Dental Assistant

About the Position: This position is located at Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital's Dental Oral Surgery Section in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized.
• Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

Serve as assistant to an oral surgeon in a variety of complex oral maxillofacial procedures. | Take preliminary dental impressions and intra and extra-oral radiographs. | Prepare and maintain operating room and equipment in surgical section of the dental laboratory. | Monitor patient under general anesthesia or sedation throughout surgery. | Provide oral hygiene instructions for care of prosthodontic appliances. | Chart examination and treatment information as relayed by dental specialist to patient records. | Aid in training of dental assistant trainees and students.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Dental Assistant GS-06 Qualification Requirements:

Radiology Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (1) have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements:

(1) Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others.

(2) Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence, as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes providing chair side assistance supporting a dental specialist by performing performing intra-oral procedures, operating dental x-ray equipment, and assisting in training subordinate dental staff or students. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: A half year (i.e., 9 semester hours) of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Dental Hygiene, Dentistry.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 9. Add the two percentages.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. | A Personnel Security Investigation is required. | Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption. | This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing. | A pre-placement medical examination is required. | Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position. | Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS. | Moderate to heavy lifting up to 20 pounds may be required.