Dental Assistant (Open Continuous)

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Radiological Certification Requirements for GS-3 and GS-4
NOTE: 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.

If you wish to be considered for positions at the GS-3/4 grade levels, then you must have a current I.H.S. or a State (or foreign jurisdiction) dental radiological health and safety certification of competency or proof of otherwise meeting the above-described requirement.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-02: Applicant(s) must meet one of the following minimum requirements to meet the GS-02 level:

• Your resume must demonstrate at least 3 months of general experience that shows your ability to perform the work of the position, or a familiarity with customer service, record-keeping, and clinic maintenance duties; OR
• Successfully completed a high school education or equivalent.

GS-03: Applicant(s) must meet one of the following minimum requirements to meet the GS-03 level:

• Your resume must demonstrate at least 6 months of general experience that shows your ability to perform the work of the position, or a familiarity with customer service, record-keeping, and clinic maintenance duties; OR
• Successful completion of (a) a 1-year dental assistant program or completion of 1-year of a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included a course in radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality, radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting; or (b) practical nurse training approved by the appropriate State, territory, or District of Columbia accrediting body; OR
• Combination of education and experience that when fully combined meets the minimum requirements for this position.

GS-04: Applicant(s) must meet one of the following minimum requirements to meet the GS-04 level:

• Your resume must demonstrate 6 months of general experience that shows your ability to perform the work of the position, or a familiarity with customer service, record-keeping, and clinic maintenance duties; AND at least 6 months of specialized experience. Specialized experience includes providing chairside assistance, setting up proper instruments for dental procedures, recording treatments rendered, providing receptionist services, and exposing and processing digital oral x-rays. Qualifying specialized experience is work providing dental assistance to general or specialized dentistry, dental assistant (expanded function) work, or any combination of these appropriate to the position(s) being filled, OR
• Successful completion of a 2-year dental assistant program or completion of a 2-year dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Accreditation that included at least 12 semester hours of courses such as radiation physics; radiation biology; radiation health, safety, and protection; X-ray films and radiographic film quality, radiographic techniques; darkroom and processing techniques; and film mounting; OR
• Combination of education and experience that when fully combined meets the minimum requirements for this position.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.