Dental Assistant

Indian Health Service • Inscription House, AZ

17d

About The Position

The Dental Assistant position is located at the Kayenta Service Unit within the Indian Health Service (IHS). The role supports the dental team by performing dental assistant duties so the team can function smoothly and serve the intended population. The position provides chairside, clinical, patient-care, instrument-processing, and clinic-maintenance support. A REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification document or driver's license is required if used for identification; the posting notes that REAL ID requirements begin May 7, 2025.

Requirements

• Meet the radiologic personnel credentialing requirements described in 42 CFR Part 75, including qualifying education and radiographer certification, or meet one of the stated provisions for personnel employed before or after January 13, 1986.
• For GS-02, have at least three months of qualifying general experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or familiarity with customer service, record keeping, and clinic maintenance duties, or be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• For GS-03, have at least six months of qualifying general experience demonstrating ability to perform the work or familiarity with customer service, record keeping, and clinic maintenance duties; or meet the specified dental assistant, dental hygiene, or practical nurse education alternative; or combine education and experience to meet the qualification requirement.
• Federal competitive-service merit promotion candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level; this time-in-grade requirement does not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Pass the E-Verify employment verification check and establish direct deposit.
• Successfully complete a federal background investigation, and complete required investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance.
• Meet the financial suitability review requirements, including demonstrating financial responsibility and satisfying legal financial obligations.
• Present two valid forms of identification before appointment; any state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy if duties require working in an IHS healthcare facility.
• Provide sufficient resume detail about experience and education, including duties, responsibilities, and hours per week.

Nice To Haves

• A high school diploma or equivalent can qualify an applicant at the GS-02 level.
• A one-year dental assistant program, or one year of an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program that includes the specified radiology coursework, can qualify an applicant at the GS-03 level.
• Practical nurse training approved by the appropriate state, territorial, or District of Columbia accrediting body can qualify an applicant at the GS-03 level.
• Submission of unofficial transcripts or a list of courses, credit hours, and grades is encouraged when using education to qualify.

Responsibilities

• Provide chairside assistance during routine dental procedures, including instrument setup and support for patient treatment.
• Perform specified clinical procedures under appropriate supervision, including preliminary impressions, suture removal, rubber dam placement and removal, coronal polishing, topical fluoride application, and placement of pit and fissure sealants.
• Take and record blood pressure and collect patient history.
• Expose, mount, and store intra- and extra-oral digital radiographs accurately.
• Clean, disinfect, package, sterilize, and store dental instruments and equipment.
• Maintain the clinic according to infection-control requirements.
• Schedule and seat patients, record treatment, and communicate post-treatment and home-care instructions.
• Participate in quality improvement and community outreach activities.

Benefits

• Federal annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, depending on federal service.
• IHS may credit directly related previous non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• IHS offers a total compensation package; the posting refers applicants to the Dental Assistant Total Compensation information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed