Dental Assistant

Resolution Think•Port Isabel, TX

About The Position

Resolution Think is seeking an experienced Dental Assistant to support the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC), which operates within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations under the Department of Homeland Security. IHSC provides healthcare to people in ICE custody and is committed to excellence in detention and correctional health care and to providing safe, high-quality care. The Dental Assistant provides clinical and administrative support to dentists and dental hygienists in a detention and/or residential setting, in accordance with IHSC policy, applicable accreditation standards, and relevant safety guidance. Duties include chairside assistance, operatory preparation and cleanup, instrument processing and sterilization, infection control, radiography, equipment upkeep, patient-record support, patient education, inventory and log maintenance, and dental data collection. The role may periodically involve travel to support dental care at other sites. When a dentist or dental hygienist is absent, the Dental Assistant may support the medical clinic under the direction of the supervisory authority or designee, within the scope of dental assistant practice. The position requires successful completion of a dental assisting program in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory; at least one year of recent clinical experience in the United States as a practicing dental assistant; and current, unrestricted state-required dental assisting credentials. Dental x-ray certification or qualifying evidence of radiology training, experience, and competence is also required, as applicable. The employee must maintain BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association and meet DHS personnel fitness determination requirements.

Requirements

Successful completion of a dental assisting program located in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
At least one year of recent clinical experience in the United States as a practicing dental assistant.
Current, unrestricted dental assisting certificate, license, or registration as required by the State Board of Dental Examiners in the state where the duty station is located.
Dental x-ray certification as required by the State Board of Dental Examiners in the state where the duty station is located; where the state does not certify radiology or does not allow certification for graduates of non-accredited programs, evidence of dental radiology training, experience, and competence as determined by the employing agency is required.
Maintain BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association.
Obtain an Initial Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination from the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Security Unit to be considered a qualified candidate.
Obtain a Complete Favorable Fitness Determination from the Department of Homeland Security Personnel Security Unit upon completion of initial and subsequent background investigations.

Nice To Haves

Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide clinical and administrative dental assisting support to the dentist and dental hygienist in a detention and/or residential setting.
Assist with patient treatment, including operatory setup and cleanup, following IHSC policy and CDC guidelines.
Process instruments and perform sterilization or disinfection procedures, including autoclave operation and maintenance and spore testing.
Support patient records through appointment scheduling, documentation of subjective findings and vital signs, recording dictated oral conditions, and preparing or completing dental forms.
Provide patient education, including oral hygiene and post-operative instructions and information about available care.
Take ordered digital and/or film radiographs, including bitewing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays.
Follow radiation safety protocols and applicable radiation protection guidance when exposing dental radiographs.
Maintain required logs and inventories, including biological monitoring, biopsy, sharps, instrument, chemical inventory, and maintenance logs.
Collect and organize dental data and submit it to the regional dental consultant in a timely manner.
Attend monthly dental teleconferences and organizational and local duty station meetings.
Travel periodically to support dental care at other sites, as requested.
Support the local medical unit and/or IHSC Dental Program through activities such as equipment maintenance, supply and equipment acquisition, performance improvement initiatives, and document scanning.
In the absence of the dentist and/or dental hygienist, provide support services to the medical clinic under the direction of the supervisory authority or designee, within the scope of dental assistant practice.
Maintain awareness of and comply with IHSC policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda, and accreditation standards.