Summary

This Continuous Open Announcement (COA) for Dental Assistants allows acceptance of applications throughout the year with eligible applicants being placed on a register and referred for consideration when vacancies occur. Your application will expire after 3 months. Positions are at one of the clinics under the Clinton Service Unit in the Oklahoma Area located in Clinton, El Reno, or Watonga.

Duties

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

• Receive and prepare patients for dental treatments.
• Prepare materials and equipment for use by the Dentist.
• Maintain records related to appointments, examinations, treatment, and supplies.
• Perform chairside assistance and placement of sealants and varnish.
• Perform radiological procedures (GS-3 and above).

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959, www.sss.gov

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit .

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the minimum qualifications requirements for this position, your application will be evaluated and rated under Category Rating selection procedures. Once the application process is complete, a review of your qualifications will be conducted to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The quality categories are: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within each of these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-preference eligibles.

Please note that if, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your category rating can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement and your responses to the assessment questions. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume (your resume must state specific duties that relate to this position) and your responses to the assessment questions will be evaluated against the duties you provided in your resume, along with your submitted documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following.

• Dental Instrument Application
• Interpersonal Skills
• Medical Documentation
• Technical Competence

The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: . CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• Veterans, i.e. (VEOA, VRA, and 30% or more disabled) -
• Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) -
• Interagency Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) -
• Schedule A Appointments for the Disabled -

Click here to view vacancy questions: . All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 09/30/2025, to be considered.

Required Documents

Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number.

Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: . When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
Veterans Preference: If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy). To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application () along with the appropriate supporting documentation. For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: .
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: .
Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.

You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 09/30/2025

The first Cut-off date for receipt/referral of applications to be considered for available vacant positions will be 14 days after the JOA open date.

Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for three months and may be used at any time during this period. After 3 months, you must reapply to this announcement in order to be considered.

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