Dentist
What you'd do
Join the Indian Health Service and make a meaningful impact on the oral health of American Indian communities. As a Dentist, you will provide comprehensive, patient-centered care, manage complex cases, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary healthcare team while advancing health equity and improving community well-being. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).
Major duties
Provides comprehensive dental care, including examinations, diagnosis, treatment planning, restorative procedures, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, and emergency dental services. Independently evaluates and manages complex dental conditions, adapting treatment approaches as needed and coordinating care with medical providers for patients with complex health or behavioral needs. Delivers patient education and preventive care services, ensuring patients understand treatment options, risks, and post-treatment care while addressing diverse cultural and socioeconomic needs. Provides consultation and professional guidance to healthcare providers and dental staff regarding dental health issues and their impact on overall patient health. Maintains clinical records, participates in quality improvement and infection control activities, supports program operations, and contributes to clinical committees and strategic planning initiatives. Requirements: (Continued) IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance. 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. 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. Physical Demands: The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients. Additional Information: (Continued) Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position maybe covered by a Bargaining Unit. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A service agreement will be required.
What you need to qualify
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. The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration within 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified. The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are actively completing a required professional training program and are expected to complete such program within 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Education: Applicants must have a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from a school approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) or the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Licensure: Applicants must have passed the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) which are developed and administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) and possess a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States. Applicants who meet the above basic requirements qualify for the GS-11 grade level. Experience: In addition to meeting the above education and licensure requirements, applicants must have one or more full years of experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing professional dentistry work for GS-12 level and above assignments. Qualifying experience involves the evaluation, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases, injuries, and disorders of the oral cavity and maxillofacial area. Examples of dentistry experience may include the removal of decay; filling cavities; straightening, extracting, and repairing teeth; treating gum diseases; performing corrective surgery; making measurements/models for dentures to replace missing teeth, administering anesthetics, writing prescriptions; and performing other requirements of the position. Additional Requirements for the GS-12 (or equivalent) Grade Level In addition to the above Basic Requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) level, applicants must complete a 2-year residency program in dentistry, oral health, craniofacial sciences, or a related medical science; or equivalent experience, equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, and/or training. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Providing restorative, pediatric, periodontic, endodontic, prosthodontic, diagnostic, surgical, and preventative dental services; Performing oral surgeries, such as extraction of impacted teeth or full mouth extraction; Performing prosthodontic cases, including crown/bridges, complete dentures, and relines; Performing routine pedodontics procedures, as well as treating cases of rampant caries in children; Performing case management and treatment of medically complex cases; and obtaining medical clearances in order to provide comprehensive dental care. You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for consideration.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
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