Dental Assistant

PPDG may have future opportunities for Healthcare and Healthcare Support positions in support of ICE Health Service Corps at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Medical Facility.

INTRODUCTION

The ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC) exists within the organizational structure of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Officers, civil service staff and contractors comprise the healthcare professionals working together to provide quality healthcare services. IHSC serves as the medical experts for ICE detainee health care. IHSC is committed to excellence in detention and correctional health care and the provision of safe and high-quality care to those in ICE custody.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The dental assistant performs dental assisting duties that facilitate the work of the dentist and dental hygienist including chairside assisting, instrument processing, sterilization, infection control, radiographic duties, dental equipment upkeep, and administrative tasks as directed by the dentist within prescribed policy and accreditation standards.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Applicant must demonstrate successful completion of a dental assisting program located in the United States, the District of Columbia, or U.S. territory.
2. Applicant must have at least one year recent clinical experience in the United Sates as a practicing dental assistant.

REQURED LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION

1. Must hold and maintain a current unrestricted dental assisting certificate, license, or registration as required by the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) in the state in which the duty station is located.
2. Must hold and maintain dental x-ray certification as required by the SBDE in the state in which the duty station is located OR if the applicant practices in a state that does not certify radiology or does not allow certification for graduates of non-accredited programs, the applicant must submit evidence of dental radiology training, experience, and competence as determined by the employing agency.
3. Dental Assistant National Board (DANB) certification is preferred but not required.
4. Must maintain BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association.

ATTRIBUTES AND PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES

1. Demonstrates strong problem solving, judgment, and decision-making skills.
2. Demonstrates strong leadership skills.
3. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills.
4. Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.

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5. Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
6. Demonstrates integrity and honesty.
7. Verbal and written proficiency in Spanish (preferred, not required).
8. Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge and understanding of dental assisting principles such as four handed dentistry, basic oral anatomy, dental materials, infection control, dental radiology technique and safety.
2. Must adhere to requirements for safety, infection control, quality assurance, documentation, and data management.
3. Completes and passes all competency testing initially, annually, and as needed.
4. Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
5. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures.
6. Ability to communicate proficiently in English (verbal and written).
7. Ability to respond to and assist with medical emergencies.
8. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-lingual environment.
9. Ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and flexibility in work requirements.
10. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships in a multidisciplinary environment.
11. Ability to navigate in an electronic work environment including electronic health records, web based training and communications.
12. Knowledge of, and moderate proficiency in, common Microsoft Office programs, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint.
13. Knowledge of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records and information (HIPAA/Privacy Act) and applicable accreditation standards.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides dental assisting including clinical and administrative duties to facilitate the work of the dentist and dental hygienist in a detention and/or residential setting in accordance with prescribed IHSC policy and pertinent accreditation standards.
2. Assists the dentist and dental hygienist with patient treatment including all operatory set-up and clean-up procedures in accordance with IHSC policy and CDC guidelines (e.g. surface disinfection, waterline and suction treatment, proper sharps handling/disposal methods, etc).
3. Performs optimum sterilization and/or disinfection procedures including instrument processing, autoclave operation/maintenance, and spore testing in accordance with IHSC policy and CDC guidelines.
4. Assists with the maintenance of patient’s record through appointment scheduling, documentation of subjective findings, vital signs, dictated oral conditions, and preparation/completion of dental forms.
5. Provides patient education including oral hygiene instructions, post-operative instructions, and availability of care instructions.
6. Takes digital and/or film radiographs as ordered including bitewing, periapical, and

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panoramic x-rays.

7. Observes IHSC radiation safety protocols, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radiation Protection Guidance and recommendations, National Council on Radiation Protection Guidance, and American Dental Association recommendations/guidance when exposing dental radiographs to assure optimal patient and provider safety.
8. Maintains sharps and instrument accountability in the dental clinic through performance and logging of daily inventory of all sharps and instruments at the beginning and end of each workday.
9. Maintains all required logs/ inventories to include but not limited to biological monitoring log, biopsy log, sharps log, instrument log, chemical inventory, maintenance logs, etc.
10. Collects and organizes dental data and submits to the regional dental consultant in a timely manner.
11. Attends monthly dental teleconferences, organizational and local duty station meetings.
12. May periodically be asked to travel to support dental care at other sites.
13. Performs duties in support of the local medical unit and/or IHSC Dental Program (e.g. equipment maintenance, supply/equipment acquisition, performance improvement initiatives, document scanning, etc).
14. In the absence of the dentist and/or dental hygienist, the dental assistant will provide support services to the medical clinic under the direction of the supervisory authority or designee (e.g. performing vital signs and/or other duties within the scope of dental assistant practice).
15. Adheres to and maintains awareness of all IHSC policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda and accreditation standards.

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

1. The Department of Homeland Security’s Personnel Security Unit (PSU) must render an Initial Preliminary Favorable Fitness Determination to be considered a qualified candidate.
2. A Complete Favorable Fitness Determination must be rendered by PSU upon completion of initial, and between, subsequent background investigations to meet the requirements of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking or jogging unaided over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy patients or equipment.
2. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as agility and dexterity, visual, and hearing capabilities.
3. Must be able to respond to any medical emergency in the facility, via foot, within four minutes and perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
4. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building during an emergency.