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Dental Assistant

Department of Defense
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA
Army Health Center McDonald - Tignor Dental Clinic

Summary

About the Position: This position falls under the Defense Health Agency-Atlantic Network at the Army Medical Center McDonald Directorate of Dental Tignor Dentail Clinic, receiving and scheduling patients, assisting in complex restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic, orthodontic, or periodontal treatment, including, but not limited to, crowns, bridges, extractions, root canals, bone grafts and gingival transplants. Hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/01/2025 to 12/08/2025
Salary
$40,931 to - $53,206 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Eustis, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Highly qualified candidates may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
HSJT-26-12842950-DHA
Control number
851231100

Duties

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  • Serve as an assistant primarily supporting a dental specialist.
  • Assist in restorative, prosthodontic, oral surgical, endodontic, orthodontic, or periodontal treatment, including, but not limited to, crowns, bridges, extractions, root canals, bone grafts and gingival transplants.
  • Receive and schedule patients for treatment.
  • Chart examination and treatment information.
  • Record information on prescriptions.
  • Sterilize instruments, materials, and equipment; prepares surgical trays.
  • Perform intra-oral procedures as directed by dentist.
  • Take preliminary impressions for study models, remove sutures, place and remove rubber dams, perio-packs, matrix bands, and wedges.
  • Instruct patient in proper dental techniques, care of appliances, and causes of dental decay.
  • Operate dental X-ray equipment to take intra and extra oral radiographs.
  • Pour and trim models from impressions and constructs custom impression trays.
  • Maintain a variety of recurring reports related to dental activities.
  • Aid in the training of trainee dental assistants and student, observing and advising trainees and students as they perform these duties.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • This position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
  • This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
  • Must be certified as a radiographer and have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in 42 CFR Part 75.
  • This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
  • This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
  • Required to lift up to 40 lbs.
  • This position has mandatory seasonal Influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal Influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire).

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Dental Assistant:

Radiology Certification:
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.


In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience:
One year of specialized experience which includes providing chair side assistance supporting a dental specialist by performing intra-oral procedures, maintaining patient related records or charts, and operating dental x-ray equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04). (Experience must be supported by your resume).

OR

Education: Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in a dental assistant or dental hygiene program that included at least 24 semester hours of courses 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. (Transcripts are required with the application).

OR

Combination of Education and Experience
: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. (Transcripts are required with the application)

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentives MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Enhanced Leave Accrual MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Advanced In-Hire (salary negotiations) MAY be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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