Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides management and oversight of a solo dental unit. Supervises and serves as the leave granting authority for 1-2 federal auxiliary dental staff (i.e., registered dental hygienists and dental assistants) at the facility and/or provides clinical oversight of contract dental auxiliary staff (if part of staffing model). Provides input to the IHSC regional dental consultant, clinical director, health services administrator, and/or designated supervisory authority on contractor clinical performance. Provides orientation, training, and competency testing for the local auxiliary dental unit staff. Provides emergent, urgent, and routine oral health care at a high level of independence for medically and dentally complex patient population in accordance with IHSC policy and accreditation standards. Refers patients to off-site dental providers through the IHSC referral process for care or consultation when necessary. Performs electronic health record documentation and forms management in accordance with IHSC policy. Judgment failure could cause delays in provision of dental services and result in decreased quantity or quality of care.
Serves as the responsible dental health authority for the facility on behalf of the health services administrator. Collaborates with multiple stakeholders including IHSC, ICE, and detention staff to plan and administer all aspects of dental unit operations: patient care, budget, management, scheduling, staffing, training, evaluations, supplies, equipment, and maintenance. Prepares and guides dental program through 5+ recurring independent accreditations and reviews.
Develops, oversees, and monitors dental clinic environmental health and safety protocols including hazardous materials management, radiation safety, and sharps/instruments safety in accordance with IHSC policy. Oversees and assures optimum sterilization and disinfection procedures in the dental clinic in accordance with IHSC policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Provides initial and annual dental training to qualified health care professionals.
Participates in local and national quality improvement initiatives. May perform peer reviews for IHSC dentists as requested by the IHSC chief dentist.
Utilizes extensive knowledge base and independent judgement to serve as a project officer for tasks as assigned (e.g., equipment acquisitions, training program development, and policy and procedure revisions and development). Attends national dental teleconferences, agency teleconferences, and local duty station meetings. Collects, organizes, and submits dental data.
Position may require periodic TDY travel in support of the mission.
Other duties as assigned in support of the local medical unit and/or IHSC dental program.
Adheres to IHSC policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda, and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE and IHSC.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation.
- You must successfully pass a drug screen.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
- Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
- Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate. Civilians are not eligible for this position.
Qualifications
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This position is considered hazardous duty in a detention setting.
Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging patients or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
Work necessitates some physical characteristics that will be required when responding to an emergency situation, such as running short distance, prolonged standing and working in an austere environment.
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Graduate from a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) program accredited by American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation located in a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
Possess and maintain a current unrestricted license to practice dentistry in a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
Minimum 3 years clinical experience.
Knowledge of dental science such as oral anatomy, oral physiology, restorative dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery (note: strong oral surgery skills and experience are required).
Competent in use of equipment, materials, and supplies in dental diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Expertise in dental clinic environmental health, infection control, patient/staff safety protocols, quality assurance, documentation, and data management.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and dental software programs.
Continuous BLS certification required.
Ability to respond to and oversee medical emergencies.
Additional information
This is a U.S. Public Health Service position within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Clinical Services Division, Medical Services Unit, Dental Program. This is a supervisory position.
The local chief dentist, solo is responsible for local dental program management, supervision and monitoring of the local dental unit staff, and delivery of direct patient care at the assigned facility. The local chief dentist, solo serves as the senior dental professional for the local dental unit and is responsible for performing clinical and administrative tasks directed towards the maintenance of access to oral health care services within prescribed policy and accreditation standards.
ICE Health Service Corps administered and managed a health care system that provided direct care to over 88,000 detainees housed at 21 designated facilities throughout the nation. The health care provided includes medical, dental, and mental health care, and public health services. IHSC also provides medical case management and oversight for an additional 169,000 detainees housed at approximately 150 non-IHSC-staffed facilities across the country. In addition, IHSC oversees the financial authorization and payment for off-site specialty and emergency care services for detainees in ICE custody. In Fiscal Year 2021, there were a total of 205,242 individuals in ICE custody, with an average length of stay of 37 days. IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:
The first line supervisor for the local chief dentist, solo is the clinical director and the reviewing official is the regional dental consultant. Assignments are usually long-term, recurring, or broadly defined. The local chief dentist, solo manages all local dental clinic operations, plans and organizes own work, determines the sequence of assignments, selects and develops methods, and seeks assistance from experts and supervisor only rarely. Clinical practice is periodically reviewed through peer review. The officer keeps supervisor and/or dental leadership informed of status of projects and consults with them on any significant problems encountered.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be selected for an interview at the hiring authority's discretion. You will be notified of selection or non-selection.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits .
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position. A complete application includes:
U. S. Public Health Service Officers - Cover Letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
- Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
- Professional license. (If applicable)
- Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
- Three professional references. (i.e., name, title and contact information)
- Official USPHS Promotion CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
- A copy of your Certificate of Investigation (located in your eOPF).
- *Three most recent Commissioned Officer Effectiveness Reports (COER). (Place under "Performance Appraisal")
- For IHSC USPHS officers only, a copy of your current Service Remaining Requirements Agreement.
- Indicate if you have an Assignment Pay (AP) Agreement and the date of the end of your AP Agreement.
New Call to Active Duty - Cover letter/Letter of Interest. Please include location preference here.
- Degrees. (Place under "Diploma/GED")
- Professional license. (If applicable)
- Additional professional certificates. (If applicable)
- Three professional references (i.e., name, title, and contact information)
- CV - e.g., relevant experience, education, training. (Place under "Resume")
- U.S. Public Health Service - Appointment Board Decision Letter/Email.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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