Local Dental Unit Chief (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Summary This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services. This is a nonsupervisory position This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates. Responsibilities DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides primary oral health care including examination, diagnosis and treatment of patients within prescribed IHSC policy and pertinent accreditation standards at smaller, less complex solo sites(<1,000 patient census). Provides local dental program management, monitoring, training and competency testing of the local dental unit auxiliary staff. Assures strict sharps and instruments control/accountability through maintenance of prescribed daily logging and counts. Observes IHSC radiation safety protocols, EPA Radiation Protection Guidances and recommendations, National Council on Radiation Protection guidances , and American Dental Association recommendations/guidances when exposing dental radiographs to assure optimal patient and provider safety. Oversees and assures optimum sterilization and/or disinfection procedures including instrument processing and spore testing in accordance with IHSC national policy and procedure and the CDC guidelines through staff training, monitoring and competency testing. Refers patients to dental specialists through the IHSC managed care program for care or consultation when a referral is appropriate. Prescribes and/or dispenses required medication to patients. Provides day to day oversight of contract dental auxiliary staff and provides input to the Chief Dentist, HSA, and/or designated supervisory authority on contractor performance. Provides oral hygiene instruction to patients for preventive dental care. Participates in Performance Improvement Program. Serves as a resource to local facility staff on dental health issues. Provides annual dental training to local medical staff. May perform annual Peer Reviews for IHSC dentists as requested by the Chief Dentist. Serves as a project officer for tasks as assigned (e.g., equipment acquisitions, training program development, and policy and procedure revisions and development). Collects and organizes accurate dental data and submits to the Regional Dental Consultant in a timely manner. Attends monthly dental teleconferences, organizational and local duty station meetings. May periodically be asked to travel to support short term TDY missions. Other duties as assigned in support of the local medical unit and/or IHSC Dental Program. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications COMPETENCIES: Superior oral/written communication skills. Leadership skills. Active Listening skills. Reading Comprehension. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills. Demonstrates strong problem solving, judgment and decision-making skills. Integrity/Honesty. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self). The work may necessitate 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 and histology, the principles and technique of restorative dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery (note: strong oral surgery skills and experience are required.) Knowledge of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–HIPAA), and applicable accreditation standards (National Commission on Correctional Health Care, American Correctional Association, and ICE Performance Based National Detention Standards). Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and in dental software programs. Must adhere to requirements for safety, infection control, quality assurance, clinical documentation, and data management. Must pass all facility competency testing initially, annually, and as needed. Ability and proficiency to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures. Ability to communicate proficiently in English in order to develop rapport with patients, coworkers and administration. Continuous BLS certification required. Ability to respond to and oversee medical emergencies Additional Information This position is located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), Office of Deputy Assistant Director of Clinical Services. The incumbent will report directly to the local Health Services Administrator with clinical oversight provided by the clinical director, regional dental consultant and IHSC dental leadership. This is a nonsupervisory position. As the local dental unit chief, the incumbent is responsible for local dental program management, monitoring of the local dental unit auxiliary staff, and the delivery of direct patient care at smaller, less complex sites (<1,000 patient census). The local dental unit chief is responsible for performing a variety of administrative tasks directed towards the maintenance of access to oral health care services within prescribed policy and accreditation standards. IHSC has a multi-sector, multidisciplinary workforce of more than 1400 employees, including U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) commissioned officers, federal civil servants, and contract staff. The IHSC provides on-site direct patient care to ICE detainees at 22 detention facilities throughout the country and manages the provision of off-site medical care for detainees housed in approximately 240 additional Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) facilities. The ICE detainee population is approximately 34,000 detainees on a daily basis, with an average length of stay of approximately 30 days, and over 400,000 detainees annually. The IHSC also provides medical support during ICE enforcement operations in the air, on the ground and at sea. DHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: DHS ICE ERO HHS SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: DHHS USPHS CC SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The local dental unit chief works under the broad supervision of the health services administrator while clinical oversight and supervision is provided by the Regional Dental Consultant and IHSC Chief Dentist.