Summary 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. This position is only open to current USPHS officers. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Responsibilities 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 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 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.
