The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The purpose of this position is to. serve as a Dental Hygienist and provide direct patient care under the general supervision of a Dentist assigned the Dental Service and performs other clinical functions independently of direct supervision. A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program. The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved programs are: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). (2) [Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited United States programs and would enable the candidate to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, which is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations.] Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Licensure/Certification - (1) Licensure. Applicants must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist with a full, current and unrestricted license in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. (2) Certification. P.L. 97-35, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981, requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel. To meet this requirement, they must 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 be certified as radiographers in their field. Accredited dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Dental Hygienist, GS-09 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each. ii. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films. iii. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application. iv. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure. v. Skill in educating patients and caregivers on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, and effects of illness, addictions, medications and tobacco on the oral cavity. vi. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care. vii. Ability to assess the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health, recognize age-related changes in individual patients, adapt patient environment, and maximize patient's physical comfort. Preferred Experience: 3 to 5 years Preferred Experiences in dental hygiene Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standard dental procedures used in dental hygiene and periodontal care and procedures. Ability to monitor and perform basis interpretation of vital signs Ability to independently provide procedure specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. References: APPENDIX G37. DENTAL HYGIENIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0682 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 9. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; use of both hands; walking 4 hours; standing 4 hours; sitting 4 hours; repeated bending 4 hours, body in awkward positions while performing dental work; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously ["The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The purpose of this position is to. serve as a Dental Hygienist and provide direct patient care under the general supervision of a Dentist assigned the Dental Service and performs other clinical functions independently of direct supervision. Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions, gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planning procedures. The Dental Hygienist sets up operatory for planned dental procedure by cleaning dental unit for timely turnover and handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable, manages dental recall system, referring patients to the Dentist for additional care when needed. Applies desensitizing and sealant materials, makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays, and provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition. Performs dental imaging which consists of taking digital and/or conventional radiographs of in-patients and outpatients according to prescription, including periapical, bitewing, occlusal, panoramic, cephalometric, and 30 imaging. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized, therefore, imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for a highly qualified candidate Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
