Dental Hygienist

Summary The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Dental Service is one of the largest patient care – education and research enterprises in VHA. We are a tertiary medical care facility which provides quality patient‑centered care in all aspects and specialties of dentistry. This Dental Hygienist position announcement is for 1 position located at the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center Dental Clinic. Qualifications 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. Licensure: Applicants must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist with a full, current and unrestricted license in a state, territory, commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia. Certification: P.L 97‑35 – Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 1981 – requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R Part 75. 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 that meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers. Loss of Credential: Management officials will remove dental hygienists from their positions who fail to maintain the required licensure/certification – which may also result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision: All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. Foreign Education: 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. English Language Proficiency: Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Preferred Experience: Employees at this level serve as staff dental hygienists at the full performance level. They provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher‑level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist. Assignments at this level include: patient medical assessment, disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planning, radiographs/image interpretation, patient education, behavior management, management of stable medically compromised patients, instrument sharpening, inter‑service communication. Grade Determination: GS‑09 – At least one year of experience at GS‑8 demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of hygiene procedures and explanations, knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, knowledge of fluoride products, skill in detecting plaque and calculus, skill in educating patients on periodontal disease, ability to assess patient’s medical and dental conditions, ability to adapt patient environment. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15–44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 pounds), light carrying (under 15 pounds), pushing (½ hour), use of fingers, both hands required, standing (1½ hour), specific visual requirement (corrected vision accepted), and hearing without aid. Duties Perform examinations, apply topical agents such as fluoride and antibiotics, plan periodontal treatment, and provide patient education related to dental hygiene. Administer oral prophylactic and dental hygiene treatment to patients presenting a variety of conditions. Perform procedures – such as medical and dental history review to search for evidence of past and present conditions which may complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment. Review patient’s dietary habits and instruct patients in self‑care therapy and proper diet as they relate to oral health. Examine the teeth and surrounding tissues for evidence of plaque and periodontal disease and chart findings. Inspect the oral cavity and pharynx for evidence of disease – such as oral cancer. Interpret routine radiographs to identify anatomical structures – subgingival calculus – caries and periodontal pockets. Prepare dental hygiene treatment plans including assessment of the problem, type of oral hygiene care required and the sequence of appointments needed to complete treatment. Perform a complete oral prophylaxis on ambulatory and non‑ambulatory patients. Perform subgingival scaling, root planning and curettage under local anesthesia. Administer local anesthetics. Polish the teeth and apply fluoride for hypersensitivity and caries prevention. Apply locally delivered antibiotics in periodontal pockets when indicated. Desensitize root surfaces, remove sutures – and give post‑treatment instructions. Takes impressions for study casts – night guards and TMJ appliances. Instruct patients at chairside in oral hygiene – brushing, flossing techniques and the proper use of periodontal aids. Cleans – sharpens and sends all hygiene instruments to SPS for sterilization. Kept operatory supplied with all necessary equipment – instruments and disposable supplies needed for the proper treatment of patients. Electronically enter conditions of the teeth and oral tissues – progress notes – appointments and type of treatment administered by way of the CPRS (Computerized Patient Record System) and the DRM (Dental Record Manager) programs. Work Schedule: Full‑time – Mon‑Fri 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized. Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000; Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized; Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized; PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized; Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs