Dental Hygienist

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm; Subject to change based on facility needs. The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care and receives guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and requires only general supervision from a dentist. Key Responsibilities The duties of the Dental Hygienist include, but are not limited to: Patient Care: Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions. Provides gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planning procedures. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed. Applies desensitizing and sealant materials. Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays. Administers topical anesthetic agents. Administers local anesthetic (per State license). Administers local anti-infective agents per direction of dentist. Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co- workers and public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns provides service recovery. Patient Education: Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition. Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients outpatients, and caregivers. Dental imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions: Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments, charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records. Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety: Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patient. Participates in patient information and time out per JCAHO requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs for physical distress. Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Prepares and present monthly Safety training to Dental Service Line Staff. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm; Subject to change based on facility needs. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-02424F, 580-02425F, 580-02426F, 580-02427F, 580-02428F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Requirements & Education QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED Preferred Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in specialty care preferred. Experience providing dental hygiene for medically complex patients preferred. Minimum of two years of experience in a high-volume clinic setting preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Which agency is hiring for this position? This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. What is the salary for this position? The posted pay range is $46979 – $92541/yr. What is the application deadline? Applications close on 2026-11-06. What is the work schedule? This is a Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm; Subject to change based on facility needs. position. Who is eligible to apply? This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs