OPS DENTAL HYGIENIST

Requisition No: 878582


Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS DENTAL HYGIENIST - 64953373

Position Number: 64953373


Salary: Hourly rate --$35.00


Posting Closing Date: 07/09/2026


OPS DENTAL HYGIENIST

Open Competitive

This is a floating Dental Hygienist position based out of Haines City, FL. This position will require travel throughout Polk County.

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent if part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of I nnovation, C ollaboration, A ccountability, R esponsiveness and E xcellence in all aspects of their work.


Your Specific Responsibilities:

• The employee in this position provides dental hygiene services to eligible clients at the Polk County Health Department dental clinics. In addition, the dental hygienist is responsible for conducting preventive/educational dental health programs at various locations in the community. Employee reports directly to the Dental Director. However, work is performed under the supervision of the Clinic Dentist. Incumbent is expected to communicate (by phone or in person) in a courteous and professional manner at all times. Incumbent may be required to work during or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency operations functions required of the incumbent include but are not limited to special needs shelters, Red Cross shelters, or other emergency functions.
• Performs dental prophylaxis; scaling and root planning procedures; exposes dental radiographs, instructs patients in preventive dental techniques, including proper tooth brushing and flossing techniques; and applies dental sealants.
• Plans, develops and conducts dental health education or prevention programs, including infection control and OSHA topics. Presents in-service training programs on Dental Health care practice for clinic and school. Develops and evaluates educational materials and resources.
• Completes and maintains dental records of patients in accordance with County Health Department dental policies and state guidelines established for the dental program. Develops and maintains an effective and systematic patient recall system for all eligible patients. Is responsible for the implementation and utilization of this recall system.
• Attends staff meetings and performs related work as required.
• Complies with all Department of Health and Dental security and confidentiality rules and requirements.
• This position serves a large population of Spanish /Creole speaking clients and employee may be required to perform interpreter duties, if bilingual.
• Employee in this position maybe required to travel to all PCHD dental clinics to perform the above duties.
• Other duties assigned by supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of methods and techniques of dental hygiene.
• Knowledge of agency policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of general office procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic.
• Skills in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skills in problem solving.
• Skills in computer software application.
• Skills in coordination.
• Ability to perform clinical hygiene procedures.
• Ability to prepare and maintain dental records.
• Ability to provide chair-side assistance, including prepare, clean, and maintain dental equipment and instruments.
• Ability to provide counsel and instruction to patient and family on dental care and treatments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to speak effectively and to adopt lecture material for presentation to various types of audiences.
• Ability to supervise people.

Qualifications:

Minimum

• This occupation requires licensure as a Dental Hygienist in accordance with Chapter 466, Florida Statutes.
• Valid Florida Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Preferred

• Current valid CPR certification.
• Able to communicate with patients in a language other than English without using an interpreter

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Haines City, FL - Position will require travel throughout Polk County.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers' Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.


This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website:


If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.


The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.


Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.


The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.


Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.


The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.


Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.


If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

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