Registered Dental Hygienist - Part-Time/Temp or Full-Time

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
English Language Proficiency
Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program
The degree must have been obtained from am institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed
Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
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 or Commonwealth of the United States - or the District of Columbia
97-35 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981 - requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.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
Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental hygienist under the authority of 38 U.7405(c)(2)(B) - Temporary Full-Time Appointments - Part-Time Appointments and Without Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years
Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level
Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
Grade Determinations: GS-09 Dental Hygienist - Experience Requirement: Must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) and fully meet the following KSAs at the GS-08 level
Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training
to understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic use
Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters
Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients - outpatients - Nursing Home Care Unit patients - etc
GS-09 Dental Hygienist Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-08 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (must be clearly demonstrated in your resume): Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
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
Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
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
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care Assists customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery
Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals - personal preferences - and freedom of choice
Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family-centered care in written care plans - instructions to patients - and in observation of the actual care provided
Patient Care Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
Complies with patient identification - time-out - and reusable medical equipment processes
Takes and records vital signs - reviews medical history and charts oral conditions
Assesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities
Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable
Patient Education Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition
Explains hygiene procedures - indications - complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver
Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease - wellness - health maintenance - oral hygiene practices - parafunctional habits - and effect of illness - addictions - medications - and tobacco on the oral cavity
Dental Imaging Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed
Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes
Infection control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing images
Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments
Follows computer security regulations
Modifies care based on patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities
Completes mandatory annual training sessions
Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm (Intermittent - 2-3 Saturdays per month) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 59265F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

#Department of Veterans Affairs