Dental Hygienist

Summary This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - Columbia VA Health Care System in the Dental Services. Employees at this level serve as a dental hygienist at the full performance level. 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.

Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

To qualify for appointment as a dental hygienist - all applicants must possess the following

Citizenship

Be a Citizen of the United States

Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens

English Language Proficiency

Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)

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/Certification

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

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

GRADE DETERMINATIONS Experience: At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level

Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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

Assignments: 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 but are not limited to patient medical assessment (e.g

medical/dental history - social history - vital signs - full periodontal assessment and charting) - disease and treatment management recommendations - denture care - scaling and root planing - radiographs/image interpretation - patient education (e.g

post-procedure tobacco cessation - caries and perio-disease prevention) - behavior management - management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors) - instrument sharpening - inter-service communication

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

Major duties include - but are not limited to: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public

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

Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge - values - beliefs - and cultural backgrounds

Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families

Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely

Administers topical anesthetic agents

Applies desensitizing agents

Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps - water lines - etc

Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control

Assesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbiditie

Assesses the impact of patient's medical - dental condition on maintaining or health

Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients - adapts patient

environment - and maximizes patient's physical comfort

Provides routine oral prophylactic care

Provides gross debridement - scaling and root planning procedures

Provides subgingival curettage

Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable

Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes

Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed

Administers topical anesthetic agents

Applies desensitizing agents

Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps - water lines - Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols

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

Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standardsPrepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care

Clerical Functions - Assists patients in scheduling appointments - assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments

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)

modifies care based on patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities

Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients

Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC requirements

Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress

Complies with Employee Education requirements - Completes mandatory annual training sessions - maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure - certifications

Work Schedule: Intermittent - 7:30am-4:00pm 2-3 Saturdays per month

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 544-59276F - 544-59285F - 54-59286F - 544-59287F - 544-59265F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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