Summary

Dental Hygienists provide direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level

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: a
• Citizenship
• Be a Citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [38 U.S.C § 7407(a) - Administrative Provisions for Section 7405 and 7406 Appointments.] b
• 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
• c
• Licensure/Certification (1) 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
• 2) 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
• (3) 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
• d
• 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
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• e
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - 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
• f
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• g
• English Language Proficiency
• Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3.b. - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Dental Hygienist - GS-09: 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: i
• Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
• ii
• Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
• iii
• Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
• iv
• Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
• v
• 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
• vi
• Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
• vii
• 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
• 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: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds) - walking 2 hours - standing 6 hours
• **This is an Open Continuous Announcement
• This means that this announcement will remain open until filled OR 12/31/2025 - which ever is first
• Applications will be reviewed on a regular basis.**

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities are - but not limited to Customer Service/Veteran Centered Care: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers - and the public Provides assistance to 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 Patient Care: Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently Assesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities Assesses 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 Provides routine oral phrophylactic care to include application of appropriate fluoride solutions Provides gross debridement - scaling and root planing procedures Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays Administers topical anesthetic agents Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols Patient Education: Provides appropriate patient education Explains hygiene procedures - indications - complications and expected outcomes to individuals or care givers Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease - oral hygiene practices - parafunctional habits - and effect of illness - addictions - medications and tobacco on the oral cavity Dental Imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized Infection Control Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Charts findings - treatment plans - and treatment provided in patient records Patient Safety: Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities 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 Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Work Schedule: Full Time
• Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 40169F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized