Clarification from the agency

This is an EXTERNAL job announcement. All applicants applying under this external announcement will be subject to Veterans' preference. Current permanent STVHCS employees, current permanent VA Nationwide employees, and current permanent employees from another Federal Agency MUST apply under the internal announcement, CAZM-11504110-22-JS unless applying by using Veteran Preference.

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Assignments 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 planning, 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 and inter-service communication.

Duties include:

Customer Service - 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.
Patient Care - Sets up operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Assists with initial or recall exam by taking radiographs and performing full mouth probing. Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions. Provides gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planning procedures. Cleans dental prosthesis, 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 and accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols.
Patient Education - Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition and document in CPRS. Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatient, and caregivers.
Dental Imaging - Images are taken (as ordered by a Dentist) and characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.
Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization - Demonstrate 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. Meets all RME Mandates.
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. Assists in answering patient concerns.
Information Management - Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.
Patient Safety - Modifies care as appropriate for patients' age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per JC Joint Commission requirements and 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.
Specialty Functions - Administrates Anesthesia if licensed in the state the Hygienist received the licensed, accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education: Associate Degree or higher in an accredited dental hygiene program. This program must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
• 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: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, 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 which will meet the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
  • Exception: 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.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed 2 years. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment.
• English Language Proficiency: Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Preferred Experience:
1.) 3-5 years Preferred Experiences in dental hygiene.
2.) Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standard dental procedures used in dental hygiene and periodontal care and procedures.
3.) Ability to assess patient medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment charting.
4.)Ability to provide disease and treatment management recommendations, dentur care, scaling and root planning.
5.) Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist.
6.) Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats.6.) Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.
7.) Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records.

Grade Determinations: Dental Hygienist, GS-09

(a) Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-8) that demonstrates the clinical competencies which include:
i. Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training.
ii. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately; 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; and to present for viewing.
iii. Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters.
iv. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.
AND
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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/73 Part II Appendix G37 dated July 23, 2021.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09.

Physical Requirements: The position will require moderate lifting under (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4 hours), and standing (4 hours); specific vision requirement (DVA & NVA Binocular 20); ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing aid maybe permitted; mental & emotional stability.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.