Dental Hygienist
The Dental Hygienist is responsible for the following duties but not limited to:
Planning and administering a hospital-wide preventive dentistry program. The program is designed to provide dental hygiene treatment, education to patients, and education about preventive dentistry to medical center staff. Performs oral prophylaxis on inpatients and outpatients. Screens patients' health histories to detect conditions requiring modification of treatment plans. Provides preventive dentistry instruction to inpatients and outpatients. Examines the oral cavity of each patient and notes any abnormal pathology. Assists a dentist by performing such activities as suctioning and passing instruments in cases where a dentist needs an assistant and one is not available. Maintains a clean, organized operatory free of unnecessary clutter and unused equipment and supplies. Handles sharps in a safe manner. Disinfects dental equipment when appropriate following the Dental Department policies and procedures. Consistently responds to patients, families, visitors and co-workers requests for assistance promptly and in a friendly and cooperative manner. Work Schedule:
Week 1:
Monday-Thursday 0700-1630, Week 2:
0700-1630, F 0700-1530 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Grade Determinations:
GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience at the lower level include but not limited to:
patient assessments (e.g. risk assessments, oral health assessments), prevention recommendations, prophylaxis, periodontal treatment for mild to moderate disease (e.g. scaling and root planning, full mouth debridement), Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) radiograph/image capture, fluoride treatment application, topical anesthesia administration, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities for safe patient care; 2. 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; 3. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure; 4. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application; 5. Knowledge of hygiene procedures in order to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each; 6. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films; and 7. 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. References:
VHA Handbook 5005/73 Part II Appendix G37 The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. Physical Requirements:
Light lifting, under 15 pounds, light carrying, 15-44 pounds, use of fingers, both eyes (near & distant vision corrected or uncorrected), ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing without aid, emotionally and mental stability.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Planning and administering a hospital-wide preventive dentistry program. The program is designed to provide dental hygiene treatment, education to patients, and education about preventive dentistry to medical center staff. Performs oral prophylaxis on inpatients and outpatients. Screens patients' health histories to detect conditions requiring modification of treatment plans. Provides preventive dentistry instruction to inpatients and outpatients. Examines the oral cavity of each patient and notes any abnormal pathology. Assists a dentist by performing such activities as suctioning and passing instruments in cases where a dentist needs an assistant and one is not available. Maintains a clean, organized operatory free of unnecessary clutter and unused equipment and supplies. Handles sharps in a safe manner. Disinfects dental equipment when appropriate following the Dental Department policies and procedures. Consistently responds to patients, families, visitors and co-workers requests for assistance promptly and in a friendly and cooperative manner. Work Schedule:
Week 1:
Monday-Thursday 0700-1630, Week 2:
0700-1630, F 0700-1530 Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Grade Determinations:
GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience at the lower level include but not limited to:
patient assessments (e.g. risk assessments, oral health assessments), prevention recommendations, prophylaxis, periodontal treatment for mild to moderate disease (e.g. scaling and root planning, full mouth debridement), Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) radiograph/image capture, fluoride treatment application, topical anesthesia administration, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities for safe patient care; 2. 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; 3. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure; 4. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application; 5. Knowledge of hygiene procedures in order to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each; 6. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films; and 7. 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. References:
VHA Handbook 5005/73 Part II Appendix G37 The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. Physical Requirements:
Light lifting, under 15 pounds, light carrying, 15-44 pounds, use of fingers, both eyes (near & distant vision corrected or uncorrected), ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing without aid, emotionally and mental stability.
- Department:
0682 Dental Hygiene - Salary Range:
$53,584 to $69,661 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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