Summary

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. It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 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 (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
• 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 Current VA employees 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)
• Grade Determinations: Dental Hygienist - GS-10 (Advanced Clinical) (a) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the position being filled fully meets the KSAs at that level
• (b) Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• At this level - dental hygienists are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas
• Employee assignments may include but are not limited to advanced patient assessments/clinical evaluations (blood glucose levels - medication reconciliation - oral cancer screening - dietary analysis for caries risk - pulse oximeter - comprehensive periodontal charting) - prophylaxis in complex restorative cases (e.g
• multiple dental implants - orthognathic - post-surgical trauma - etc.) - advanced scaling and root planing (ability to use advanced modalities) with or without soft-tissue curettage - advanced radiographic studies (cone beam computed tomography (CT) - cephalometric) - local anesthesia administration - advanced adjunctive treatment (xerostomia treatment recommendations - sulcular lavage - placement of intrasulcular medicaments - applying and removing periodontal surgical dressings - orthodontic care - sealant placement - occlusion adjustment - placement of desensitizing agents - professional whitening procedures) - individual and group oral hygiene instructions for special-needs populations - elevated educational instruction - development of training materials/presentations) - management of medically and/or behaviorally compromised patients - and collaboration with other disciplines
• In addition to meeting the knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) for the GS-09 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i
• Knowledge of medical assessment techniques including interviewing and evaluating clinical findings (e.g
• normal and critical lab values) to adapt treatment based on medical and psychological issues
• ii
• Advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy including root anatomy - common pathologies and anomalies - and indications for advanced radiographic imaging and proper technique to detect potential abnormalities
• iii
• Knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and indications and the ability to safely administer medicaments (e.g
• intrasulcular medicaments - local anesthesia - sulcular lavage - applying and removing periodontal surgical dressing)
• iv
• Knowledge of advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment - indication for use and ability to utilize safely (e.g
• sonic - magnetostrictive ultrasonic - and piezo ultrasonic scalers)
• v
• Skill in providing safe and thorough prophylaxis - root planing and soft- tissue curettage for complex periodontal and/or restorative cases and skill in providing safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues
• vi
• Ability to apply adult education techniques/methods - organize curriculum - judge cognitive ability - and provide healthcare education regarding relationships between medical and dental pathologies to groups - interdisciplinary staff - and other outside contacts
• Preferred Experience: Advanced periodontal knowledge and skills including local anesthesia license
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 10
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 10
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Duties include - but not limited to: Customer Service Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public
• Assists customers with questions or concerns
• 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 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
• Performs patient assessments (e.g
• risk and oral health assessments)
• Performs Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR)
• Manages stable medically compromised patients
• Assesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities
• Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions
• Provides gross debridement - scaling and root planning procedures
• Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable
• Manages dental recall system - consulting with the doctor for additional care
• Possesses knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and indications and ability to safely administer medicaments (e.g
• intrasulcular medicaments - local anesthesia - sulcular lavage - applying/removing periodontal surgical dressings)
• Utilizes advanced medical assessment techniques (interviewing patients and evaluating clinical findings such as normal and critical lab values) and adapts treatment based on medical and psychological issues
• Administers topical anesthetic agents
• Administers local anesthesia
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Patient/ Healthcare Provider 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
• Applies adult education techniques/methods to educate patients and judges patients' cognitive abilities
• Provides individual and group oral health care instruction to patients and caregivers using knowledge of medical diseases - conditions - and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to oral health
• Presents individual and group oral health instructions to inpatients - outpatients - Community Living Center patients - etc.
• Uses appropriate communication techniques to encourage and inform
• Dental Imaging Takes radiographic images characterized by high diagnostic quality - accurate orientation and proper exposure
• Possesses ability to understand functioning and interrelationship of anatomical structures on radiographic images
• Retakes are infrequent and at the direction of the dentist
• Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory
• Prepare instruments for sterilization by SPS standards
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure and certifications
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the agency) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00898F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized