The St. Louis VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) in the Dental service. The Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) is responsible for performing advanced patient assessments/clinical evaluations, prophylaxis in complex restorative cases, advanced scaling and root planing, and management of medically and/or behaviorally compromised patients, and collaboration with other disciplines. At this level, dental hygienists are advanced-level practitioners. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 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 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 LEVEL REQUIREMENTS 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 .Physical Requirements: Office environment and include standing (2 hours), bending (6 hours), light lifting (under 15 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, and sitting at chairside with unique manual dexterity in intra-oral dental hygiene procedures. There must be constant and careful eye-to-hand coordination. Acute attention to the details of fine instrumentation of tooth surfaces and tissues is essential. Above average dexterity is required. The work is primarily performed in an operatory and involves exposure to contagious diseases. Gloves, masks, protective eye wear, other barriers, and radiation safety badges are required. Assignments. This position is above the full performance level, the actual grade applicants may be selected is at the GS-10 level. 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. Lead dental hygienists generally are found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) or Complexity Level 2 (Medium Complexity) facilities, or in facilities of lesser complexity levels where large dental services are found. The lead dental hygienist monitors work flow and makes work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues, and maintains efficient flow of patient care; may approve brief periods of leave, provide training to dental auxiliary staff (dental assistants and/or dental hygienists), students and/or trainees; may recommend special advancements and promotions, disciplinary actions, etc. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to providing instruction to dental auxiliary staff (dental assistants and/or dental hygienists) in achieving diagnostic quality radiographs, providing instruction in maintenance of all dental service equipment, providing primary support to the chief for the daily delivery of department programs, reporting, staffing and scheduling, coordinates patient care plans to reduce redundancies and delay in patient treatment. They may perform ancillary assignments, including program management duties, on an occasional basis. References: VA Handbook, Part II, Appendix G37 Dental Hygienist Qualification Standards ["Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently Works closely with, and under the general direction of a dentist, periodontist or other specialist Performs higher-level duties at least 25% of the time consisting of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, such as: 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 Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Complies with patient identification, time-out and reusable medical equipment processes Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing images Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Complies with Employee Education requirements. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Applicable Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
