Career Center

Summary

The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting three Dental Hygienists to provide care to our Veterans as part of Dental Service.

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: Citizenship
• Be a Citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist
• (a) 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) - Temporary Full- Time Appointments - Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years
• (b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level
• (c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above - 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: Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
• Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
• Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
• Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
• 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
• Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
• 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Light carrying under 15 pounds Reaching above shoulder Both hands required Walking/standing 8-10 hours Repeated bending Both legs required Specific visual requirements (small details) The ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Both eyes required Depth perception Ability to distinguish colors Hear

Duties

• Staff Dental Hygienist - GS-9 - perform advanced clinical techniques - under general supervision of the dentist
• In addition to providing general duties of a hygienist - the employee would be supervising dental hygiene students during their rotation through VA Dental Clinic
• The employee would be responsible for providing dental hygiene education for both inpatient and outpatient areas
• The major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to: Customer Service Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers - management - and the public Assists customers with questions - or concerns - provided service recovery Patient Care Sets up operatory for a planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include the 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
• Administers topical anesthetic agents
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols
• Patient Education Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition
• Provides individual and group oral health care instruction to patients and caregivers
• Dental Imaging Takes radiographic images characterized by diagnostic quality - accurate orientation - and proper exposure
• Retakes are minimal 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
• Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards
• Prepares instruments efficiently 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 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
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54408A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized