Career Center

Summary

Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. 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. Employees work closely with - and under the general direction of - a dentist or periodontist.

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
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Dental Hygienist - GS-10 (Advanced Clinical) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) that is directly related to the position being filled fully meets the KSAs at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-09 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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)
• Skill in providing safe and thorough prophylaxis - root planning and soft-tissue curettage for complex periodontal and/or restorative cases and skill in providing safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues
• 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
• 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 planning (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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/146 July 23 - 2021 PART II APPENDIX G37 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• Moderate lifting and carrying - reaching above shoulders
• use of fingers - use of both hands
• walking - standing - sitting - repeated bending for extended periods of time while performing dental work
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.

Duties

• Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: 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 Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals - personal preferences 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 non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge - values - beliefs - and cultural backgrounds
• Patient Care - Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently Assess clinical findings - including normal and critical lab results - and adapt care based on finding
• Interview patient and assess patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities Assesses 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 Provides routine oral prophylaxis - gross debridement - soft tissue curettage - deep scaling and root planning procedures to patients with complex periodontal/restorative conditions and complex medical/psychiatric issues Safely utilizes advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment (e.g
• sonic - magnetostrictive ultrasonic - and piezo ultrasonic scalers) Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Evaluate patient's caries risk and select and apply appropriate fluoride solutions Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays Administers topical anesthetic agents Applies desensitizing and sealant materials Administers local anesthetic (per State license) Administers intrasulcular anti-infective agents and sulcular lavage per direction of dentist/periodontist Applies and removes periodontal dressings per direction of dentist 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 - and effect of illness - addictions - medications - and tobacco on the oral cavity Applies adult education techniques/methods - organizes curriculum - judges cognitive ability - and provides healthcare education regarding relationships between medical and dental pathologies to groups and/or interdisciplinary staff
• Dental Imaging - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized Recognizes common pathologies and utilizes advanced radiographic technique (CBCT) and equipment to detect abnormalities
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions Assists - patients in scheduling appointments - places appropriate RTC orders Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Chart's findings - treatment plans - and treatment provided in patient records Updated 10/2024 g
• 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) Modifies care based on patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC requirements
• Monitor's patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Employee Education - Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Prepares and presents hygiene/safety updates at the Dental Staff Meeting Instruct and supervise dental hygiene students
• Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54035-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized