Career Center

Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Dental Hygienist for the Dental Clinic at the Buffalo VA Medical Center.

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
• 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
• 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: GS-9 Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-8) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Assignments
• Employees at this level serve as staff dental hygienists at the full performance level
• They provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist
• Assignments at this level include but are not limited to patient medical assessment (e.g
• medical/dental history - social history - vital signs - full periodontal assessment and charting) - disease and treatment management recommendations - denture care - scaling and root planning - radiographs/image interpretation - patient education (e.g
• post-procedure - tobacco cessation - caries and perio-disease prevention) - behavior management - management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors) - instrument sharpening - inter-service communication
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-9 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
• 2
• Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
• 3
• Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
• 4
• Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
• 5
• 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
• 6
• Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
• 7
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Three current years of active dental hygienist experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen· hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders.

Duties

• The Dental Hygienist duties include - but are not limited to: 1
• Planning the sequence of dental hygiene procedures for appointments - instructing patients on brushing and flossing - diet and nutrition counseling and recommending hygiene products
• 2
• Review the patient medical and dental history to provide safe - effective - and appropriate therapy
• 3
• Conduct head and neck examinations and complete intraoral inspection of the hard and soft tissue and seeks consultation with dentist to assess abnormal findings
• 4
• Perform dental prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance procedures to include scaling - root planning - application of medications - and tooth polishing
• 5
• Maintain a clean and well organized dental operatory
• 6
• Maintain all instruments and equipment in proper working condition
• 7
• Wear appropriate attire that reflects professionalism and inspires patient confidence
• 8
• Provide oral and written information to assist the patient in the prevention and management of oral disease
• 9
• Wear appropriate protective attire and assure that the patient is provided eye protection during procedures
• 10
• Maintain the dental operatory in accordance with local and federal regulations
• 11
• Maintain dental instruments and armamentarium at a level of sterility in accordance with local and federal regulations and according to the Dental Program Infection Control Policy including proper management of RME
• 12
• Complete clinical progress notes within 24 hours of completion of care
• 13
• Record appropriate codes for procedures accomplished
• 14
• Use appropriate template for progress notes
• 15
• Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and staff that facilitate optimal patient care and reduce or eliminate patient complaints 16
• Respond to queries related to patient care within 48 hours
• 17
• Monitor voicemail and Secure Messaging notifications daily to assure timely response to patient queries
• 18
• Manage clinical time efficiently to maximize the quantity and quality of care provided to patients
• 19
• Manage clinical supplies prudently and assure that all medications and supplies are used prior to imprinted expiration dates
• 20
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized