Dental Hygienist

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 PolicyEducation: Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene programThe degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completedApproved programs are: Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)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 ExaminationsLicensure 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 ColumbiaCertification P.L97-35 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981 - requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.RPart 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic PersonnelTo 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 fieldAccredited dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meeting the requirement for certification as dental radiographersExceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure - may be given a temporary appointment - not to exceed two years - as a graduate dental hygienist pending certification (GS-5 level only)English Language Proficiency: Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.7403(f)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)IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE - PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFICWE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCEGrade DeterminationsIn addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesGS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) ExperienceAt least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that levelKnowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accuratelyto understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic useand to present for viewingKnowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental mattersSkill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients - outpatients - Nursing Home Care Unit patients - etcAssignmentsEmployees at this level serve as staff dental hygienists at the full performance levelThey 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 dentistAssignments at this level include but are not limited to patient medical assessment (e.gmedical/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.gpost-procedure - tobacco cessation - caries and perio-disease prevention) - behavior management - management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors) - instrument sharpening - inter-service communicationDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each2Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films3Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application4Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure5Skill 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 cavity6Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care7Ability 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 comfortReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervisionIt is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patientsDuties included but not limited to the following: Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the publicProvides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recoveryDelivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals - personal preferences - and freedom of choiceDemonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family-centered care in written care plans - instructions to patients - and in observation of the actual care providedDemonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge - values - beliefs - and cultural backgroundsDemonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and familiesPatient Care Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnoverComplies with patient identification - time-out and reusable medical equipment processesHandles instruments safely - accurately - and efficientlyTakes and records vital signs - reviews medical historyCharts oral conditionsAssesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbiditiesAssesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral healthRecognizes age-related changes in individual patients - adapts patient environment - and maximizes patient's physical comfortProvides routine oral prophylactic careProvides gross debridement - scaling and root planning proceduresProvides subgingival curettageCleans dental prostheses - fixed and removableApplies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishesManages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when neededAdministers topical anesthetic agentsAdministers local anesthesia (check to ensure hygienist's state license allows and certification is current)Applies desensitizing agentsPerforms routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps - water lines - etc.Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocolsPatient Education Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral conditionExplains hygiene procedures - indications - complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiverPrepares 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 cavityDental Imaging Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposedUtilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakesInfection control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing imagesProperly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standardsPrepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical careClerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointmentsAssists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointmentsInformation Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIP AA with written and verbal informationFollows computer security regulationsPatient 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 comorbiditiesProvides accurate and understandable instructions to patientsParticipates in patient identification and time out per TJC requirementsMonitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distressWork Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized