Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care under the general supervision of the Dentist and to perform other clinical and clerical functions independent of direct supervision. Responsibilities include but not limited to:
Sets up operatory for planned dental hygiene procedures and clean the dental unit for timely turnover; Manages the dental recall system, and refers patients to the dentist for additional care, when needed; Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions, gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planning procedures; Cleans dental prostheses, both fixed and removable; Exposes and develops radiographs on patients; Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays; Applies desensitizing and sealant materials; Administers topical anesthetic agents, local anesthetic agents (in accordance with Florida licensure/training requirements), and local anti-infective agents per direction of the dentist. Dental Hygienist demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and the cleaning operatory; ensuring instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards; and handling instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently to accomplish all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Additionally, they provide assistance to customers with questions and concerns in a consistent, courteous and respectful manner; schedule patient appointments; provide patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition; and prepare individual and group oral health care instruction to patients, and care givers. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday 8:
00 am- 4:
30 pm. Could vary depending the needs of the service. 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. Associate Degree or higher in an accredited dental hygiene program. This program must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 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. English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). This position is for a GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience that demonstrates 1. Knowledge of state of the art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training; 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately; to 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 use; and to present for viewing; 3. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.; and 4. Knowledge of VA, The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters. GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. At least 1 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:
1. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities for safe patient care; 2. 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; 3. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure; 4. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application; 5. Knowledge of hygiene procedures in order to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each; 6. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films; and 7. 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. References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/73 PART II APPENDIX G37 Physical Requirements:
as per VA Directive and Handbook 5019 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy Carrying 54 pounds and over Straight pulling (2-6 hours) Pushing (2-6 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (5-9 hours) Standing (4-8 hours) Kneeling (1-2hours Repeated bending (2-4 hours) Climbing, legs only (1-2 hours) Twisting (2-4 hours) Near vision correctable at 1 to 16 Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and 20/100 in the other Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) Ability to hear whispered voice Emotional stability ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Excessive noise, intermittent Constant noise Radiant energy Electrical energy Slippery or uneven surfaces Working around moving objects and vehicles Unusual fatigue factors Working with hands in water Working closely with others Working alone Heavy patient care All applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Sets up operatory for planned dental hygiene procedures and clean the dental unit for timely turnover; Manages the dental recall system, and refers patients to the dentist for additional care, when needed; Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions, gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planning procedures; Cleans dental prostheses, both fixed and removable; Exposes and develops radiographs on patients; Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays; Applies desensitizing and sealant materials; Administers topical anesthetic agents, local anesthetic agents (in accordance with Florida licensure/training requirements), and local anti-infective agents per direction of the dentist. Dental Hygienist demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and the cleaning operatory; ensuring instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards; and handling instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently to accomplish all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Additionally, they provide assistance to customers with questions and concerns in a consistent, courteous and respectful manner; schedule patient appointments; provide patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition; and prepare individual and group oral health care instruction to patients, and care givers. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday 8:
00 am- 4:
30 pm. Could vary depending the needs of the service. 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. Associate Degree or higher in an accredited dental hygiene program. This program must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 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. English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). This position is for a GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience that demonstrates 1. Knowledge of state of the art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training; 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately; to 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 use; and to present for viewing; 3. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.; and 4. Knowledge of VA, The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters. GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. At least 1 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:
1. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities for safe patient care; 2. 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; 3. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure; 4. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application; 5. Knowledge of hygiene procedures in order to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each; 6. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films; and 7. 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. References:
VA HANDBOOK 5005/73 PART II APPENDIX G37 Physical Requirements:
as per VA Directive and Handbook 5019 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy Carrying 54 pounds and over Straight pulling (2-6 hours) Pushing (2-6 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking (5-9 hours) Standing (4-8 hours) Kneeling (1-2hours Repeated bending (2-4 hours) Climbing, legs only (1-2 hours) Twisting (2-4 hours) Near vision correctable at 1 to 16 Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and 20/100 in the other Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) Ability to hear whispered voice Emotional stability ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Excessive noise, intermittent Constant noise Radiant energy Electrical energy Slippery or uneven surfaces Working around moving objects and vehicles Unusual fatigue factors Working with hands in water Working closely with others Working alone Heavy patient care All applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- Department:
0682 Dental Hygiene - Salary Range:
$52,905 to $68,777 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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