Dental Hygienist

Full Job Description

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.

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: Citizenship. Be a Citizen of the United States.

Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [38 U.S.C 7407(a), Administrative Provisions for Section 7405 and 7406 Appointments].

English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C 7403(f). Education.

Applicants must possess an Associates 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: Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) 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.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S.

program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Licensure/Certification.

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.

Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75.

(DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED) 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.

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).

Grandfathering Provision.

All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Grade Determinations Dental Hygienist GS9: In addition to the above basic requirements, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience.

At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at the 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 (KSAs). 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/146 Part II Appendix G47 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS09.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, stooping, stretching and lifting moderately heavy items. Major Duties:

• Customer Service Veteran Centered Care 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, and freedom of choice 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 Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families Patient Care Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently Assesses 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 prophylactic care to include application of appropriate fluoride solutions Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planning procedures Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays 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 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, parafunctional habits, and effect of illness, addictions, medications and tobacco on the oral cavity Dental Imaging Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized 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 Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Charts findings, treatment plans, 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) Modifies care based 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 Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement 40169F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized