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. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as dental hygienist planning and administering a hospital-wide preventive dentistry program Performs oral prophylaxis on inpatients and outpatients Screens patients' health histories to detect conditions requiring modification of treatment plans Provides preventive dentistry instruction to inpatients and outpatients Examines the oral cavity of each patient and notes any abnormal pathology Maintains a clean, organized operatory free of unnecessary clutter and unused equipment and supplies Handles sharps in a safe manner Disinfects dental equipment when appropriate following the Dental Department policies and procedures Wears protective barrier protection including gloves, mask and protective eyewear when appropriate Consistently responds to patients, families, visitors and co-workers requests for assistance promptly and in a friendly and cooperative manner Provides verbal and/or written information that is thorough and correct, using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand The employee recognizes the age related needs and demonstrates knowledge and care appropriate to that age group Displays skill in using VISTA, the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Appointment Management to retrieve patient information and schedule appointments Complies with VHA Directives and local Policy regarding the use of the VistA Scheduling package Maintains patient confidentiality of written and verbal information per HIPPA regulations Assists in covering the reception area, greeting patients, and answering phone calls when needed Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 6:45 am - 5:15 pm, Tuesday-Friday 6:45 am - 5:15 pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements Citizenship. Must be a Citizen of the United States. Education. Must Possess an 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Grade Determination GS-9: Must possess at least one 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 the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: (a) Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each. (b) Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films. (c) Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application. (d) Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure. (e) 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. (f) Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care. (g) 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. References: VA Handbook 5005/146, Part II, Appendix G37. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.