Dental Hygienist

Summary

The Dental Hygienist position is located in the Portland VA Healthcare center. The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the supervision of the dentist and senior hygienist and performs other clinical and clerical functions. This announcement includes a Relocation Incentive for qualifying individuals

Duties

• The duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public and embraces the VA's Core Values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence (ICARE) 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 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 to allow for safe patient care Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health Recognizes age-related and physical changes in individual patients and adapts patient environment to maximize patient comfort Skill in detecting dental plaque and calculus, oral abnormalities and pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for all dental hygiene procedures Provides routine oral prophylactic care Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planing procedures Selects the appropriate fluoride products and understands indications/limitations for safe and proper application Applies oral desensitizing and sealant materials Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when appropriate Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays Administers topical and local anesthetic agents (per State license) Performs routine dental operatory equipment care and maintenance Maintains dental operatory stock items and surveys routinely for expired products Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver Properly utilizes dental radiographic equipment, radiation safety techniques and barriers Work Schedule: Monday-Fridays, 7:30am to 5:00pm (8,9, or 10 hour shifts available) Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you MAY be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/.