Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but not limited to: Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public; Assists customers with questions or concerns; 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 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; Performs patient assessments (e.g. risk and oral health assessments); Performs Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR); Manages stable medically compromised patients; Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities; Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health; Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions; Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planning procedures; Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable; Manages dental recall system, consulting with the doctor for additional care; Possesses knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and indications and ability to safely administer medicaments (e.g. intrasulcular medicaments, local anesthesia, sulcular lavage, applying/removing periodontal surgical dressings); Utilizes advanced medical assessment techniques (interviewing patients and evaluating clinical findings such as normal and critical lab values) and adapts treatment based on medical and psychological issues; Administers topical anesthetic agents; Administers local anesthesia; Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Patient/ Healthcare Provider 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; Applies adult education techniques/methods to educate patients and judges patients' cognitive abilities; Provides individual and group oral health care instruction to patients and caregivers using knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to oral health; Presents individual and group oral health instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Community Living Center patients, etc.; Uses appropriate communication techniques to encourage and inform. Dental Imaging Takes radiographic images characterized by high diagnostic quality, accurate orientation and proper exposure; Possesses ability to understand functioning and interrelationship of anatomical structures on radiographic images; Retakes are infrequent and at the direction of the dentist; Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory; Prepare instruments for sterilization by SPS standards; 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); 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; Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure and certifications. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01629F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 dentification 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 will 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

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/.