Dental Hygienist

Summary

This position serves as the Dental Hygienist at the Orlando VA Medical Center's Winter Park Community Based Clinic. 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 and may be required to work at a separate satellite facility within corporate Orlando VA.

Qualifications

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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)
• Education
• Applicants must possess an Associate 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)
• 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
• 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
• P.L
• 97-35 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981 - requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel
• To meet this requirement - 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 meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers
• Loss of Credential
• Management officials will remove dental hygienists from their positions who fail to maintain the required licensure/certification - which may also result in termination of employment
• 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)
• Please see "How You Will Be Evaluated" section below for grandfathering provision
• GRADE DETERMINATION Dental Hygienist - GS-09 Experience
• At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-08) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the experience at the GS-08 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-09
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Customer Service: Show courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers - and the public
• Provide assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery Patient Care: Set up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Handle instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Provide routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions
• Provide gross debridement - deep scaling - and root planning procedures
• Clean dental prostheses - fixed and removable
• Manage dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed
• Apply desensitizing and sealant materials
• Make impressions for fluoride carrier trays
• Administer topical anesthetic agents
• Accomplish all procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Patient Education: Provide patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition
• Prepare and provide individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients - outpatients - and care givers
• 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: Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory
• Instrument are properly prepare for sterilization by SPD standards Instrument are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions: Assist in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Chart findings - treatment plans - and treatment provided in patient records
• Information Management: Maintain patient confidentiality per the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with written and verbal information
• Follow computer security regulations
• Patient Safety: Modify care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position.) Provide accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participate in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements
• Monitor patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress
• Employee Education: Comply with Employee Education requirements
• Complete mandatory annual safety training sessions
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 80111F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized