Summary

This Dental Hygienist position is in Specialty Care services at the VA Bedford Healthcare System - located at the Bedford location. This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week.

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 hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403
• 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: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• (2) [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
• 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)
• Grade Determination:GS-09: Must have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade (GS-08) level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• In addition - 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 G37 Physical Requirements: Long periods of standing - walking - sitting - and bending are required
• Sitting at computers for long periods using Vista - CPRS - DRM - and the Kiosk
• Utilization of telephone to place and receive phone calls from patients - staff members - and others is required
• Pushing dental instrumentation and equipment on carts down the hallway and lifting instruments and equipment from the carts to the dental delivery unit
• Standing on stools and lifting overhead to retrieve and store supplies and equipment
• Deliver clean instruments to the clinic as needed (up to twice a day) from SPS to the dental service
• This involves pushing carts with instruments down hallways and into elevators
• Lifting of patients from gurneys or wheelchairs into the dental chair for exams - x-rays - and treatment is required.

Duties

• 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 include - but not limited to: Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public
• Assists 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
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover
• Complies with patient identification - time-out and reusable medical equipment processes
• Handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Takes and records vital signs - reviews medical history
• Charts oral conditions - periodontal charting - and restorative findings utilizing electronic dental record (DRM Plus)
• Assesses patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications - and comorbidities
• Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health
• Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients - adapts patient environment - and maximizes patient's physical comfort
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care
• Provides gross debridement - scaling and root planning procedures
• Provides subgingival curettage
• Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable
• Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes
• Administers antimicrobial agents where appropriately under the supervision of the Dentist
• Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed
• Administers topical anesthetic agents
• May administer local anesthesia (check to ensure hygienist's state license allows and certification is current)
• Applies desensitizing agents
• Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps - water lines maintenance - etc.
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols
• In addition to providing care in the dental clinic setting - care will also be performed on in-patient units utilizing portable equipment
• Participates with Dental hygiene student education and supervision
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:45am - 4:15pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F06474 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorize