Dental Hygienist

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.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

04/18/2024 to 05/10/2024

• Salary

$67,743 - $88,065 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Bedford, MA 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0682 Dental Hygiene

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTD-12389090-24-MKD

• Control number

787310700

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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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 through Friday, 7:45am-4:15pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: F04484

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

• This position is in the Excepted Service.

• This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position.

• This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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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

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.

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.

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.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.