Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

Summary This position is eligible for Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy & submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Qualifications Basic Requirements: a Citizenship Be a Citizen of the United States Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [38 U.S.C § 7407(a) - Administrative Provisions for Section 7405 and 7406 Appointments.] b 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.] 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) c Licensure/Certification (1) 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 (2) 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 d Grandfathering Provision All individuals employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions (2) Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels (3) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation Grade Determinations: Dental Hygienist - GS-10 (Advanced Clinical) (a) Experience At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the position being filled fully meets the KSAs at that level Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities The applicant must meet the KSAs for the GS-09 level: i Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each ii Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films iii Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application iv Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure v 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 vi Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care vii 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 vii 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 In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-09 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Knowledge of medical assessment techniques including interviewing and evaluating clinical findings (e.g normal and critical lab values) to adapt treatment based on medical and psychological issues ii Advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy including root anatomy - common pathologies and anomalies - and indications for advanced radiographic imaging and proper technique to detect potential abnormalities iii Knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and indications and the ability to safely administer medicaments (e.g intrasulcular medicaments - local anesthesia - sulcular lavage - applying and removing periodontal surgical dressing) iv Knowledge of advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment - indication for use and ability to utilize safely (e.g sonic - magnetostrictive ultrasonic - and piezo ultrasonic scalers) v Skill in providing safe and thorough prophylaxis - root planing and softtissue curettage for complex periodontal and/or restorative cases and skill in providing safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues vi Ability to apply adult education techniques/methods - organize curriculum - judge cognitive ability - and provide healthcare education regarding relationships between medical and dental pathologies to groups - interdisciplinary staff - and other outside contacts 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 will be selected for this vacancy is GS-10 Physical Requirements: See Handbook 5019. Duties Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas The dental hygienist provides direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently Employees work closely with a dentist - periodontist - or other specialists Major duties may include - but are not limited to: FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE Employee performs higher-level duties at least 25% of the time consisting of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety Higher-level duties include - but are not limited to - advanced patient assessments/clinical evaluations (blood glucose levels - medication reconciliation - oral cancer screening - dietary analysis for caries risk - pulse oximeter - comprehensive periodontal charting) - prophylaxis in complex restorative cases 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 Patient Care 1) Review medical history 2) Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover 3) Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care 4) Handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently 5) Provides gross debridement - deep scaling - and root planning procedures 6) Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable 7) Applies desensitizing and sealant materials 8) Administers topical and injectable local anesthetic agents 9) Performs Oral Screenings of inpatients on wards and coordinates dental care as necessary 10) Ensures productivity is maintained at the established level 11) Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Dental Imaging 1) Take diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed 2) Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization 1) Demonstrate proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up 2) Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards 3) Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care Clerical Functions 1) Directs MSA team on patient scheduling through Return to Clinic Orders 2) Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Information Management 1) Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information 2) Follows computer security regulations Patient Safety 1) Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) 2) Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC requirements 3) Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition 4) Explains hygiene procedures - indications - complications and expected outcomes to individual patients and caregivers Employee Education 1) Comply with Employee Education requirements 2) Completes mandatory annual training sessions 3) Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure - certifications - etc Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 6:30am - 3:00pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 60467F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive Contact [email protected] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized