The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions. Level of supervision varies based on level of experience.
Applies to the GS-9 Level Only: Employees at this level serve as staff dental hygienists at the full performance level. They provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist. Applies to all Grade Levels, GS-5 - GS-9: The Dental Hygienist provides expert direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions as assigned and independently of direct supervision. Developmental levels will allow for more independence through grade progression. Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Patient Care Sets up operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safety, accurately and efficiently. Assists with initial or recall exams by taking radiographs and performing full mouth probing. Provides gross debridement and scaling/ root planning/ curettage procedures. Cleans dental prostheses fixed and removable. Manages the dental recall system- refers patients to the doctor/dentist for additional care when needed. Applies desensitizing and sealant materials. Makes impressions for fluoride carriers' trays. Administers topical anesthetic agents and accomplishes all procedures within the standards of infections control protocols. Minimum of seven (7) clinical visits in an eight (8) hour day. Dental Imaging Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films. 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 the operatory. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions 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 Maintain 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 Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Performance Improvement Participates in performance improvement activities (including collecting and analyzing data). Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor to facilitate patient care. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off:37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Dental Hygienist Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This is a bargaining unit position.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts are not required, however, failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified. 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. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by CODA at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CODA website (https://coda.ada.org/find-a-program), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
kathleen.botwinick@va.gov
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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