Dental Hygienist

Veterans Health Administration

Columbia (SC)

On-site

USD 74,000 - 97,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Columbia, SC seeks a Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care under dentist supervision, with a focus on comprehensive oral health during routine procedures and patient education.

You will perform imaging, infection control, and clerical tasks while contributing to a patient-centered care approach in a federal environment. On-site schedule includes includes some Saturdays.

Qualifications

Education recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for Federal employment.

Responsibilities

Provides direct patient care under general supervision of the dentist and independently handles clinical and clerical tasks for most cases.
Delivers patient-centered care reflecting veteran and family goals; communicates care plans and instructions.
Prepares operatory, takes vital signs, reviews medical history, and assesses medical/dental conditions.
Educates patients on periodontal health, hygiene practices, and effects of medications and tobacco on the oral cavity.
Performs dental imaging with safety and minimal retakes; maintains infection-control standards.
Maintains scheduling, patient confidentiality (HIPAA) and secures electronic records.

Skills

Patient care

Infection control

Patient education

Clerical skills

HIPAA compliance

Tools

Dental imaging equipment

Sterilization procedures

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This is an OPEN CONTUNUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be August 5, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Key Responsibilities

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: A.

Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care 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. B.

Patient Care 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. Takes and records vital signs, reviews medical history and charts oral conditions. Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. C.

Patient Education Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition. Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver. Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, and effect of illness, addictions, medications, and tobacco on the oral cavity. D.

Dental Imaging Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed. Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes. E. Infection control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing images. Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards. Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care. F.

Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. G. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. H. Patient Safety Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position).

Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. I. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual training sessions. Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure, certificates, etc.

Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm (Intermittent, 2-3 Saturdays per month) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59265F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & 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/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $74345 - $96654/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

How many openings are available?

There are 4 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.