Dental Hygienist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Conroe (TX); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care under supervision, with licensure in a state and radiologic certification. The role emphasizes preventive dentistry, patient instruction, and collaboration with supervisory staff for complex cases.

Applicants should have an accredited dental hygiene degree, state licensure, and familiarity with OSHA/TJC guidelines. Medical and clinical coordination with a dental team is essential.

Qualifications

• Must possess an Associate degree or higher in dental hygiene from an accredited program.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under general supervision from a dentist for routine cases.

Skills

Hygiene procedures

Anatomy/physiology

Radiographic procedures

Infection control

Patient education

Safety regulations (TJC/OSHA)

Clinical assessment

Education

Associate degree in Dental Hygiene

CODA-accredited program

Board eligibility/certification requirements

Job description

The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care and receives guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and requires only general supervision from a dentist.

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(f).
• 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/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.

Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist

• (a) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure, may be given a temporary appointment as a Graduate Dental Hygienist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B), Temporary Full-Time Appointments, Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years.
• (b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified Dental Hygienist at or above the Full Performance Level.
• (c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
• (d) Temporary appointments of non-certified Dental Hygienists may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
• (e) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, Dental Hygienists must actively pursue meeting requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment.

Grade Determinations

GS-09. Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-08) that meets the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at that level. the clinical competencies described at that level.

Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit.

GS-08 Demonstrated KSAs

• i. Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training.
• ii. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic use; and to present for viewing.
• iii. Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters.
• iv. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.

GS-09 Demonstrated KSAs.

1. 1. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each.
2. 2. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films.
3. 3. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application.
4. 4. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure.
5. 5. 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.
6. 6. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care.
7. 7. 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.

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).

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of two years of experience in specialty care preferred.
• Experience providing dental hygiene for medically complex patients preferred.
• Minimum of two years of experience in a high-volume clinic setting preferred.

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.

Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.