Dental Hygienist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Lincoln, NE seeks a full-time Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care under general dentist supervision in the Surgical Care department at the Lincoln VA Clinic. Recruitment/relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

You will perform prophylaxis, scaling, and radiographs, manage recalls, educate patients, and ensure infection-control standards. Telework is not available; work hours are 7:30 am–4:00 pm, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizen per VA policy.
• Must hold an associate degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program.
• Foreign-educated applicants must have credentials equivalent to CODA and be eligible for NBDE.
• Must hold a current, unrestricted dental hygienist license in the U.S.
• Must be certified in dental radiography.
• Non-certified applicants may receive a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. or may be hired at entry level (GS-5) with limitations.
• English language proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Earnings grade can range from GS-5 to GS-9, with the full performance level GS-9.

Responsibilities

• Sets up the operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans the dental unit for timely turnover.
• Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Performs dental prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance using hand and ultrasonic instruments.
• Cleans fixed and removable dental prostheses.
• Manages the dental recall system and refers patients to the dentist as needed.
• Applies desensitizing and sealant materials and administers antimicrobial agents in periodontal pockets when indicated.
• Makes impressions for fluoride carriers and administers topical/local anesthetics as allowed.
• Conducts head and neck examinations and intraoral inspections, seeking dentist consultation for abnormal findings.
• Maintains operatory supplies and sterilization readiness; ensures proper sharpening per manufacturer instructions.
• Educates patients and provides oral health instructions for veterans and caregivers.
• Exposes radiographs with diagnostic quality and minimizes retakes.
• Adheres to infection-control protocols during imaging and operatory setup/cleanup.
• Wears protective attire and ensures patient eye protection during procedures.
• Assists patients in scheduling using VA software and fills schedule gaps.
• Charts findings and codes treatments electronically using the VA system.

Education

Associate degree in dental hygiene (CODA-accredited)

Credentials equivalence for foreign-educated applicants

Tools

Dental radiography certification

Job description

Summary

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa is currently recruiting for one full-time Dental Hygienist. This position is located within the Surgical Care department at the Lincoln VA Clinic in Lincoln, Nebraska. 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. Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be authorized for highly qualified candidates

Qualifications

• Applicants must be a United States citizen, or a non‑citizen only if no qualified citizens can be recruited, as per VA policy.
• Applicants must possess an associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program. The program must have been accredited during the year in which the course of study was completed. Approved programs are those accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
• Applicants who completed education outside the United States must have credentials deemed equivalent to a CODA accredited program and must be eligible to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
• Must hold a current, unrestricted dental hygienist license in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Must be certified in dental radiography, meeting certification standards set by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and accredited by a recognized body.
• Non‑certified applicants may receive a temporary appointment as a graduate dental hygienist under 38 U.S.C. or may be hired only at the entry level (GS‑5). They cannot be promoted or converted beyond two years until certification is obtained.
• English language proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Earnings grade can range from GS‑5 to GS‑9, with the full performance level fixed at GS‑9.

Duties

• Sets up the operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans the dental unit for timely turnover.
• Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Performs dental prophylaxis and periodontal maintenance procedures using hand and ultrasonic instruments, including gross debridement, curettage, scaling and root planning, tooth polishing, and application of topical fluoride solutions.
• Cleans fixed and removable dental prostheses.
• Manages the dental recall system and refers patients to the dentist for additional care when needed.
• Applies desensitizing and sealant materials and administers localized antimicrobial agents in periodontal pockets when indicated.
• Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays and administers topical and/or local anesthetic agents as permitted by state license.
• Conducts head and neck examinations, completes intraoral inspection of hard and soft tissues, and seeks consultation with the dentist for abnormal findings.
• Maintains operatory supplies and instruments, ensuring proper preparation for sterilization and routine sharpening per manufacturer instructions.
• Provides patient education appropriate to veteran needs and oral condition and prepares individual and group oral health instructions for inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers.
• Exposes prescribed radiographs with diagnostic quality, accurate orientation, and minimized retakes.
• Adheres to infection‑control protocols when exposing images and when setting up and cleaning the operatory.
• Wears appropriate protective attire and ensures patient eye protection during procedures.
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments via VA scheduling software and fills gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations.
• Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatments in patient records and accurately codes treatment types electronically using the VA charting system.
• Work schedule: Monday‑Friday, 7:30 am–4 pm. Telework and virtual options are not available.
• Relocation/Recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants.
• Permanent change of station (PCS) is not authorized.