Dental Hygienist (Advance Clinical)

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join an established healthcare provider as a Dental Hygienist, where you'll provide direct patient care and support dental procedures. This role emphasizes patient education, customer service, and infection control, ensuring high-quality care in a supportive environment. You'll work closely with patients, assessing their needs and delivering tailored oral health solutions. If you're passionate about improving patient outcomes and have a strong background in dental hygiene, this opportunity offers a fulfilling career path in a dynamic setting.

Qualifications

• Must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program.
• Must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct patient care and performs clinical and clerical functions.
• Assesses clinical findings and adapts care based on results.

Skills

Patient Care

Customer Service

Infection Control

Dental Imaging

Patient Education

Clerical Functions

Education

Associate degree in Dental Hygiene

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. Education:
   1. Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program.
   2. 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.
   3. Approved programs are: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
   4. (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.
3. Licensure/Certification:
   1. 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. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. Accredited dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
4. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
5. English Language Proficiency: Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
6. 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).
7. Preferred Experience: 2-5 years of private practice experience. Experience with adult medically compromised patients.

Duties

1. Customer Service: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Provides assistance to 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.
2. Patient Care: Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Assesses clinical findings, including normal and critical lab results, and adapts care based on findings. Interviews patient and assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities. Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of appropriate fluoride solutions.
3. Patient/Healthcare Provider 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.
4. Dental Imaging: Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized.
5. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory. Prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards.
6. Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records.
7. Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.
8. Patient Safety: Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.
9. Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 629-01198-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized