Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 68,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a GS-10 level Dental Hygienist to provide advanced clinical care under general supervision. The incumbent will work in collaboration with dentists/periodontists, performing complex evaluations, radiographic imaging, anesthesia administration, and patient education.

The role requires an unrestricted dental hygiene license, CODA-accredited education, and strong English communication. This is a full-time, on-site position in a VA clinical setting.

Qualifications

• Must hold an associate degree or higher in dental hygiene from a CODA-accredited program.
• Must be licensed as a dental hygienist with full, unrestricted U.S. license.
• English language proficiency required for duties and supervision requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced patient assessments and periodontal charting.
• Provide complex prophylaxis and root planing as needed.
• Administer local anesthesia and manage radiographic procedures.
• Deliver comprehensive oral hygiene instructions to diverse patients.

Skills

Medical assessment techniques

Oral and dental anatomy

Administration of medicaments

Advanced radiographic imaging

Prophylaxis and periodontal care

Adult education techniques

Education

Associate degree in dental hygiene

CODA-accredited program

Tools

Cone beam CT

Radiographic equipment

Job description

Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. The Dental Hygienist reports to the Supervising Hygienist and provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist. They perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. Employees work closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist or periodontist. 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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• 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
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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).

Grade Determinations

GS-10 (Advanced Clinical)

(a) Experience.

At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the position being filled fully meets the KSAs at that level.

(b) Assignments.

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At this level, dental hygienists are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. Employee assignments may include but are not limited to advanced patient assessments/clinical evaluations (blood glucose levels, medication reconciliation, oral cancer screening, dietary analysis for caries risk, pulse oximeter, comprehensive periodontal charting), prophylaxis in complex restorative cases (e.g. multiple dental implants, orthognathic, post-surgical trauma, etc.), advanced scaling and root planing (ability to II-G37-7 July 23, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/146 PART II APPENDIX G37 use advanced modalities) with or without soft-tissue curettage, advanced radiographic studies (cone beam computed tomography (CT), cephalometric), local anesthesia administration, advanced adjunctive treatment (xerostomia treatment recommendations, sulcular lavage, placement of intrasulcular medicaments, applying and removing periodontal surgical dressings, orthodontic care, sealant placement, occlusion adjustment, placement of desensitizing agents, professional whitening procedures), individual and group oral hygiene instructions for special-needs populations, elevated educational instruction, development of training materials/presentations), management of medically and/or behaviorally compromised patients, and collaboration with other disciplines.

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-09 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• i. Knowledge of medical assessment techniques including interviewing and evaluating clinical findings (e.g. normal and critical lab values) to adapt treatment based on medical and psychological issues.
• ii. Advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy including root anatomy, common pathologies and anomalies, and indications for advanced radiographic imaging and proper technique to detect potential abnormalities.
• iii. Knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and indications and the ability to safely administer medicaments (e.g. intrasulcular medicaments, local anesthesia, sulcular lavage, applying and removing periodontal surgical dressing).
• iv. Knowledge of advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, indication for use and ability to utilize safely (e.g. sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers).
• v. Skill in providing safe and thorough prophylaxis, root planing and soft tissue curettage for complex periodontal and/or restorative cases and skill in providing safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues.
• vi. Ability to apply adult education techniques/methods, organize curriculum, judge cognitive ability, and provide healthcare education regarding relationships between medical and dental pathologies to groups, interdisciplinary staff, and other outside contacts.

Preferred Experience:

At least one year of practice experience.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires extended periods of sitting, bending, and twisting.