Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Iron Mountain (MI)

On-site

USD 78,000 - 102,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, is seeking a Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) in Iron Mountain, MI.

You will provide direct patient care under the general supervision of a dentist and perform other clinical duties independently as needed. Responsibilities include preparing operatories, prophylaxis, radiographs, administering local anesthesia where appropriate, and educating patients on oral health, while maintaining strict infection-control and

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.
Sets up operatory for planned dental procedures and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
Complies with patient identification, time-out and reusable medical equipment processes.
Administers medicaments and provides advanced clinical care under supervision.
Provides prophylaxis, scaling, root planing, and care for complex periodontal cases.
Maintains infection-control protocols and patient education.
Monitors patient condition during treatment and assists scheduling.

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. The dental hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently. Employees work closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist, periodontist or other specialist.

Key Responsibilities

Major Duties: Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery 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. Medical treatment adjuncts, indications, and safely administer medicaments (e.g.

intrasulcular medicaments, local anesthesia, sulcular lavage, applying/removing periodontal surgical dressings); Utilizes advanced medical assessment techniques (interviewing patients and evaluating clinical findings such as normal and critical lab values) and adapts treatment based on medical and psychological issues. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; take and records vital signs; review medical history; and chart oral conditions.

Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities. Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health. Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients, adapts patient environment, and maximizes patient's physical comfort. Indicates use for, and utilizes adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment safely (e.g.

sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers) Provide safe and thorough prophylaxis, gross debridement, scaling and root planing, and soft-tissue curettage for complex periodontal and restorative cases. Provide safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues. Clean dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Apply appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes.

Administer topical anesthetic agents, local anesthesia, and apply desensitizing agents. Perform routine maintenance of equipment components. Manage dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed. Accomplish all procedures within standard infection-control protocols. Provide patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition.

Explain hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver. Prepare 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. Apply adult education techniques/methods to educate patients and judges patients' cognitive abilities.

Take diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed while following dental-imaging safety techniques. 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.

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 for procedures while not causing a delay to care. Assist patients in scheduling appointments. Assist filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA.

Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Other Duties Are Assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45 am - 4:15 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10619F 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 $78253 – $101723/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-27.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.