Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Baton Rouge, LA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

These Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) positions are located in the Dental Service of Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. The positions are physically located in New Orleans, Louisiana and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They provide direct patient care under the general supervision of a dentist, periodontist or other specialist, and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 2-5 years of experience practicing as a dental hygienist in a private practice or clinical environment.
• Experience providing care for adult medically compromised patients.
• Demonstrated skills in patient education, communication, and cultural competency.

Responsibilities

• 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 finding.
• Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities and modifies care accordingly.
• Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health.
• Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients, and adapts patient environment to maximize patient's physical comfort.
• Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes.
• Indicates use for and utilizes adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment safely (e.g., sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers).
• Provides routine oral prophylaxis, gross debridement, soft tissue curettage, deep scaling and root planning procedures to patients with complex periodontal/restorative conditions and complex medical/psychiatric issues.
• Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable.
• Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays.
• Administers topical and local anesthetic agents.
• Administers intrasulcular anti-infective agents and sulcular lavage per direction of dentist/periodontist.
• Applies and removes periodontal dressings per direction of dentist.
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients during procedures.
• Participates in patient identification and time out per TIC requirements.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.
• 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.
• Prepares 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.
• Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed.
• Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes.
• Demonstrates 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.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory to ensure instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards.
• Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments.
• Fills gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records.
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
• Follows computer security regulations.
• Complies with Employee Education requirements.
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree