Dental Hygienist

Veterans Health Administration•Conroe, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care with general supervision from a dentist. Guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff is needed only for the most complex patients. The position provides preventive and therapeutic dental hygiene services, patient education, dental imaging, infection control, and related clinical and clerical support in a clinic setting. The role includes preparing and turning over the operatory; performing oral prophylaxis, debridement, scaling, curettage, and root planing; cleaning dental prostheses; administering permitted topical and local agents; and managing dental recalls. The hygienist also provides oral health instruction, takes diagnostic dental images, prepares instruments for sterilization, maintains patient records and confidentiality, and supports patient safety and employee safety education. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change based on facility needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-09, and selection may be made at GS-05 through GS-09. The position is in the Excepted Service and requires a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
An associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program.
A full, current, and unrestricted license to practice as a Dental Hygienist in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Radiographer certification requirements for personnel administering radiologic procedures; accredited dental hygiene program curricula may meet the stated dental radiographer certification requirement.
For GS-06: at least one year of experience at GS-05 and demonstrated knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive periodontal procedures; dental methods and techniques for intraoral and extraoral procedures; and communication techniques for informing and encouraging individuals and groups.
For GS-07: at least one year of experience at GS-06 and demonstrated knowledge of oral pathology, relevant medical and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment, and radiographic exposure techniques for diagnostic-quality images.
For GS-08: at least one year of experience at GS-07 and demonstrated knowledge of preventive dentistry, anatomy and physiology relevant to radiographic examinations, and TJC, OSHA, and related dental regulations and guidelines; skill in individual and group oral health instruction.
For GS-09: at least one year of experience at GS-08 and demonstrated knowledge of hygiene procedures and their indications, complications, and expected outcomes; dental radiography equipment and radiation safety; and fluoride product selection and application. Also requires skill in identifying plaque, calculus, abnormalities, and inflammation and in safe instrumentation; patient and caregiver education; and assessment of patient health factors and adaptation of care for comfort and oral health.
Applicants claiming work experience credit must include average hours worked per week on their resumes.
Complete required application documentation, background/security investigation, online onboarding, pre-employment identification requirements, and drug screening if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete mandatory annual safety training.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
Physical demands may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; use of personal protective equipment and annual TB screening or testing may be required.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience in specialty care.
Experience providing dental hygiene care for medically complex patients.
At least two years of experience in a high-volume clinic setting.

Responsibilities

Prepare the operatory for planned dental procedures and clean the dental unit for timely turnover.
Handle instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
Provide routine oral prophylactic care, including applying fluoride solutions.
Perform gross debridement, deep scaling, curettage, and root planing.
Clean fixed and removable dental prostheses.
Manage the dental recall system and refer patients to the dentist for additional care when needed.
Apply desensitizing and sealant materials and make impressions for fluoride carrier trays.
Administer topical anesthetic agents, local anesthetic as permitted by State licensure, and local anti-infective agents as directed by a dentist.
Perform procedures in accordance with standard infection-control protocols.
Provide courteous, respectful service to patients, coworkers, and the public; assist customers with questions or concerns and provide service recovery.
Provide patient education appropriate to individual needs and oral condition, including individual and group oral health instruction for inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers.
Produce diagnostic-quality dental images that are properly oriented and exposed while using imaging safety techniques and minimizing retakes.
Follow infection-control procedures when setting up and cleaning the operatory and exposing images; prepare instruments for sterilization according to SPD standards without delaying clinical care.
Assist with filling schedule gaps caused by late cancellations and failed appointments; chart findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records.
Maintain patient confidentiality under HIPAA and follow computer security regulations.
Adapt care to patient age and abilities, including transfer and positioning; provide clear instructions; participate in patient identification and time-out procedures; and monitor patients for physical distress during treatment.
Meet employee education requirements, complete mandatory annual safety training, and prepare and present monthly safety training to Dental Service Line staff.