Dental Hygienist

Veterans Health Administration • Tacoma, WA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dental Hygienist provides preventive and therapeutic oral health care, including prophylaxis, gross debridement, scaling and root planing, and periodontal supportive treatment. The position works with a Staff Periodontist in treating and recalling periodontal patients and manages the dental recall system, referring patients to a dentist when additional care is needed. Duties also include preparing and turning over the operatory, safely handling instruments, cleaning dental prostheses, applying fluoride, desensitizing and sealant materials, making impressions for fluoride carrier trays, and administering topical and local anesthetics within the scope of care. All procedures must follow standard infection-control protocols.

The announcement is open continuously until filled or February 1, 2027. The full performance level is GS-9, and selection may be at GS-5 through GS-9. The position is not virtual and telework is unavailable. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; a compressed or flexible schedule may be approved upon request. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station benefits are not authorized. The position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to program eligibility and approval; former EDRP participants are ineligible.

Applicants must meet the education, licensure, and certification requirements for dental hygienists. The role requires an associate degree or higher from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and a full, current, unrestricted U.S. license. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade-specific experience and knowledge, skills, and abilities apply for GS-6 through GS-9; GS-5 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements. The position includes a 1- or 2-year trial period and requires pre-employment screening and evaluation.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Hold an associate degree or higher from a dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), or qualifying equivalent foreign education.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice as a dental hygienist in a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Meet radiographer certification standards for administering radiologic procedures; qualifying graduates of accredited dental hygiene programs meet the stated curriculum requirement. Eligible non-certified applicants may receive a temporary graduate dental hygienist appointment for up to two years and must obtain certification during that period.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• For GS-6, have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade and demonstrate knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures; communication techniques for informing and encouraging individuals and groups; and dental methods and techniques for intraoral and extraoral procedures.
• For GS-7, have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade demonstrating its clinical competencies, and demonstrate knowledge of oral pathology, relevant medical and chronic degenerative diseases, and radiographic exposure techniques.
• For GS-8, have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade demonstrating its clinical competencies; meet the GS-7 KSAs; and demonstrate knowledge of preventive dentistry, anatomy and physiology for radiographic examination, oral-health instruction skills, and applicable VA, TJC, OSHA, and related regulations and guidelines.
• For GS-9, have at least one year of experience at the next lower grade demonstrating its clinical competencies; meet the GS-8 KSAs; and demonstrate knowledge of hygiene procedures and outcomes, dental radiography and radiation safety, fluoride products and their safe application, clinical detection and instrumentation skills, patient education, and safe care assessment and adaptation for patients' medical and dental needs.
• Complete required pre-employment screening, including a background/security investigation and medical evaluation; applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions must undergo urinalysis.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable and complete onboarding and application-document requirements.
• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Physical requirements include light lifting under 15 pounds, use of fingers and both hands, repeated bending for one hour, and mental and emotional stability.
• Work in outside and inside environments, with constant noise and close interaction with others.

Nice To Haves

• Certification in local anesthesia.
• Ability or experience working with a medically compromised patient population.

Responsibilities

• Set up 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.
• Provide gross debridement, scaling and root planing, and periodontal supportive treatment.
• Work with the Staff Periodontist on treatment and recall of periodontal patients.
• 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 as directed by the dentist.
• Make impressions for fluoride carrier trays.
• Administer topical anesthetic agents and local anesthetic consistent with the care being provided.
• Perform all procedures within standard infection-control protocols.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program, with an award of up to $200,000 and an eligibility period of one to five years, subject to VHA review and approval.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, if requested and approved before appointment; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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