Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Ann Arbor, MI

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Dental hygienists at the advanced clinical level are practitioners in assigned areas. The position reports to the Supervising Hygienist and provides direct patient care under the general supervision of a dentist. The hygienist also performs clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision and works closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist or periodontist.

The role provides advanced dental hygiene care to Veterans, including patient assessment; prophylaxis, debridement, scaling and root planing for complex periodontal or restorative conditions; imaging; administration of local anesthesia and other adjunctive treatments when authorized; patient education; infection control; appointment support; and clinical documentation. The hygienist adapts care to patients’ medical, dental, psychological, age-related, and functional needs, and contributes to employee safety education and supervision of dental hygiene students.

The work schedule is intermittent and subject to the needs of the service. Flexible scheduling is available. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program; qualifying programs must be accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation or, for foreign education, be deemed equivalent to a qualifying U.S. program.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice as a dental hygienist in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Radiography credentialing requirements must be met; completion of an accredited dental hygiene program with radiologic procedure curriculum is stated to satisfy the dental-radiographer certification requirement.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, for the GS-10 advanced clinical level.
• Knowledge of medical assessment techniques, including interviewing and evaluating clinical findings such as normal and critical lab values, and adapting treatment to medical and psychological issues.
• Advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy, common pathologies and anomalies, and indications and techniques for advanced radiographic imaging.
• Knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and ability to safely administer medicaments and treatments such as intrasulcular medicaments, local anesthesia, sulcular lavage, and periodontal surgical dressings.
• Knowledge of advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, its indications, and safe use.
• Skill in providing safe, thorough prophylaxis, root planing, and soft-tissue curettage for complex periodontal or restorative cases and in caring safely for patients with complex medical or psychiatric issues.
• Ability to apply adult education methods, organize curricula, assess cognitive ability, and provide healthcare education to groups, interdisciplinary staff, and outside contacts.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Selected applicants are subject to pre-employment drug testing and background/security investigation; applicants who refuse required testing will be denied employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must complete application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Must serve a two-year trial period; continued employment is contingent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Physical requirements include extended periods of sitting, bending, and twisting.
• Applicants relying on education for qualification must submit transcripts; foreign education requires a foreign-credential equivalency certificate and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of dental hygiene practice experience.

Responsibilities

• Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude toward patients, coworkers, and the public; assist customers with questions or concerns and provide service recovery.
• Deliver patient- and family-centered care that respects Veterans’ goals, preferences, choices, values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.
• Prepare and clean the operatory for procedures and handle instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Interview patients and assess medical and dental histories, anxiety or phobias, medications, comorbidities, and clinical findings; adapt care based on those assessments.
• Assess how medical and dental conditions affect patients’ ability to maintain oral health; recognize age-related changes and adjust the environment to promote comfort.
• Provide oral prophylaxis, gross debridement, soft-tissue curettage, and deep scaling and root planing for patients with complex periodontal or restorative conditions and complex medical or psychiatric issues.
• Use advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, including sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers.
• Clean fixed and removable dental prostheses and manage the dental recall system, referring patients to a dentist when additional care is needed.
• Evaluate caries risk; select and apply fluoride solutions; make impressions for fluoride carrier trays; administer topical anesthetics; and apply desensitizing agents and sealants.
• Administer local anesthetic as permitted by state licensure; administer intrasulcular anti-infective agents and sulcular lavage as directed by a dentist; apply and remove periodontal dressings; and apply fluoride varnish.
• Complete procedures in accordance with standard infection-control protocols.
• Provide patient education suited to the Veteran’s needs and oral condition; explain hygiene procedures, indications, complications, and expected outcomes to patients and caregivers.
• Prepare and provide education about periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene, parafunctional habits, and the effects of illness, addictions, medications, and tobacco on oral health.
• Apply adult education methods, organize curricula, assess cognitive ability, and educate groups, interdisciplinary staff, and outside contacts about relationships between medical and dental pathologies.
• Produce diagnostic-quality dental images that are properly oriented and exposed; use imaging safety techniques, minimize retakes, and recognize common pathologies using appropriate radiographic techniques and equipment.
• Follow infection-control procedures when preparing and cleaning operatories and exposing images; prepare instruments for sterilization according to SPS standards without delaying clinical care.
• Assist patients with appointment scheduling and help fill schedule gaps caused by late cancellations and missed appointments.
• Document findings, treatment plans, and care provided in patient records.
• Maintain patient confidentiality under HIPAA and follow computer security regulations.
• Modify care to account for patients’ age, abilities, medical and dental conditions, anxiety or phobias, medications, and comorbidities; provide clear instructions and assist with transfers and positioning as appropriate.
• Participate in patient identification and time-out procedures under TJC requirements and monitor patients for signs of physical distress during treatment.
• Meet employee education requirements and complete annual mandatory safety training.
• Prepare and present monthly safety training to Dental Service staff.
• Instruct and supervise dental hygiene students.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree