Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • Charleston, SC

18d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an advanced clinical dental hygienist position with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The employee provides direct patient care and performs clinical and clerical functions independently, working closely with a dentist, periodontist, or other specialists. At least 25% of the work involves higher-level duties with significant scope, complexity, and variety, including advanced patient assessments and clinical evaluations such as blood glucose measurement, medication reconciliation, oral cancer screening, dietary analysis for caries risk, pulse oximetry, comprehensive periodontal charting, and prophylaxis in complex restorative cases. The hygienist uses advanced medical assessment techniques to evaluate patient interviews and clinical findings, and adapts treatment to medical and psychological issues.

The role also includes patient education and safety, dental imaging, infection control and instrument sterilization, scheduling coordination, patient confidentiality and computer security, and completion of employee education and continuing education requirements. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position. The position is at the GS-10 level, with a full-performance level of GS-09. EDRP may be available to eligible applicants, subject to program requirements and approval; former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

Requirements

• Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program, or eligibility under the applicable grandfathering provision.
• Full, current, unrestricted dental hygienist license in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Meet radiographer certification requirements for administering radiologic procedures; an accredited dental hygiene program’s radiologic curriculum may satisfy the education requirement.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position.
• Demonstrate the required GS-09 knowledge, skills, and abilities, including knowledge of hygiene procedures, dental radiography and radiation safety, fluoride products, detection of plaque, calculus and oral abnormalities, patient education, and safe care based on medical history and comorbidities.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of medical assessment techniques, oral and dental anatomy, medical treatment adjuncts, and advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
• Demonstrate skill in safe prophylaxis, root planing, and soft-tissue curettage for complex periodontal or restorative cases and in providing care to patients with complex medical or psychiatric issues.
• Demonstrate ability to use adult education techniques and provide healthcare education to groups, interdisciplinary staff, and outside contacts.
• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exceptions for non-citizen appointments under applicable law.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including a physical examination and, for testing-designated positions, urinalysis; comply with background/security investigation and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation, and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced patient assessments and clinical evaluations, including blood glucose levels, medication reconciliation, oral cancer screening, dietary analysis for caries risk, pulse oximetry, and comprehensive periodontal charting.
• Adapt treatment based on patients’ medical and psychological issues using medical assessment techniques and evaluation of clinical findings.
• Review patient medical histories and provide direct dental hygiene care.
• Set up the operatory for planned dental procedures and clean the dental unit for timely turnover.
• Prepare and handle instruments safely and efficiently without delaying clinical care.
• Provide gross debridement, deep scaling, and root planing.
• Clean fixed and removable dental prostheses.
• Apply desensitizing and sealant materials.
• Administer topical and injectable local anesthetic agents.
• Screen inpatients on wards and coordinate dental care as needed.
• Maintain established productivity levels and manage the dental recall system, referring patients to a doctor for additional care when needed.
• Take diagnostic-quality dental images with accurate orientation and exposure, using radiation-safety techniques and minimizing retakes.
• Follow infection-control procedures and prepare instruments for sterilization according to SPS standards.
• Direct the MSA team on patient scheduling through Return to Clinic Orders and help fill schedule gaps caused by late cancellations and missed appointments.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in written and verbal information and follow computer security regulations.
• Adapt care to patients’ ages and abilities, including patient transfer and positioning; participate in patient identification and time-outs in accordance with TJC requirements.
• Provide patient and caregiver education about hygiene procedures, indications, complications, expected outcomes, and oral health needs.
• Comply with employee education requirements, complete mandatory annual training, and maintain continuing education requirements for licensure and certifications.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with a potential award up to $200,000.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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