Summary

The Dental Service within the Cheyenne VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for (1) Dental Hygienist located at the Loveland Colorado Clinic.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Education
• Applicants must possess an Associate degree or higher from an accredited dental hygiene program
• The degree must have been obtained from an institution whose accreditation was in place for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved programs are: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• (2) [Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited United States programs and would enable the candidate to sit for the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination - which is administered by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Licensure/Certification: Licensure
• Applicants must be 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
• Certification: P.L
• 97-35 - Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981 - requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel
• To meet this requirement - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Accredited dental hygiene 3 programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined above - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-05 Dental Hygienist - In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3.b. - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Experience
• None - beyond the basic requirements GS-06 Dental Hygienist - Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-06 - you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05)
• GS-06 Dental Hygienist - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience requirements at the GS-06 level - applicants must possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of oral prophylactic - therapeutic - and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases - or inflammation - or on patients with other medical and/or dental problems
• Knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra oral procedures
• Ability to use communication techniques to encourage and inform individuals and groups
• GS-07 Dental Hygienist - Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-07 - you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06)
• GS-07 Dental Hygienist - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience/education requirements at the GS-07 level - the applicant must possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of oral pathology to include disease of the hard and soft tissues - disorders of tooth structure - developmental and congenital anomalies - salivary gland disorders - symptoms of infectious disorders - and appropriate protocols
• Practical knowledge of medical diseases - conditions - and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment
• Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality
• GS-08 Dental Hygienist - Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-08 - you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) and fully meet the following KSAs at the GS-07 level
• GS-08 Dental Hygienist - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience and KSAs requirements at the GS-08 level - applicants must possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately
• to understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic use
• and to present for viewing
• Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters
• Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients - outpatients - Nursing Home Care Unit patients - etc
• GS-09 Dental Hygienist - Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - to qualify for the GS-09 - You must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) and fully meet the following KSAs at the GS-08 level
• GS-09 Dental Hygienist - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience and KSAs requirements at the GS-09 level - the applicant must possess the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication - complications and expected treatment outcomes for each
• Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment - radiation safety - assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films
• Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application
• Skill in detecting plaque and calculus - dental abnormalities/pathologies - assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure
• Skill in educating patients and caregivers on periodontal disease - wellness - health maintenance - oral hygiene practices - parafunctional habits - and effects of illness - addictions - medications and tobacco on the oral cavity
• Ability to assess the patient's medical - dental - anxiety/phobias - medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care
• Ability to assess the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health - recognize age-related changes in individual patients - adapt patient environment - and maximize patient's physical comfort
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS -9
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 5 to GS 9
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities of the position include: The Dental Hygienist sets up operatory for planned dental procedure by cleaning dental unit for timely turnover and handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently
• Incumbent provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions - gross debridement - deep scaling - and curettage and root planning procedures
• Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable - manages dental recall system - referring patients to the Dentist for additional care when needed
• Applies desensitizing and sealant materials - makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays - administers topical and local anesthetic agents - and provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition
• Performs dental imaging which consists of taking digital and/or conventional radiographs of in-patients and outpatients according to prescription - including periapical - bitewing - occlusal - panoramic - cephalometric - and 3D imaging
• Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized - therefore - imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame
• Responsible for Infection Control by demonstrating proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory as well as safety procedures in exposing images
• Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards and in a manner that does not delay clinical care
• Enters ADT orders into CPRS with information about future appointments and assists in filling gaps in the schedule to minimize missed opportunities
• Annotates chart findings - treatments plans - and treatment provided in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Maintains patient confidentiality per Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with written and verbal information and follows computer security regulations
• Incumbent observes and complies with all established safety practices
• Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities and provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission (TJC) requirements - assures Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are updated and monitors patient condition during treatment being alert for signs of physical distress
• Responsible for reporting any work-related injuries - illnesses - and diseases immediately to your supervisor
• Ensures that working conditions and work practices within the worksite are such that the possibilities of on-the-job injuries are minimized
• Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m
• - 5:00 p.m
• Compressed/Flexible: Compressed Tour available with supervisors approval Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 442-52781-A
• 442-52782-A
• 442-52783-A
• 442-52784-A
• 442-52785-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized