Summary

This position is in the Atlanta VA Health Care System. The incumbent will function as a Staff Dental Hygienist performing both routine and advanced clinical periodontal procedures and techniques at the Dental Clinic. The hygienist works under the general supervision of a Staff Dentist for all functional duties.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements at the date of application..

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
• Education: Associate Degree or higher in an accredited dental hygiene program
• This program must be accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
• 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 - Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer Radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75
• Essentially - 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Regulations
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement
• For a GS-8 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service
• An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials
• If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year - it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade - as required by the announcement
• In this instance - you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
• Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment
• Preferred Experience: yes Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 10
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 01 to 10
• Physical Requirements: yes

Duties

• An Incumbent at this grade level serve as (1) Staff Dental Hygienists performing advanced clinical techniques or serve as instructors for a dental hygiene program
• An Incumbent must be able to plan - coordinate - and conduct preventive oral health programs for various patient groups
• develop and modify instructional methods
• and develop methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the preventive dentistry program
• The Incumbent works closely with - and under the general direction of - a Dentist or Periodontist
• The Incumbent performs these advanced techniques - or these responsibilities as listed at least 25% of the time
• The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision
• Customer Service: - Shows courtesy - respect - and a positive attitude for patients - co-workers and the public - Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns - provides service recovery
• Patient Care: - Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Handles instruments safely - accurately - and efficiently - Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions Provides gross debridement - deep scaling - and curettage and root planning procedures Cleans dental prostheses - fixed and removable - Manages dental recall system - referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Applies desensitizing and sealant materials - Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays Administers topical anesthetic agents - Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Patient Education: - Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition - Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients - outpatients - and caregivers
• Dental Imaging: - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality - accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized - and retakes are minimized
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: - Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards - Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images
• Clerical Functions: - Assists patients in scheduling appointments - Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Charts findings - treatment plans - and treatment provided in patient records
• Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations
• Patient Safety: - Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients - Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements - Monitors patient condition during treatment - being alert for signs of physical distress Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51881A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized