Dental Hygienist Job in Biloxi, MS

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under announcement # CBST-12571515-25-DAY.

The duties of a Dental Hygienist in the Dental Service include, but are not limited to:

Patient Care

• Provides direct patient care and receives guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and requires only general supervision from a Dentist.
• Performs patient medical assessment (e.g., medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting).
• 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 and making impressions for fluoride carrier trays.
• Provides gross debridement, deep scaling, curettage, and root planing 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.
• Administers topical anesthetic agents, local anesthetic (per State license), and local anti-infective agents as directed by the Dentist.
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols.

• Routinely interacts in a professional and courteous manner with managers, co-workers and other employees to accomplish the work of the organization.
• Works with the Lead Dental Assistant and/or Supervisory Dental Assistant to provide input on general chairside assisting, works as a team player, and maintains efficient flow of patient care.
• Facilitates team or unit processes by working collaboratively with team members or employees to ensure that tasks are completed.
• Possess knowledge of clinic processes and services to function in and interact with various clinics throughout the hospital.

• Responsible for providing patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition (e.g., post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention).
• Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers.
• Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

• Interprets radiographs and dental images. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed.
• Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques, and ensures retakes are minimized.

• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory.
• Ensures instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by Sterile Processing Service standards and in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.

• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments, charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records.
• Orients dental staff to basic administrative/clinical policies and procedures dealing with dental care and other administrative topics.

• Maintains patient confidentiality per the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) with written and verbal information.
• Enters, corrects, and retrieves information from automated systems and applications such as Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA), VistA Scheduling Enhancements, Computerized Patient Record System, and Dental Record Management Plus.
• Utilizes Microsoft Word or comparable word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting/receiving e-mail..
• Uses Microsoft Excel or other comparable spreadsheet software to develop and change spreadsheets in order to graphically display data.

• Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
• Participates in patient information and time out per Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requirements.
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs for physical distress.

• Complies with employee education requirements.
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
• Prepares and presents monthly safety training to Dental Service line staff.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• All qualified candidates encouraged to apply. Open to U.S. Citizens but non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/15/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12571514.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.