Dental Hygienist Job in Oklahoma City, OK

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

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

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current excepted service federal employees.

Duties

Entry-Level Dental Hygienists, GS-5, provide direct patient care under the supervision of the dentist and receives daily and direct guidance at the site of work from higher-level or supervisory staff members. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for patient issues and require daily supervision at the site of work.

Developmental dental hygienists, GS-6, receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues, and require daily and direct contact at the site of work from the assigned supervisor. The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the direct supervision of the dentist and/or a senior dental hygienist. Other clinical and clerical functions are performed under general supervision.

Staff dental hygienists, GS-7, perform more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the GS-6 level. The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions under general supervision.

Staff dental hygienists, GS-8, perform direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist, and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members only for the most complex patients.

Staff dental hygienists, GS-9, perform advanced clinical techniques, under general supervision of the dentist. In addition to providing general duties of a hygienist, the employee would be supervising dental hygiene students during their rotation through VA Dental Clinic. The employee would be responsible for providing dental hygiene education for both inpatient and outpatient areas.

The major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

Customer Service

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, management, and the public
• Assists customers with questions, or concerns, provided service recovery

• Sets up operatory for a planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover;
• Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently;
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include the application of fluoride solutions;
• Provides gross debridement, scaling, and root planning procedures;
• Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable;
• Manages dental recall system, consulting with the doctor for additional care;
• Administers topical anesthetic agents;
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols.

• Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition;
• Provides individual and group oral health care instruction to patients and caregivers.

• Takes radiographic images characterized by diagnostic quality, accurate orientation, and proper exposure;
• Retakes are minimal and at the direction of the dentist;
• Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques.

• Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory;
• Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards;
• Prepares instruments efficiently in a manner that does not delay clinical care;
• Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images.

• Assists patients in scheduling appointments;
• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments;
• Charts findings and treatment provided in patient records.
• Information Management
• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information;
• Follows computer security regulations.

• 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 TJC requirements;
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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 04/11/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12638027.

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.