Duties
The incumbent of this position is responsible for performing the duties of a dental hygienist in a hospital-based dental clinic at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. The incumbent serves as a staff dental hygienist at the full performance level. He/she is expected to provide direct patient care and receive guidance from supervisory staff for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist.
Interactions with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Employee will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work with others to implement the organization's mission and goals.
Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently, performing instrument sharpening. Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions. Provides gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planing procedures. Performs periodontal probing, with full periodontal assessment and charting if a pocket is detected exceeding 4mm. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Applies desensitizing material and Arestin as indicated. Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols.
Participates in patient identification and time-outs per Joint Commission requirements. Identifies patients due for comprehensive and periodic exams and appropriately refers patient to dentists for additional care when needed. Enters accurate appointment and recall orders for patients.
Assesses anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities for safe patient care. Performs full periodontal assessment and charting. Identifies dental disease and makes treatment management recommendations. Detects plaque and calculus and dental abnormalities/pathologies, assesses inflammation, and provides safe instrumentation for each procedure. Manages stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors). Maximizes patient's physical comfort and modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position).
Provides patient education appropriate to the patient's needs and oral condition. Provides post-procedure, tobacco cessation, and oral hygiene instruction to patient and/or caregiver.
Properly stores and maintains adequate levels of supplies in assigned rooms and operatories. If, at any time, the incumbent notices any supplies running low in the supply room, he/she immediately notifies the responsible person so that supplies can be reordered. Ensures instruments and unapproved items are not left in operatory during non-patient care hours.
Ensures medicaments are properly secured during and following patient care. Monitors expiration dates of all supplies, medications, and instruments throughout assigned areas. Performs Environment of Care Rounds for dental service to ensure all areas of the service are neat, functional, and within operational standards; places appropriate work orders to correct deficiencies and follows up to ensure resolution.
Reviews daily clinical schedules in advance to fully prepare and identify veterans due for routine examinations to maintain optimal oral health and meet National Dental Quality Indicators. Makes every effort to accommodate veteran appointments and fill schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patients' electronic health record in a timely manner.
Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers. Takes alginate impressions and mixes various types of dental materials according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Keeps clinical spaces, work areas, computer areas, and shared common areas neat, organized, and free of clutter. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories and all aspects of patient care. Properly disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions.
Maintains current radiography licensure. Captures imaging characterized by diagnostic quality and accurate orientation. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, retakes are minimized, and the incumbent has radiographs available on the operatory screen for provider review.
Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm, Variable based on supervisor's discretion
Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized at Supervisor's discretion
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 541-92261-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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.
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.
NOTE: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Basic Requirements:
- Citizenship: 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: Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
- Education: Must possess an Associate's 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:
- Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
- 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.
- Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
- 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 programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined in paragraph 3.b., the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-9
- Experience. At least one year of experience at the GS-8 level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- 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.
Preferred Experience:
- Ohio State Licensure (Obtained or Pending)
- 2 years experience in Dental Hygiene
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: Work requires some bending, stooping, lifting of supplies and long periods of standing and sitting.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Areas of Consideration - Preference veterans will receive first consideration and will be referred in the following order:
- CPS/CP: A veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent.
- XP: A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or is a purple heart recipient.
- TP: 5-point preference based on eligible active-duty service.
- SSP (Sole Survivorship Preference): Discharged from active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of a "sole survivorship discharge."
- All other qualified US citizens.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the
VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume (when listing previous employment please include month and year).
- If prior federal employee, your most recent SF-50 showing title, series, and grade.
- If prior military service, include all copies of your DD-214 or proof of service as well as proof of disability, if applicable. You must submit your documentation showing character of discharge.
Please use this
checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
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 02/14/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12668456.
- 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.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account,
https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
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.