Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent other Federal Agency employees 2. Veterans 3. The Public - US Citizens Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

Internal to an agency

Customer Service

• Show courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers, and the public
• Provide assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provide service recovery

Patient Care

• Set up operatory for planned dental procedure and clean dental unit for timely turnover
• Handle instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently
• Provide routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions
• Provide gross debridement
• Provide scaling/root planning and periodontal supportive treatment
• Work with Staff Periodontist on the treatment and recall of periodontal patients
• Clean dental prostheses, fixed and removable
• Manage dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed
• Apply desensitizing and sealant materials as directed by the dentist
• Make impressions for fluoride carrier trays
• Administer topical anesthetics
• Administer local anesthetic consistent with care being provided
• Accomplish all procedures within standard infection control protocols

Patient Education

• Provide patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition
• Prepare and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to patients and caregivers

Dental Imaging

• Characterize images by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed
• Use dental imaging safety techniques and minimize retakes

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization

• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory
• Prepare instruments for sterilization by SPS standards
• Prepare instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care
• Demonstrate proper infection control procedures in exposing images

Clerical Functions

• Assist patients in scheduling appointments
• Assist in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Chart findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records

Information Management

• Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information
• Follow computer security regulations

Patient Safety

• Modify care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)
• Provide accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participate in patient identification and time out per VA/Joint Commission requirements
• Monitor patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress

Employee Education

• Comply with Employee Education and TMS requirements
• Complete mandatory annual safety training sessions

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available upon request
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
• 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).
  • 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.
• 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. Accredited dental hygiene programs contain curriculum addressing radiologic procedures which will meet the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
  • Exception. Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental hygienist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed 2 years. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment.
• English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-5 Dental Hygienist
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-6 Dental Hygienist
Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases, or inflammation, or on patients with other medical and/or dental problems;
2. Ability to use communication techniques to encourage and inform individuals and groups; and
3. Knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra oral procedures.

GS-7 Dental Hygienist
Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. 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;
2. Practical knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment; and
3. Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques in order to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality.

GS-8 Dental Hygienist
Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-7 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of state of the art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training;
2. 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;
3. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.; and
4. Knowledge of VA, The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters.

GS-9 Dental Hygienist
Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each.
2. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films.
3. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application.
4. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure.
5. 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.
6. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care.
7. 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.

References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/.

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: Light lifting (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, both hands required, repeated bending (1 hour), and mental & emotional stability. Environmental factors include outside & inside, constant noise, and working closely with others.

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.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.


The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

NOTE: Claiming Agency or Federal Employee Eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent (not more than 1 year old) Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 (Not an award SF-50). Your SF-50 must include:

• Position title, pay plan/series/grade
• Tenure code
• Position Occupied - type of appointment (Competitive or Excepted)

Within Grade Increase, General Adjustments, or Promotion SF-50's are best, Award SF-50's do not include this pertinent information.

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.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps