Dental Hygienist (Saturdays Only) Job in Greenville, SC

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

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

Duties

Duties:

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.
• Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery; Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals, personal preferences, and freedom of choice.
• Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family-centered care in written care plans, instructions to patients, and in observation of the actual care provided.
• Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families.
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover.
• Complies with patient identification, time-out, and reusable medical equipment processes.
• Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Takes and records vital signs, reviews medical history.
• Charts oral conditions.
• Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities; Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health.
• Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients, adapts patient environment, and maximizes patient's physical comfort.
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care.
• Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planning procedures.
• Provides subgingival curettage.
• Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable.
• Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes.
• Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed; Administers topical anesthetic agents; Applies desensitizing agents.
• Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps, water lines, etc.
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols.
• Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition.
• Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver.
• Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, and effect of illness, addictions, medications, and tobacco on the oral cavity.
• Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed; Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes.
• Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory and in exposing images.
• Properly prepares instruments for sterilization by SPS standards; Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care.
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments.
• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments.
• 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);
• Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities.
• 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.
• Complies with Employee Education requirements.
• Completes mandatory annual training sessions.
• Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure, certifications, etc.

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 evaluation.
• 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 09/30/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12642094.

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.