The position is located in the Dental Department of the Acute Care Product Line at the Lebanon VA Medical Center. The hygienist enhances the dentist's capabilities by assuming preventive dentistry procedures, and performing periodontal intervention, which can be delegated. The educational aspect is to teach proper oral hygiene to patients and staff in order to prevent or control oral disease. Note: Duties and responsibilities will vary depending upon selected grade.

Duties

The Dental Hygienist is responsible to the Supervisory Dental Hygienist or general duties, and specific patient care including education. The Hygienist provides independent care with occasional input from the staff dentists. Treatment provided is reviewed by the staff dentists or the Chief, as appropriate. The duties and responsibilities of this position are primarily performed in the Dental Clinic but may also be performed on the various wards. Please note, the following functions are not limited to and other duties may be assigned based upon the selected grade level. Develops oral care plans to meet the needs of different patient groups, and individuals. interacts with ward and clinic level staffs, especially nursing staff, to promote oral health, and to solve oral hygiene delivery for problem patients. Suggests adaptive devices for handicapped patients. Especially targeted are new nursing personnel for demonstrations, and on-the-job training in daily oral hygiene care. Monitors the effectiveness of the Oral Health Preventive Dentistry Program and gathers data on oral hygiene performance. Follows up with identified problems, e.g., patients, wards, clinics, to assist staff to develop more effective programs for oral health. Performs preventive, prophylactic, and other patient care procedures for inpatients and outpatients, and performs related duties. Removes sub and supra gingival calculus, using hand and ultrasonic instruments, and cleans and polishes teeth and dental prostheses. Treats debilitated patients on wards by toothbrushing, fluoride treatments, denture prophylaxis, etc. Performs screening oral examinations, and produces dental radiographs as needed. Recognizes intra-oral pathology, including soft-tissue lesions, chronic and acute periodontal conditions and caries, and refers the patient to a dentist for definitive diagnosis or treatment. May take impressions and pours casts for study models. Applies topical fluorides and other agents for control of dental disease. Is familiar with and adheres to Dental Service's infection control policy. Sharpens instruments. Between the treatment of patients, cleans and disinfects the dental unit, chair, and work area. Performs routine preventive maintenance in the dental treatment room. Records treatment performed in the Dental Record Manager (DRM) system, as well as in the patients' records. Schedules patients efficiently. Contacts patients through established procedures to fill vacant times in the schedule. Performs other duties within the Dental Service as deemed appropriate by the Chief of Dentistry, e.g., clerical, and chairside assisting duties. The Hygienist uses initiative in performing recurring clinic maintenance, record keeping, and routine patient care without specific instructions. Problems are referred to the Chief of Service or referring dentist, as appropriate. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates, and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies, and procedures. Handles conflict and problems, in dealing with the customer, constructively and appropriately. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: hours will be discussed during the interview Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. Applicants must possess an Associate 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: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). (2) 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/Certification (1) 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. (2) 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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements outlined, the following criteria must be met when determining grades. Dental Hygienist, GS-08 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-07 level, must demonstrate the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training. ii. 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. iii. Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters. iv. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc. Dental Hygienist, GS-09 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade 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, must demonstrate the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each. ii. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films. iii. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application. iv. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure. v. 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. vi. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care. vii. 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: VA Handbook 5005/146 PART II APPENDIX G37, July 23, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Andrea Stine
• Phone: 717-272-6621 X5065
• Email: [email protected]