Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene. They also educate patients about oral health. Position work at an ambulatory care health center for a family practice clinic. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

Duties

Dental hygienists typically do the following:

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Licensure Requirements: Current licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia Certification to administer radiologic procedures. You will be expected to take x-rays as part of your work as a Dental Assistant. Dental x-rays are a diagnostic tool that can help your dentist see any damage or disease that isn't visible to the naked eye. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, persons must (l) 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 (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these (basic) requirements: Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a Doctor of Medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others. Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence, as determined by OPM or the employing agency. In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for Grade GS-07: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service (GS-04) obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples include: examine and assess patients, determine if systemic conditions are present and plan treatments; independently and without direct observation perform oral prophylaxis and provide therapeutic care, perform deep scaling, root planning and subgingival curettage, place temporary fillings and administer local anesthesia, placie and remove rubber dams and apply sealant; provide oral health education services to individuals and groups; take, develop, and interpret intraoral and extraoral X-Rays; and design, implement, and evaluate major aspects of the preventive program MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for Grade GS-08: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service (GS-04) obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Examples of specialized experience for Dental Hygienist that equipped you to successfully perform the duties of this position at this grade level include the following examples: plan and evaluate preventive health programs for patient groups; develop and revise instructional material; administer oral prophylactic and dental hygiene treatments; under direct supervision administer local anesthesia; record medical and dental histories, administer caries prevention agents, desensitize root surfaces, root planning, sealant application, take and pour impressions for casts, removing sutures. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Evaluation of Education: The academic curriculum in dental hygiene must have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association.

Contacts

• Address Fort Hall Service Unit PO BOX 717 Fort Hall, ID 83203 US
• Name: Margaret Witt
• Phone: (503) 414-7732
• Email: [email protected]