The Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) will serve as part of the New Mexico VA Health Care System Dental Service. The Dental Hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. The Dental Hygienist will plan, coordinate and conduct preventive oral health programs for various patient groups, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Duties

The Dental Hygienists (Advanced Clinical) at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. They work closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist or periodontist. The Dental Hygienists will develop and modify instructional methods; and develop methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the preventive dentistry program. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Show courtesy, respect, and a positive- attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Address customer questions or concerns, provide service recovery. 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, scaling and root planning procedures. 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. Make impressions for fluoride carrier trays. Apply topic anesthetic agents. Administer local anesthetic via block and infiltration (GS-10). Provide patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition. Accomplish all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available 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 PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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). 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. 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 Determinations: GS-10 (Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)) Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) that is directly related to the position being filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge of medical assessment techniques including interviewing and evaluating clinical findings (e.g. normal and critical lab values) to adapt treatment based on medical and psychological issues. Advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy including root anatomy, common pathologies and anomalies, and indications for advanced radiographic imaging and proper technique to detect potential abnormalities. Skill in providing safe and thorough prophylaxis, root planing and soft-tissue curettage for complex periodontal and/or restorative cases and skill in providing safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues. Knowledge of medical treatment adjuncts and indications and the ability to safely administer medicaments (e.g. intrasulcular medicaments, local anesthesia, sulcular lavage, applying and removing periodontal surgical dressing). Knowledge of advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, indication for use and ability to utilize safely (e.g. sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers). Ability to apply adult education techniques/methods, organize curriculum, judge cognitive ability, and provide healthcare education regarding relationships between medical and dental pathologies to groups, interdisciplinary staff, and other outside contacts. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18- Psychologist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44b lbs); Light Lifting (under 15 lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44lbs); Light Carrying (under 15 lbs); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing (up to 3 hours); Both Legs Required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).

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 Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Tyrone Andrews-Bey-Beyah
• Phone: (313) 683-3807
• Email: [email protected]