This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Duties listed below are for full performance level (GS-9), developmental grades will differ in scope and level of oversight. Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care: 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. Patient Care: 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 planing 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; Administers local anesthesia (Provided state license allows and the certifications is current) Applies desensitizing agents; Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps, water lines, etc.; Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols. Patient Education: 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. Dental Imaging: Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed; Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes. Infection control and Equipment Sterilization: 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. Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments; Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; Follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety: 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. Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements; Completes mandatory annual training sessions; Maintains all continuing education requirements for professional licensure, certifications, etc. Work Schedule: 7:30AM - 4PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: Be a Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C 7407(a), Administrative Provisions for Section 7405 and 7406 Appointments. English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). 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 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. 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. Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist. (a) 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), Temporary Full Time Appointments, Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years. (b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level. (c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (d) Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Dental Hygienist, GS-05 Experience. None, beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees at this level serve in entry level dental hygienist positions. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for patient issues and require daily supervision at the site of work. Dental Hygienist, GS-06 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-5). Assignment. Employees at this level serve as developmental level 1 dental hygienists. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues and require daily and direct contact at the site of work from the assigned supervisor. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases, or inflammation, or on patients with other medical and/or dental problems. ii. Knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra oral procedures. iii. Ability to use communication techniques to encourage and inform individuals and groups. Dental Hygienist, GS-07 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-6) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Assignment. Employees at this level serve as developmental level 2 dental hygienists. It is expected that they perform more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the GS-6 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i. 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. ii. Practical knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment. iii. Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality. Dental Hygienist, GS-08 Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-7) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Assignment. Employees at this level serve as developmental level 3 dental hygienists with the ability to perform direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist. It is expected that they receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: patient assessments (e.g. risk assessments, oral health assessments), prevention recommendations, prophylaxis, periodontal treatment for mild to moderate disease (e.g. scaling and root planing, full mouth debridement), Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) radiograph/image capture, fluoride treatment application, topical anesthesia administration and management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-07 level, the candidate 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. Qualifications continued in Education section...

Education

...Dental Hygienist, GS-09

• Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-8) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Assignments. Employees at this level serve as staff dental hygienists at the full performance level. They provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to patient medical assessment (e.g. medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting), disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planing, radiographs/image interpretation, patient education (e.g. post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries and perio-disease prevention), behavior management, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors), instrument sharpening, inter-service communication.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate 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-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: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs), light lifting ( under 15 lbs.), use of fingers, both hands, standing, repeated bending, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, depth perception, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include radiation (X-rays).

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]