Dental Hygienist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Summary

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. It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual

Duties

The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is located in the Dental Service at Bonham, TX Duties may include but are not limited to: 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 Record System (CPRS). 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. Annotates chart findings, treatments plans, and treatment provided in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). 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. Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays. Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed. Administers topical anesthetic agents. Administers local anesthesia (check to ensure hygienist's state license allows and certification 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 Performs dental imaging which consists of taking digital and/or conventional radiographs of in-patients and outpatients according to prescription, including periapical, bitewing, occlusal, panoramic, cephalometric, and 3D imaging. 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. Safety Observes and complies with all established safety practices. 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. Verifies that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are updated. Reports any work-related injuries, illnesses, and diseases immediately to the supervisor. Ensures that working conditions and work practices within the worksite are such that the possibilities of on-the-job injuries are minimized. Patient Safety Competency Statement: The incumbent will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient. Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the reporting procedures involving safety issues relating to patients. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Recruitment Incentives: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education - 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: Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 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 - 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, 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. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure, may be given a temporary appointment, not to exceed two years, as a graduate dental hygienist pending certification (GS-5 level only). Grandfathering Provision. All Dental Hygienist employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (07/23/2021) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. Grade Level Determination GS-05 Dental Hygienist (Entry Level Developmental) - No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements. GS-06 Dental Hygieni