Career Center

This position is located at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center to include all CBOC, PTOC, and Rural Health Clinics. This position provides direct support to the Patient Aligned Care Teams at Walla Walla-WA, Richland-WA, La Grande-OR, Lewiston-ID, Yakima-WA, Enterprise-OR, and Boardman-OR sites. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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. Exception. 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) for a period not to exceed 2 years. Failure to obtain certification during this time period may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 REQUIREMENTS Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-5 Dental Hygienist (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-6 Dental Hygienist (Developmental Level 1) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases, or inflammation, or on patients with other medical and/or dental problems; 2. Ability to use communication techniques to encourage and inform individuals and groups; and 3. Knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra oral procedures. GS-7 Dental Hygienist (Developmental Level 2) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level 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: 1. 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; 2. Practical knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment; and 3. Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques in order to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality. GS-8 Dental Hygienist (Developmental Level 3) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level 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, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-7 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of state of the art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training; 2. 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; 3. Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.; and 4. Knowledge of VA, The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters. GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level 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: 1. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each. 2. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films. 3. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application. 4. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure. 5. 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. 6. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care. 7. 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. ["Candidates at this grade level serve as (1) staff dental hygienists performing advanced clinical techniques, or serve as instructors for a dental hygiene program, or (2) in a lead or supervisory capacity for lower graded dental hygienist and/or dental assistants. Employees plan, coordinate, and conduct preventive oral health programs for various patient groups; develop and modify instructional methods; and develop methods for evaluating the effectiveness of the preventive dentistry program. Employees work closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist or periodontist. Candidate performs these advanced techniques, or these responsibilities as listed at least 25% of the time. 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. Other Functions: Customer Service:\n- Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public\n- Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery Patient Care: - Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently\n- Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions Provides gross debridement, deep scaling, and curettage and root planning procedures Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable\n- Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed Applies desensitizing and sealant materials\n- Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays Administers topical anesthetic agents\n- Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols Expanded duties:\n- Administers local anesthetic for restorative procedures, places a rubber dam with appropriate clamp, places restorative material, contours fillings, checks occlusion, and polishes restorations. Places temporary fillings when indicated Patient Education:\n- Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition\n- Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers Dental Imaging: - Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:\n- Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards\n- Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Clerical Functions:\n- Assists patients in scheduling appointments\n- Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations Patient Safety:\n- Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients\n- Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements\n- Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Work Schedule for Walla Walla: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]