Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. The dental hygienist provides direct patient care under the general supervision of the dentist and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently. Employees work closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist, periodontist or other specialist.

Major Duties: Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery 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. Medical treatment adjuncts, indications, and safely administer medicaments (e.g. intrasulcular medicaments, local anesthesia, sulcular lavage, applying/removing periodontal surgical dressings); Utilizes advanced medical assessment techniques (interviewing patients and evaluating clinical findings such as normal and critical lab values) and adapts treatment based on medical and psychological issues. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently; take and records vital signs; review medical history; and chart 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. Indicates use for, and utilizes adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment safely (e.g. sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers) Provide safe and thorough prophylaxis, gross debridement, scaling and root planing, and soft-tissue curettage for complex periodontal and restorative cases. Provide safe care for patients with complex medical/psychiatric issues. Clean dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Apply appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes. Administer topical anesthetic agents, local anesthesia, and apply desensitizing agents. Perform routine maintenance of equipment components. Manage dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed. Accomplish all procedures within standard infection-control protocols. Provide patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition. Explain hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver. Prepare 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. Apply adult education techniques/methods to educate patients and judges patients' cognitive abilities. Take diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed while following dental-imaging safety techniques. 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. 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 for procedures while not causing a delay to care. Assist patients in scheduling appointments. Assist filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA. Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Other Duties Are Assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:45 am - 4:15 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10619F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.