DENTAL HYGIENIST
Location: Austin Texas
Description: Department Of Veterans Affairs is hiring DENTAL HYGIENIST right now, this occupation will be placed in Texas. For complete informations about this occupation opportunity kindly read the description below. Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 908204
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by s! erving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
How would you like to become a part of a team
providing compassionate care to veterans?
As a
professional at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), your opportunities
are endless. With many openings in the
multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and
leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most
technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we
also provide many other services to veterans through the Benefits
Administration and National Cemeteries.
VA professionals
feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety
of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.
The
Department of Veterans Affairs - Central Texas Health Care System is
located in Temple, Texas, ! which is centrally located between Austin and
Dallas. It i! s one of the VAÂ's largest integrated health care systems
with facilities in Austin, Brownwood, Cedar Park, Palestine,
Bryan-College Station and Waco. No State Income Tax.
For more information on the Department of
Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ .
Note: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidateÂ's education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses a! re not authorized for this position.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Must pass pre-employment examination
Must be proficient in written and spoken English
Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
Background and-or Security Investigation required DUTIES:
POSITION TITLE: Dental Hygienist
DUTY HOURS: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Major Duties and
Responsibilities
1. The incumbent provides a full range of oral
prophylactic and preventive dentistry services for veteran beneficiaries.
2. The incumbent plans and administers a hospital-wide
preventive dentistry program. This is
designed to provide complete oral health education and dental hygiene treatment
for diverse patient groups with assistance from members of the Dental Service
and the nursing staff throughout the hospital (if applicable).
3. Performs a complete prophylaxis on ambulatory
and non-ambu! latory patients. Performs
deep gingival scaling, root planing, and ! curettage. Polishes teeth and applies stannous fluoride
for hypersensitivity and caries prevention.
Gives home care instructions to patient after prophylaxis and
curettage. Provides bedside prophylactic
and preventive treatment using special procedures for comatose patients,
neurosurgical patients, orthopedic patients, and other types of nonambulatory
patients (if applicable).
4. The
incumbent completes preliminary dental exams on new Dental Service patients:
a.
Reviews patientÂ's medical and dental history for evidence of past and
present conditions such as medical illnesses or use of drugs, which may
complicate or alter dental hygiene treatment.
b.
Examines teeth and surrounding tissues for evidence of plaque and
periodontal disease and charts findings.
c.
Inspects the mouth and surrounding soft issue for evidence of diseases
such as oral cancer.
d.
Interprets routine ! dental x-rays to identify tooth structure, calculus,
and abnormalities such as, caries and deep bone periodontal pockets.
e.
Refers caries, traumatic occlusion, or any suspicious lesions or
abnormalities to a dentist.
f.
Prepares dental hygiene treatment plan for patients, including oral
hygiene care required and sequence of appointments needed to complete the
treatment.
5. In the postoperative care of oral surgery and
peridontal surgery patients, the incumbent performs suture removal, dressing
pack changes, applies topical anesthetic and drugs, and provides home care
instructions. In oral cancer patients
with osteoradionecrosis special
impressions for construction of stints used in fluoride techniques are
accomplished. Maintains recall system
for careful follow-up of each patient in this category.
6. Educates patients on need for daily oral
health and fluoride therapy.
7. R! egularly instructs nurses and nursing
assistants in the proper tech! nique of oral hygiene and preventive dentistry as
applies to bedridden, handicapped, disabled, and chronically ill patients.
8. Presents lectures and demonstrations
regarding the oral health care of various patient groups such as diabetics,
hemodialysis patients, psychiatric patients and drug or alcohol dependent
patients using slides, denture models, toothbrushes, charts, and other dental
educational materials.
9. Exposes, develops, and processes radiographs
on patients including panoramic, bite wings, and periapical x-rays. Selects type of x-ray which will be necessary
for the patientÂ's mouth, adjusting voltage, amperage, and timing of x-ray
exposure.
10. Maintains a patient record of treatment. Recording oral condition of the teeth and
surrounding tissues, progress and therapy notes, and type of
treatment administered.
11. In the performance of these duties the
incumbent may be assigned to p! rovide coverage at any site.
12. Maintains data on each patient and enters
this data into the computer system manually or through the data card
reader. Has regular access to printed
and electronic files containing sensitive data which has been protected under
the provisions of the privacy act, federal regulations, and VA policies. Responsible to protect that data from
unauthorized deletion and to follow applicable regulations and instructions
regarding access to computerized files, etc., as set forth in a computer
agreement which the incumbent has signed.
This is a BARGAINING UNIT position. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
b. 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, or the District of Columbia .
c.! Certification
(1)
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.
(2)
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 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain licensure during that
period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment.
(3)
Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable.
(4) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who
fails to obtain licensure/certification/
registration
registration
must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of
employment.
d. English Language Proficiency. Dental hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Preferred Experience:
Periodontal practice experience and/or experience with medically compromised patients.
** IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. **
GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
a. Definitions
(1) Creditable Experience
(a) Knowledge of Current Professional Dental
Hygienist Practices. To be
creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills,
abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as Â"core competenciesÂ")
associated with current professional dental hygiene prac! tice. Evidence of such experience includes
experience in private pr! actice, or local/state/federal health care facilities.
(b) Quality of Experience. Experience in private practice and with
local/state/federal health care facilities must be verified with the
practitioner or the supervising officers.
(c) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a dental hygienist is
credited according to its relationship to full-time workweek. For example, a dental hygienist would receive
1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.
b. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for
employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of
candidates.
(1) GS-4
(a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
(b) Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a dental
hygienist career development position.
It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff
members for patient issues, and r! equire daily close supervision.
(2) GS-5
(a) Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year
of experience at the next lower level, OR completion of a 4-year course
of study leading to a bachelorÂ's degree in dental hygiene or in a directly
related field of study. In addition, the
candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities
1 .
Ability to communicate orally and in writing with a variety of people
from diverse backgrounds.
2 .
Knowledge of oral anatomy, physiology, histology, periodontology,
nutrition, pharmacology, microbiology, principles and techniques of dental
hygiene, oral disease etiology, preventive dentistry, diet counseling, dental
instruments, and dental materials.
3 . K nowledge
of radiation protection standards devices and techniques including concepts of
accumulated dosage an! d genetic changes, effects of radiation on living
organisms, and th! e effects of X-ray techniques on patient and operator exposure
in order to assure that adequate safeguards are maintained.
(c) Assignment. Employees at this level serve in a career
development position as staff dental hygienists. It is expected that they receive relatively
less guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily supervision
at the site of work.
(3) GS-6
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next
lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that
level. In addition, the candidate must
demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities
1 .
Knowledge of advanced oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive
procedures in cases or periodontal diseases, or inflammation, or on patients
with other medical and/or dental problems;
2 .
Ability to use communication techniques to ! persuade and inform
individuals and groups; and
3 . Knowledge of dental methods and techniques
used in performing intra and extra oral procedures.
(c) Assignment. Employees at this level serve as staff dental
hygienists. It is expected that they
receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient
issues and require daily and direct contact at the site of work from the
assigned supervisor.
(4) GS-7
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next
lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that
level. In addition, the candidate must
demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities
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 infe! ctious disorders, and appropriate
protocols;
2 .
Pract! ical knowledge of medical diseases and conditions such as cancer,
HIV, radiation therapy, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, bulimia, anorexia,
pregnancy, and chronic and 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 with a minimum of retakes.
(c) Assignment. Employees at this level serve as staff dental
hygienists. It is expected that they
perform more complex work while receiving less frequent supervision than at the
GS-6 level.
(5) GS-8
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience at the next
lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that
level. In addition, the candidate must
demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities
1 .
Knowledge of state of the art preven! tive 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 organs appearing on the film and the various
stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for
diagnostic use; and to correctly mount them 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, Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining
to dental matters.
(c) Assignment. Employees at this level serve as staff dental
hygienists at the full performance level, receiving little to no guidance from!
more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues, an! d require
general supervision.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G37 ( http://vaww1.va.gov/ohrm/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf ).
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
!
Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13Â" to 16Â"; Hearing (aid permitted); Ability to assist in the transfer of wheelchair and electric cart patients to and from the dental chair.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.
Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible f! or 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans)! must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .
HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. BENEFITS:
Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits! .asp .
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. [HR users - input the following if applicable to your JOA] VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
OTHER INFORMATION:
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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If you were eligible to this occupation, please email us your resume, with salary requirements and a resume to Department Of Veterans Affairs.
If you interested on this occupation just click on the Apply button, you will be redirected to the official website
This occupation starts available on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:28:23 GMT