Duties

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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. 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 dental specialist. 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.

• Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Ability to answer patient and family questions about dental eligibility

• Reviews medical/dental history and consults medical/dental providers as necessary
• Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover and always adheres to universal precautions.
• Provides routine oral prophylactic care to include application of fluoride solutions and resins
• Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planning procedures, mechanical and laser curettage procedures as indicated and with equipment availability.
• Cleans dental prostheses; fixed and removable
• Manages dental recall system as directed by management
• Applies desensitizing and sealant materials, and sulcular antibiotics and antimicrobials per direction of dentist
• Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays, study models and night guards
• Administers topical and local anesthetic agents
• Monitors dental assistant polishing
• Accomplishes periodontal probing
• Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols
• Provides local anesthesia as necessary
• Administer local anesthesia with appropriate training and licensure.

• Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral conditions
• Prepares and provides individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers.

• mages are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed using digital intra-oral radiography, panoramic image, and working knowledge of the digital systems Planmeca, Midmark, and MIPACS Software.
• Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized

• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up/cleaning the operatory and delivery of care
• Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures
• Follows clinic SOP for cleaning and disinfecting reusable medical equipment

• Assists patients in selecting appointments for both hygiene and other dental procedures
• Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in Dental Record Manager Plus
• Utilize VA computer system to retrieve information pertinent to patient's care on a daily

• Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information

• Modifies patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position)Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients
• Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements
• Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress

• Complies with Employee Education requirements
• Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions
• Complete biennial OSHA infection control training and Healthcare Provider CPR
• Completes required continuing education requirements to maintain dental hygiene license
• Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to patients and other staff regarding the practice of effective oral hygiene techniques
• Skill in presenting oral hygiene lectures and demonstrations, and developing training materials

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • License
  • Resume
  • Transcript

  
  
  VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850C | Veterans Affairs.

  • CV or Resume: Resume must include how to contact you, descriptions of jobs held including the name and address of the employer, job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date, (month and year) of employment , and average hours worked per week. (Required)

  • VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf ) (Requested) (MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON PAGES 3 and 4).

  • SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action must submit your latest SF-50 showing your current grade, step and salary. (NOTE: Award SF-50 are normally not acceptable due to the grade step and salary missing.)(Required).

  • Copy of Transcripts -Can be official or unofficial but MUST have the degree conferred and date degree conferred and must show the college you attended. (Required).

  • Copy of License must submit a legible current copy of your certification (Required).

  • Optional Form 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment (Available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of030pdf ). (Not required but if selected will complete it)

  • Poof of Radiologic certification. (Requested)

  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  
  

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • 10-2850c
  • Certification accreditation recognized by the Dept of Education and be certified as radiographers.
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript

  
  
  Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/06/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11972824.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

  • Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

  
  NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  
  To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

  Agency contact information

  Phillip Narey

  Phone

  720-723-4833

  Email

  phillip.narey@va.gov

  Address

  Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center
  1011 Honor Heights Drive
  Muskogee, OK 74401
  US

  Next steps

  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
  
  NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Current, Permanent Federal Employees of other agencies, US Citizen's, and Veterans. This also includes Health Professional Trainees who have or are completing their program. First Consideration will be given to current permanent employees of EOVAHCS. Health Professional Trainees who have or are completing their program may be non-competitively considered.