Dental Hygienist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit their EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program approval determines the award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) after review of the application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency.
• Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7402(d).
• Education:
  
  Applicants 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: (1) Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). (2) Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited U.S. 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:
  Applicants must currently hold a full‑current and unrestricted license in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• Certification:
  Requirements for radiologic personnel are described in P.L. 97‑35 and Part 75 of 42 C.F.R. Applicants must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, be accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. Accredited dental hygiene programs that address radiologic procedures meet the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
• Grandfathering Provision:
  Candidates may qualify based on coverage by the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who meet the criteria).
• Experience:
  • GS‑05 – None beyond the basic requirements.
  • GS‑06 – At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS‑05).
  • GS‑06 KSAs:
    Knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases or inflammation or patients with other medical and/or dental problems; knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra‑oral procedures; ability to use communication techniques to encourage and inform individuals and groups.
  • GS‑07 – At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS‑06) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
  • GS‑07 KSAs:
    Knowledge of oral pathology, including 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; practical knowledge of medical diseases, conditions, and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment; knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality.
  • GS‑08 – At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS‑07) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
  • GS‑08 KSAs:
    Knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training; knowledge of anatomy and physiology to interpret examination requests accurately; understanding of the functioning and interrelationship of various anatomical structures appearing on radiographic images; knowledge of The Joint Commission,…