Dental Hygienist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200
-000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

• 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)
• Education completed outside of the United States must be considered at least equivalent to that gained in CODA accredited United States 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 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
• 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
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-5 Dental Hygienist Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-6 Dental Hygienist Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills - and Abilities (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
• 3. Knowledge of dental methods and techniques used in performing intra and extra oral procedures
• GS-7 Dental Hygienist Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• AND 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 infectious disorders - and appropriate protocols
• 2. Practical knowledge of medical diseases - conditions - and chronic degenerative diseases as they relate to dental health and treatment
• 3. Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques in order to produce radiographs of high diagnostic quality
• GS-8 Dental Hygienist Experience
• At least 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills - and Abilities
• 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…