Dental Hygienist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

<p>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. It is expected that they provide direct patient care and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is located in the Dental Service at Bonham, TX Duties may include but are not limited to: Customer Service/Veteran-Centered Care Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers, and the public. Assists customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery. Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals, personal preferences, and freedom of choice. Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family-centered care in written care plans, instructions to patients, and in observation of the actual care provided. Demonstrates non-judgmental understanding of the Veteran's and family's knowledge, values, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds. Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families. Patient Record System (CPRS). 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. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Takes and records vital signs, reviews medical history. Charts oral conditions. Annotates chart findings, treatments plans, and treatment provided in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). 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. Provides routine oral prophylactic care. Provides gross debridement, scaling and root planning procedures. Provides subgingival curettage. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes. Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays. Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed. Administers topical anesthetic agents. Administers local anesthesia (check to ensure hygienist's state license allows and certification is current). Applies desensitizing agents. Performs routine maintenance of equipment components such as suction traps, water lines, etc. Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection-control protocols Patient Education Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition. Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver. Prepares 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. Dental Imaging Performs dental imaging which consists of taking digital and/or conventional radiographs of in-patients and outpatients according to prescription, including periapical, bitewing, occlusal, panoramic, cephalometric, and 3D imaging. Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed. Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes. Demonstrates 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 in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Safety Observes and complies with all established safety practices. Modifies care as appropriate for patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Modifies care based on patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per TJC requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Verifies that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are updated. Reports any work-related injuries, illnesses, and diseases immediately to the supervisor. Ensures that working conditions and work practices within the worksite are such that the possibilities of on-the-job injuries are minimized. Patient Safety Competency Statement: The incumbent will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient. Incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the reporting procedures involving safety issues relating to patients. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Recruitment Incentives: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). 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.<h3>Education</h3>Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.