Dental Hygienist

This announcement is being used to fill a position at each of these locations:

• CATAWBA SERVICE UNIT
• MID-ATLANTIC SERVICE UNIT - MONACAN CLINIC

The purpose of this position is to perform advanced prophylactic and preventive dental procedures in the treatment of patients with related medical and dental problems, such as diabetes, cardiac complications, severe cavities, and periodontal disease.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Licensure: Applicants for all grade levels and specializations must be currently licensed to practice as dental hygienists in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Radiology Certification: Applicants must have a current radiology certification.
NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (l) 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 (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements:(1) Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others.(2) Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided that such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

AND
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-06. Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Patient assessments (e.g. risk assessments, oral health assessments), prevention recommendations, prophylaxis, periodontal treatment for mild to moderate disease (e.g. scaling and root planing, full mouth debridement), Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) radiograph/image capture, fluoride treatment application, topical anesthesia administration, management of stable medically compromised patients (including risk factors).

NOTE: This same experience must be well-described in the application/resume that you complete and submit in addition to answering the application questionnaire. You MUST submit a copy of your license and radiographer certification.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Responsibilities:

• Perform complete and advanced oral prophylaxis on dental patients within the health clinic or mobile health units.
• Make repairs and adjustments to teeth by smoothing rough edges, remove overhanging margins, reduce sharp edges, and insert temporary fillings.
• Expose, develop, process, and mount radiographs including bite wing, periapical, and panoramic x-rays.
• Interpret routine x-rays to identify tooth structures, calculus, and abnormalities.
• Completes patient dental examinations referring abnormalities to dentist.
• Reviews medical histories, maintains patient records, provides lectures and demonstrations in oral health care.
• Provides patient education to patients in oral health care.
• Other duties as assigned.