USA Staffing

Position Title: Dental Hygienist
Agency: Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number: CBSX-12698446-25-MB-OCA Opens in new window
Open Period: Friday, February 21, 2025 to Thursday, May 22, 2025

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

1. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.

A. Yes, I am considered a political appointee as described under 5 U.S.C. sections 5312 through 5316.

B. Yes, I am considered a Non-career Senior Executive Service (SES), Limited Term SES, Limited Emergency SES Executive Branch employee.

C. Yes, I am considered a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or appointee who served in a political capacity under agency-specific authority in the Executive Branch.

D. Yes, I am considered a political appointee in the Executive Branch (as described in a., b. or c above) in a covered position in an agency having an interchange agreement with OPM, which allows movement from the agency's system to the competitive civil service.

E. None of the above. I am not considered a current or recent (last 5 years) political appointee as described above in items a, b, c, or d.

Your resume must be submitted in English and include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages or encrypted, and digitally signed documents linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.

By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).

2. Are you willing to accept the conditions of employment as indicated in the announcement?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Applicants are required to undergo and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening test and must submit to random drug testing after employment. Will you comply with this requirement?

A. Yes

B. No

4. Are you willing to undergo a pre-employment physical?

A. Yes

B. No

5. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Are you proficient in basic written and spoken English?

A. Yes

B. No

In order to receive appropriate consideration, you should submit proper documentation if you are claiming eligibility for Veterans' Preference, which includes a copy of your DD-214 (member copy 4 or earlier version that shows character of service). Applicant's claiming 10-Point preference should also submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference along with the required documentation listed on the form (such as verification of service-connected disability percentage).

If you are basing your qualifications on education (or a combination of education and experience) or if the position requires a college education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

6. In conjunction with accepting a tentative offer, selected candidates must submit a written statement to the HR Office point of contact specifying their vaccination status within two business days of receiving a tentative offer. Using one of the applicable statements below please identify your COVID Vaccination status.

A. I am fully vaccinated and must provide proof if selected for this position. I understand if I select this answer and fail to provide proof of vaccination when requested and at New Employee Orientation, I may not receive a final offer or be appointed.

B. I am not vaccinated but intend to receive the vaccine or have received my first dose and am scheduled for my second dose. I can provide proof of my status or of future appointment(s).

C. I would like to request a legal exception (i.e., medical or religious). Since exceptions must be adjudicated favorably before HR Office staff can issue a final offer for some positions, I may receive a final offer while my request for medical or religious exception is being adjudicated or after a final decision depending on the type of position I apply for.

Thank you for your interest in a Dental Hygienist position with the VA. Please provide an answer to each question. Answering "no" or failing to respond to any of the below questions may result in an ineligible rating.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

1. English Language Proficiency. Dental Hygienists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C 7402(d). Are you proficient in spoken and written English?

A. Yes

B. No

2. Education. Do you possess an Associates Degree or higher in an accredited dental hygiene program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)?

A. Yes

B. No

3. Licensure. Are you 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.

A. Yes

B. No

4. 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. Do you meet the certification requirements?

A. Yes

B. No

Please select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your background and experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation.

Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).

5. GS-9 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, do you possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-08 level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level? In addition can you demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
* Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities for safe patient care.
* Ability to assess the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health, recognize age-related changes in individual patients, adapt patient environment, and maximize patient's physical comfort.
* Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure.
* Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application.
* Knowledge of hygiene procedures in order to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each.
* Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films and
* Skill in educating patients and caregivers on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, and effects of illness, addictions, medications and tobacco on the oral cavity.

A. Yes

B. No

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