- Position Title
- Dental Hygienist
- Agency
- Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSU-12701896-25-JL Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, February 24, 2025 to Friday, May 30, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Are you currently employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
2.
Are you an employee of the facility indicated for this position?
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
This includes: Career/Career Conditional or Excepted Service (i.e. Canteen, Hybrid, Title 38, etc. and meets interchange agreement requirements). This does not include temporary, term or temporary intermittent.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). Your SF-50 must include enough information to be able to determine that time-in-grade requirements have been met (if applicable) and include your position title, pay plan/series/grade, tenure and the type of appointment (i.e. Competitive or Excepted). Please be aware that award SF-50's do not always include this pertinent information.
3.
Are you a current permanent Federal employee from an agency other than Department of Veterans Affairs?
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form.
4.
Are you willing to accept the working conditions as indicated in the announcement?
5.
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?
6.
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?
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.
Preferences
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.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
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.
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.
I authorize my application information being shared with hiring managers for similar positions. I understand this option may not result in further consideration for additional positions nor will it impact my application for this announcement.
Assessment 1
The following are related to qualifications for the position of Dental Hygienist with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Basic Requirements.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
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 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.
Do you meet the Education requirement listed above?
(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 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.
Do you meet the Education requirement listed above?
Licensure/Certification.
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. P.L. 97-35, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981, requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel. To meet this requirement, 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 meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist.
(a) 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), Temporary Full-Time Appointments, Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years.
(b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level.
(c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
(d) Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
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. P.L. 97-35, Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act Of 1981, requires persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs for and the Credentialing of Radiologic Personnel. To meet this requirement, 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 meets the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.
Exceptions for Non-Certified Dental Hygienist.
(a) 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), Temporary Full-Time Appointments, Part-Time Appointments and Without-Compensation Appointments for a Period Not to Exceed Two Years.
(b) Non-certified individuals shall only provide care under the supervision of a certified dental hygienist at or above the full performance level.
(c) Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.
(d) Temporary appointments of non-certified dental hygienist may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
2.
Do you currently possess a full, current and unrestricted license in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
3.
Do you currently possess the Radiologic Certification detailed above?
Grade Level Requirements: The following questions are related to your qualifications at the GS-6 to GS-9 levels.
NOTE: Experience must be described in your resume.
NOTE: Experience must be described in your resume.
Dental Hygienist, GS-06
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level.
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
4.
Do you meet the grade determination requirements for the GS-6 listed above?
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
GS-6 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSAs):
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of oral prophylactic, therapeutic, and preventive procedures for periodontal diseases, or inflammation, or on 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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
5.
Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-6 listed above?
Dental Hygienist, GS-07
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
6.
Do you meet the grade determination requirements for the GS-7 listed above?
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
GS-7 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSAs):
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- 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.
- 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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
7.
Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-7 listed above?
Dental Hygienist, GS-08
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
8.
Do you meet the grade determination requirements for the GS-8 listed above?
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
GS-8 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSAs):
In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-07 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-07 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventive dentistry measures for patient instruction and training.
- Knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and interrelationship of the various anatomical structures appearing on the radiographic image and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the radiograph for diagnostic use; and to present for viewing.
- Knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and related regulations and guidelines pertaining to dental matters.
- Skill in providing individual and group oral health care instructions to inpatients, outpatients, Nursing Home Care Unit patients, etc.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
9.
Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-8 listed above?
Dental Hygienist, GS-09
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Experience. At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
10.
Do you meet the grade determination requirements for the GS-9 listed above?
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
NOTE: Experience must be listed on your resume and transcripts must be uploaded for any education requirements.
GS-9 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, (KSAs):
In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-08 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-08 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of hygiene procedures 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.
- Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application.
- Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure.
- 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.
- Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer 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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
11.
Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-9 listed above?