Veterans Health Administration Logo
Position Title
Dental Hygienist
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBSU-12701897-25-JL Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, February 25, 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. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you willing to accept the working conditions as indicated in the announcement? (limit characters)
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? (limit characters)
4. 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? (limit characters)
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). (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
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). (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
The following are related to qualifications for the position of Dental Hygienist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. (limit characters)
Basic Requirements. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
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?
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
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. (limit characters)
3. Do you currently possess the Radiologic Certification detailed above? (limit characters)
Grade Level Requirements: The following questions are related to your qualifications at the GS-9 level.

NOTE: Experience must be described in your resume.
(limit characters)
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.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. 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.
(limit characters)
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:
  1. Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications and expected treatment outcomes for each.
  2. Knowledge of proper usage of dental radiography equipment, radiation safety, assessment of proper image capture and interpretation of films.
  3. Knowledge to select appropriate available fluoride products and indications/limitations for safe and proper application.
  4. Skill in detecting plaque and calculus, dental abnormalities/pathologies, assessing inflammation and providing safe instrumentation for each procedure.
  5. 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.
  6. Ability to assess the patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications and comorbidities to administer safe patient care.
  7. 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.
(limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
5. Do you possess the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for the GS-9 listed above? (limit characters)