Dental Hygienist - Advanced Clinical

Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners in assigned areas. Higher-level duties consist of significant scope, complexity, and range of variety, and will be performed most of the hygienist's time. Serves as coordinator of the Dental Hygiene Student Program and provides hands-on clinical instruction to dental hygiene or dental assisting students during their clinic rotations, including all training required by the Sheridan College Dental Hygiene Program.

Performs comprehensive medical assessments and appropriate adaptation techniques to provide safe and effective periodontal care in severely compromised patients. Dental screenings independently outside of the dental clinic at inpatient residential areas and adapt treatment based on findings of medically/mentally/physically compromised patients. Uses more advanced adjunctive, diagnostic tools and techniques for monitoring clinical disease processes. Designs customized adaptive aids based on assessment of patients' abilities and disabilities. Manages advanced medical and behavioral risk factors for medically/mentally/physically compromised patients including indication of administration of adjunctive therapies Serves as member of relevant hospital committees and patient wellness programs. Provides oral/written tobacco cessation education and works with our tobacco cessation coordinator. Provides oral/written training protocols for the dental hygiene students. Provides oral health presentations to nursing staff, diabetic educators, and other disciplines. Sets up operatory for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Handles instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Assesses clinical findings, including normal and critical lab results, and adapt care based on findings. Interviews patient and 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's environment, and maximizes patient's physical comfort. Provides routine oral prophylaxis, gross debridement, soft tissue curettage, and deep scaling and root planning procedures to patients with complex periodontal/restorative conditions and complex medical/psychiatric issues. Utilizes advanced adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment (e.g. sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers). Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Performs advanced adjunctive treatment such as dietary analysis for caries risk and nutritional counseling to control and prevent caries, and applies appropriate fluoride solutions. Manages dental recall system, referring patients to the doctor for additional care when needed - Applies desensitizing and sealant materials. Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays. Administers topical anesthetic agents. Administers local anesthetic. Administers local anti-microbial agents per direction of dentist. Develops a plan for management of xerostomia especially in patients receiving chemotherapy and/or head and neck radiation. Works in collaboration with VA or Non-VA periodontists on periodontal cases. Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Provides patient education appropriate to the veteran's needs and oral condition. Develops, prepares, and provides both individual and group oral health care instruction to inpatients, outpatients, and caregivers. Presents oral health education classes for patients in collaboration with other disciplines such as: Diabetes Education program with nutrition clinic, primary care, optometry, etc. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Recognizes common pathologies and utilizes advanced radiographic technique and equipment to detect abnormalities. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory. Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization per VA Dental Infection Control Standard Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images. Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Assists in filling gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records. Maintains patient confidentiality of written and verbal information, per HIPAA. Provides oversight and coordination of the Dental Hygiene Student Rotation in collaboration with the program director, Sheridan College Dental Hygiene Program director and faculty, and dental hygiene students. Provides hands-on clinical instruction to dental hygiene or dental assisting students during their clinic rotations, including all training required by the Sheridan College Dental Hygiene Program (e.g. grading calibration, required documentation, reporting processes, etc.) Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday; 7:00 am - 4:30 pm; every other Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 577410 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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.