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Summary The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The Dental Hygienist position is located at the North West Health Care Center (NWHCC) 9939 State Hwy 151, San Antonio, TX 78251. The incumbent provides direct patient care and will receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients and require only general supervision from a dentist. Responsibilities This position is located at the North West San Antonio VA Clinic - 9939 State Highway 151, San Antonio, TX 78251-1900 Major duties include but are not limited to: patient medical assessment (ie. medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal charting and assessment), disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling, root planing, and curettage, radiograph/image acquisition & interpretation, patient education (ie. post-procedure, tobacco cessation, caries & perio disease prevention, behavior management), management of stable medically compromised patients - including risk factors, instrument sharpening and sterilization, inter-service communication - warm hand offs, aid in access to care by entering leave into VATAS, creating LEAFs for clinic closure/opening requests in a timely manner, customer assistance/service recovery, set up operatory and cleaning dental unit, perform full mouth probing, clean dental prosthesis - fixed and removable, patient referrals, desensitizing and sealant material application, fluoride carrier tray impressions, administration of topical anesthetic agents, scheduling appointments and filling scheduling gaps, administers anesthesia and/or nitrous oxide if licensed to do so. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54247-F, 54248-F, 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (6 hours), Repeated bending (2-4 hours), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement (Far Vision: 20/30), Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Emotional and Mental Stability, Sit for extended periods, Performs Independently, Cognitive Stability Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f). Education - 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: Dental hygiene programs accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). 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. Licensure - 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 - Public Law 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. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for licensure, may be given a temporary appointment, not to exceed two years, as a graduate dental hygienist pending certification (GS-5 level only). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision - All Dental Hygienists employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (07/23/2021) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/trademark/registration/certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Dental Hygienists grandfathered under this provision may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Dental Hygienists in this occupation that requires a licensure/certification only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Dental Hygienists who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Dental Hygienists who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Dental Hygienists initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-05 Dental Hygienist (Entry Level Developmental) - No additional requirements beyond the basic requirements. GS-06 Dental Hygienist - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-06 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. GS-07 Dental Hygienist - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. GS-08 Dental Hygienist - Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-08 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Knowledge of oral pathology to include disease of the hard and soft tissues, disorders of tooth structure, developmental and congenial 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventative 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. GS-09 Requirements continued in the Education section below. Education Grade Determinations Continued: GS-09 Dental Hygienist (Full Performance Level) - Experience Requirement In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-09 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08). Knowledge of state-of-the-art preventative 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, 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. Preferred Experience: 3-5 years Preferred Experience in dental hygiene Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standard dental procedures used in dental hygiene and periodontal care and procedures. Ability to assess complex patient medical/dental history, social history, vital signs, full periodontal assessment and charting. Ability to provide disease and treatment management recommendations, denture care, scaling and root planning. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats and know radiograph/image interpretation. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.