Dental Hygienist

About the Position: This is a Dental Hygienist position located at DENTAC, Fort Drum, New York.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation.

Salary negotiation is available for those new to federal employment.

Removal of all supragingival and subgingival calculus, plaque, and stains from teeth. | Conduct thorough examinations of each patient's teeth and oral tissues. | Review and consult with dentist on individual patient based on the Periodontal Screening and Plaque Index examination. | Ensure instruments are maintained in aseptic condition. | Administer local anesthetic via injection under the supervision of a staff dentist. | Coordinate with the Command Infection Control Officer to ensure dental hygiene procedures comply with applicable infection control directives. | Coordinate the delivery of Dental Health information to the staff to educate beneficiaries on dental health and dental services available from the Command for active-duty personnel and other eligible beneficiaries. | Develop and identify academic and clinical training needs of hygiene staff, providing or arranging for needed continuing education.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Dental Hygienist:

Licensure: Must be currently licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Radiology Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (1) 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 (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements:

(1) Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a Doctor of Medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others.

(2) Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided that such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes completing dental examinations, educating patients on oral health, and performing and interpreting x-rays. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation. | This position requires that you obtain and maintain a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS. | Incumbent must possess a valid state dental hygienist license. | This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination to ensure the required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position. | Lifting up to 15 pounds may be required. | Incumbent must be a graduate of a Dental Hygiene Program that meets or exceeds the standards described in 42 SFR Part 75. | Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements. | This position has mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire).