Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical)

Summary

These Dental Hygienist (Advanced Clinical) positions are located in the Dental Service of Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. The positions are physically located in New Orleans, Louisiana and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They provide direct patient care under the general supervision of a dentist, periodontist or other specialist, and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently.

Duties

Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Dental hygienists at this level are advanced-level practitioners who work closely with, and under the general direction of, a dentist, periodontist or other specialist. Duties include, but are not limited to: Customer Service/Veteran Centered Care: Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, coworkers, and the public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns. Provides service recovery. Delivers care that reflects the Veteran's and the family's personal goals, personal preferences, and freedom of choice. Demonstrates knowledge and application of patient and family centered care in written care plans, instructions to patients, and in observation of the actual care provided. Demonstrates collaborative orientation to working with patients and families. Patient Care and Safety: 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 adapts care based on finding. Assesses patient's medical, dental, anxiety/phobias, medications, and comorbidities and modifies care accordingly. Assesses the impact of patient's medical and dental condition on maintaining oral health. Recognizes age-related changes in individual patients, and adapts patient environment to maximize patient's physical comfort. Applies appropriate topical fluoride solutions or varnishes. Indicates use for and utilizes adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic equipment safely (e.g., sonic, magnetostrictive ultrasonic, and piezo ultrasonic scalers). Provides routine oral prophylaxis, gross debridement, soft tissue curettage, deep scaling and root planning procedures to patients with complex periodontal/restorative conditions and complex medical/psychiatric issues. Cleans dental prostheses, fixed and removable. Makes impressions for fluoride carrier trays. Administers topical and local anesthetic agents. Administers intrasulcular anti-infective agents and sulcular lavage per direction of dentist/periodontist. Applies and removes periodontal dressings per direction of dentist. Accomplishes all procedures within standard infection control protocols. Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients during procedures. Participates in patient identification and time out per TIC requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Patient Education: Provides patient education appropriate to the Veteran's needs and oral condition. Explains hygiene procedures, indications, complications and expected outcomes to individual patient and caregiver. Prepares and provides education on periodontal disease, wellness, health maintenance, oral hygiene practices, parafunctional habits, and effect of illness, addictions, medications, and tobacco on the oral cavity. Dental Imaging: Takes diagnostic quality images that are accurately oriented and exposed. Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques with minimal retakes. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of oral and dental anatomy including root anatomy, common pathologies and anomalies, and indications for advanced radiographic imaging and proper technique to detect potential abnormalities. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization: Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatory to ensure instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards. Prepares instruments in a manner that does not delay clinical care. Clerical Functions: Assists patients in scheduling appointments. Fills gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Charts findings, treatment plans, and treatment provided in patient records. Information Management: Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations. Employee Education: Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions. Work Schedule: Typically, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.. Schedule subject to change based on facility needs. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 629-00554F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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 and evaluation

Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1st Area of Consideration - current permanent Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System employees, including satellites; 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; 4th Area of Consideration - all other applicants based on Veterans' Preference. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Education

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/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/15/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13077866. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Professional Certification Transcript Resume Requirement: Your resume must include the following information: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, and average hours worked per week. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee In addition to your most recent SF-50, other examples of SF-50's to include in your application packet include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.