Dental Hygienist

Summary

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The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System seeks a Dental Hygienist to provide direct patient care, perform clinical and clerical tasks, and plan preventive oral health programs. The role includes developing instructional methods and evaluating preventive dentistry program effectiveness under a dentist's general direction.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026 or until all positions are filled.

This job is open to

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### The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

### Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2\-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

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Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Customer Service:

• Demonstrate courtesy, respect, and maintain a positive attitude towards patients, co\-workers, management, and the public.
• Assist customers with their questions or concerns and provide service recovery as needed.

Patient Care:

• Prepare the operatory for planned dental procedures and ensure timely turnover of the dental unit.
• Handle dental instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Provide routine oral care, including fluoride treatment and gross debridement, scaling, and root planning.
• Clean dental prostheses (both fixed and removable) and manage the dental recall system in consultation with the doctor for additional care.
• Administer topical anesthetic agents and perform all procedures in accordance with standard infection\-control protocols.

Patient Education:

• Offer patient education tailored to the Veteran's needs and oral condition.
• Conduct individual and group oral health care instruction sessions for patients and caregivers.

Dental Imaging:

• Take high\-quality radiographic images with accurate orientation and proper exposure, with minimal need for retakes as directed by the dentist.
• Follow dental\-imaging safety protocols.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization:

• Demonstrate proper infection\-control procedures when setting up and cleaning the operatory.
• Prepare instruments for sterilization following SPS standards, ensuring no delays in clinical care.
• Follow proper infection\-control procedures during image exposure.

Clerical Functions:

• Assist patients in scheduling their appointments and fill gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations or failed appointments.
• Chart findings and treatment provided in patient records.

Information Management:

• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
• Follow computer security regulations.

Patient Safety:

• Adjust care appropriately based on patient's age and abilities, including patient transfer and positioning.
• Provide clear and accurate instructions to patients.
• Participate in patient identification and time\-out procedures per TJC requirements.
• Monitor patient condition during treatment and be alert for signs of physical distress.

Employee Education:

• Comply with Employee Education requirements and complete mandatory annual training sessions.
• Meet all CE requirements for licensing.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned, depending on the grade level selected for.

Work Schedule: Monday \- Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement \#: 635\-54404A, 635\-54405A, 635\-54406A, 635\-54407A, 635\-54408A

Requirements

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### 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

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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

• Be a Citizen of the United States. Non\-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with \[38 U.S.C § 7407(a), Administrative Provisions for Section 7405 and 7406 Appointments.

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:

+ 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/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 meeting the requirement for certification as dental radiographers.

* Exceptions for Non\-Certified Dental Hygienist

+ 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).

English Language Proficiency

• Dental hygienist candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS \- In addition to the basic requirements outlined, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Dental Hygienist, GS\-05

* Experience

+ None beyond the basic requirements.

Dental Hygienist, GS\-06

* Experience

+ At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level.

* Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

Dental Hygienist, GS\-07

* Experience

+ At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

* Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ 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.

Dental Hygienist, GS\-08

* Experience

+ At least one year of experience at the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

* Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Knowledge of state\-of\-the\-art preventive 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.

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.

* Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Knowledge of hygiene procedures to explain the process and indication, complications, and expected treatment outcomes for each.

+ Knowledge of the 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 the 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.

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\.

Physical Requirements: Light carrying under 15 pounds and reaching above the shoulder. Both hands are necessary for the role, as well as the ability to walk or stand for 8\-10 hours and perform repeated bending. Both legs are required, and the position demands specific visual requirements for discerning small details. The candidate must have the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, with both eyes required for accurate depth perception and color distinction. Additionally, good hearing ability is essential for this role.

### 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/.

### 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

========

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full\-time, part\-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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.

Area of Consideration \- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred based on Veterans' Preference.

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• License
• Clinical applicant full resume/CV
• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp\-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one\-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two\-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

Your resume/CV must include the following information for each job listed (a determination may not be able to be made if these items are missing):

• Job title and Duties
• Month \& year, start/end dated (e.g. June 2020 to April 2021\)
• Full\-time or part\-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Series and Grade, if applicable

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
• Clinical applicant full resume/CV
• Certification of Radiologic Competence
• Resume
• SF\-15
• SF\-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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.

### If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

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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 09/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12920391\.

• 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.

### Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center

Phone

719\-227\-4600

Email

V19USAJOBS@VA.GOV

Address

VA Oklahoma City Health Care System

921 Northeast 13th Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73104

US### Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community\-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA\-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full\- and part\-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home\-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Overview

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Accepting applications

Open \& closing dates

03/24/2026 to 09/30/2026

Salary

$59,600 to \- $117,404 per year

Salary Admin Plan VS80, effective 1/11/2026

Pay scale \& grade

GS 5 \- 9

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Oklahoma City, OK

1 vacancy

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

25% or less \- You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full\-time \- Monday \- Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Service

Excepted

Promotion potential

9

Job family (Series)

• 0682 Dental Hygiene

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Not Required

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Non\-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

• Credentialing
• Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

CBSU\-12920391\-26\-AS

Control number

862399200