Dental Hygienist

What you would do

• Complete preliminary dental exams on new dental service patients.
• Examine teeth and gums for plaque and periodontal (gum) disease, and chart findings.
• Provide postoperative care and oral hygiene instruction.
• Explain the causes of gum disease and tooth decay to patients.
• Inspect the mouth and throat for signs of disease, such as oral cancer.
• Perform advanced and specialized preventive dental hygiene procedures.

Do you qualify for GS-7?

With experience: You need one year of specialized experience. This includes advanced preventive dental procedures on patients, completing oral exams, and taking and reading routine x-rays to find problems such as cavities and deep gum pockets. The announcement says this experience is typical of the next lower grade, GS-6.

With education: Education cannot replace experience at this grade.

Licenses and certifications you need:

• Current license to practice as a dental hygienist in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross
• Radiology certification as a radiographer, meeting the standards in 42 CFR Part 75

How to apply well

What to send:

• Resume, two pages or less, with employer, job title, start and end months and years, and hours worked per week for each job
• Copy of your dental hygiene license and any required certifications; without it you are rated ineligible
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Selective Service registration statement if you are male and born after December 31, 1959
• Most recent performance appraisal, if applicable
• Documents for veterans' preference, if you claim it
• Optional cover letter

How you will be rated: Your application is reviewed against the listed qualifications, using your resume, supporting documents, and questionnaire answers. If your resume or documents show you inflated your qualifications, or if required information is missing, you can lose consideration.

Tips for this job:

• Attach a copy of your dental hygiene license and BLS and radiology certifications, or your application may be rated ineligible.
• Keep your resume to two pages or less, and list hours worked per week for each job.
• Only experience counts for this job, so describe your x-ray, exam, and preventive procedure work in detail.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time. Mission Essential: you must report to work or remain at work during severe weather or emergencies.

Incentives and relocation: A recruitment incentive may be authorized. Salary negotiation may be available for new federal employees. A cost of living allowance for Hawaii of 8.64% is currently authorized, subject to change.

Conditions of employment:

• Background investigation and suitability or fitness determination
• Personnel Security Investigation
• Pre-employment and random drug testing
• Pre-placement medical exam
• Immunization screening; Hepatitis B shot required for patient contact
• Must obtain and keep clinical privileges and meet credentialing requirements
• Wear a uniform, scrubs, or medical attire while on duty
• Sign consent for seasonal flu vaccination, or provide a recognized exemption
• Lift moderate to heavy loads up to 40 pounds
• Mission Essential: must report to work or stay at work during severe weather or emergencies
• One-year probationary period
• Direct deposit of pay required
• Selective Service registration for men born after December 31, 1959

Job details

Salary

$77,957 – $101,347 per year

Pay scale and grade

GS-7 · General Schedule

Location

Hickam AFB, Hawaii

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Openings

1

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Not required

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Dental Hygiene (0682)

Announcement

HSJG-27-13102226-DHA