Travel Dental Hygienist
Columbia, South Carolina
Palmetto Health Richland

Job Opportunity: Dental Hygienist

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Employment Type: Travel/Contract
Contract Length: 13 weeks

Work Schedule

• 39 hours per week
• Monday to Friday
• Shift hours:

  • Monday to Thursday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• No weekends or major holiday shifts

Job Description

• Perform routine dental prophylaxis including removal of hard and soft deposits and stains, and polishing teeth surfaces
• Apply topical fluoride treatments
• Expose and develop dental radiographs
• Provide oral hygiene instruction, counseling, and nutrition/dietary advice
• Train dental hygiene students with minimal supervision
• Review medical and dental health histories
• Take and record blood pressure
• Chart dental disease using Epic Wisdom for documentation and charge entry
• Schedule and confirm patient appointments

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene
• Dental Hygienist license or certification (as applicable)
• Experience as a Dental Hygienist within the last year; 0 years of experience acceptable

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License required for computer access and must be carried on duty
• Background check covering 7 years of history, including alias and multi-state/county searches, must be current within 12 months
• E-Verify or attestation required
• Various federal and state sanction checks (EPLS/GSA/SAM, HHS/OIG) required within 30 days of start and every 30 days thereafter
• Physical exam within 1 year verifying ability to meet job demands
• Drug screening within 1 year, updated annually (5-panel minimum)
• Immunizations and health screenings:

  • Negative TB test or chest X-ray within 90 days of start
  • Tetanus/Diphtheria/Tdap vaccine within 10 years (if working in high-risk areas)
  • Flu vaccine or approved exemption required annually (not required for remote workers)
  • Documentation or proof of immunity/vaccination for Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis B
• Respirator fit test completed onsite during orientation (not required for remote workers)
• Badge photo meeting specific guidelines required prior to start

Orientation and Training

• Completion of online orientation modules within 72 hours of assignment
• Pre-assignment testing (medication and competency exams) must be completed within 72 hours of receiving login information; two attempts allowed
• Annual core competencies and training including OSHA, patient safety, and ethical care required
• HIPAA and OSHA training acknowledgment required

Additional Notes

• Locals within 25 miles are allowed to apply
• Facility is latex-free; latex allergies are acceptable
• Use of Epic Wisdom electronic health record system for charting and billing
• No prior travel experience explicitly required

This position offers a structured weekday schedule with no weekend or holiday shifts, ideal for dental hygienists seeking a travel contract in South Carolina with opportunities to work in a hospital-based dental setting.