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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-03-1996 - VIII-D 1 Orange County Board of Commissioners Action Agenda Item Abstract Meeting Date: June 3, 1996 Action Agenda Subject: Classification Plan Amendment-Dental Hygienist Item Department: Personnel Public Hearing: _Yes X No Budget Amendment Required: _Yes X No Attachment(s): Information Contact: Dental Hygienist Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director Class Specification Extension 2550 Telephone Numbers: Hillsborough - 732-8181 Durham - 688-7331 Mebane - 227-2031 Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501 Purpose: To consider amending the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan to change the salary grade assignment for the class of Dental Hygienist from Salary Grade 62 to Salary Grade 64, to authorize a salary placement up to Step 41) ($26,560) for a candidate who meets the minimum qualification requirements for the position and to authorize a hiring range up to Step 8D ($32,284). Background: In response to continuing difficulty in recruiting and retaining a Dental Hygienist,the Health Department requested that Personnel complete a classification and pay review of the Dental Hygienist classification. The one County position in this class currently is vacant and the Health Department requested this review prior to beginning recruitment. As to the position's classification, Personnel's review identified that the position's duties have not changed since it was last studied in May 1991. It continues to have the combination of dental clinical and educational responsibilities previously recognized. However, Personnel's review indicates major change in salaries paid in the area labor market for comparable Dental Hygienist positions and that currently a significant disparity exists oetween the County salary rates and surveyed area employers. 2 The Dental Hygienist class currently is at salary grade 62 in the Classification and Pay Plan which has a salary range from a minimum of $20,811 to a maximum of$33,091. The salary range minimums for employers surveyed(State government, University at Chapel Hill, Durham County, Cumberland County, Guilford County, and Wake County) averaged about 14.5 percent higher. The salary range maximums averaged 9.4 percent higher. Based on this, it is recommended that the class of Dental Hygienist be assigned to salary grade 64 in the Classification and Pay Plan. This is approximately 10 percent higher than the current salary range. Beyond this,the market survey shows a practice of hiring at special entry rates which are established starting rates above the salary range minimum for employees who meet the minimum qualification requirements. (An employee with additional qualifications beyond the minimum could be hired at a commensurately higher salary.) The actual entry rates among the employers surveyed averaged $26,059. For an applicant who meets the minimum qualifications, State government and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provide special entry rates as follows: Class State UNC-CH Dental Hygienist I $25,220 $27,741 Dental Hygienist II $27,359 $30,095 The County's position is most comparable to Dental Hygienist II. Thus, in addition to the salary grade change, it is recommended that authorization be given to hire up to Step 4D of salary grade 64 which is $26,560 for a candidate who meets the minimum qualification requirements, as necessary to recruit for the position, and to authorize a hiring range up to Step 8D ($32,284) in this case rather than the Step 5D provided by policy. Funds are available within the current Health Department budget and no additional funds are requested. Recommendation: The Manager recommends the Board amend the Classification and Pay Plan by changing the salary grade for Dental Hygienist from grade 62 to grade 64, authorize a salary placement at a salary up to Step 4D ($26,560) for a candidate who meets the minimum qualifications requirements for the position and authorize a hiring range through Step 8D. i 3 C8035 - 7/91 DENTAL HYGIENIST GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK: Performs intermediate technical work providing dental services such as dental examinations, prophylaxis, the application of preventive procedures, and developing and conducting dental health education programs for Orange County; does related work as required. Work is performed under regular supervision. TYPICAL TASKS: Provides clinical oral hygiene procedures not requiring the expertise of a dentist, . such as dental examinations, prophylaxis, and the application of preventive procedures; Maintains patient recall system which includes recall examinations, taking and processing radiographs, oral prophylaxis and patient education; Develops and conducts dental health education programs for Orange County; Assists in the planning and operation of school dental health programs; Serves as a consultant in dental health for public health personnel, school personnel and civic groups; Evaluates, develops, and distributes dental health education materials; Plans and conducts instructional programs for school children; Records findings and maintains records on dental status and services rendered to school children and patients; Plans and conducts in-service training programs in dental health including assisting in the orientation and training of dental students; Performs related tasks as required. KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: General knowledge of the principles and practices of dental hygiene; knowledge of the methods and techniques in developing and disseminating dental health education information to the public; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local school administrators, classroom teachers, parents, students, fellow employees, etc. ; ability to speak effectively in carrying out a program in dental health education. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in dental hygiene; or graduation from an approved two-year program of dental hygiene and two years experience in dental hygiene or health education; or equivalent . SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Licensed to practice as a dental hygienist in North Carolina.