Working

Glenda B. Arrington, RDH, MS

Glenda Arrington knew early on that she wanted a career in dental health." As a child, I was intrigued by going to the dentist," says Glenda B. Arrington, RDH, MS. "I was fascinated with the equipment, the chair--even the sound of the ultrasonic cleaner! I always said that when I grew up, I wanted to be a dentist or dental hygienist. I knew when I finished high school, my course of study in college would be in the dental field."

After receiving a bachelor of science and a master of science degree in dental hygiene from Old Dominion University in Virginia, Arrington worked as a dental hygienist for 15 years. She spent 10 years in private practice and five years working for the military, taking care of active duty and retired service members. "I was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, home of the world's largest naval base. A majority of the people you meet are affiliated with the military. While I am not military, I wanted to serve the military in this area."

Arrington has taken her background in oral health in exciting new directions. While working as a dental hygienist for the military, she was offered the position of department head of Health Data Management. This position involved managing health data from military hospitals around the world. Arrington also worked with the Department of Health Care Delivery Systems to analyze financial data for military hospitals. This led to a position as a command evaluator investigating hotline complaints and conducting command reviews related to medical and dental issues.

In her current position as department head for Command Evaluation, Arrington inspects, investigates, and/or inquires into Department of the Navy issues concerning waste, fraud, and mismanagement of government resources at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. She investigates allegations that violate a rule, regulation, or law, when the complainant believes a hotline is the only recourse available. She also oversees and conducts the Command Evaluation and Inspector General program for local hotline complaints involving the medical center.

"There is never the same hotline complaint or issue. The challenge is to ensure that your inquiries are thorough and accurate. You have to be well-versed and current on the policies and regulations. You have to quickly become familiar with each particular case by researching and developing techniques to understand whether management has implemented internal procedures to prevent or reduce waste, fraud, and mismanagement. You also have to be tactful, impartial, and objective. At times it can be stressful." Examples of types of cases she investigates include usage of government travel cards, time and attendance procedures, government purchase cards, and verification of eligibility for medical care.

In most cases, through the Command Hotline Program, Arrington is the person to whom concerns can be brought--either directly or anonymously--so that resolution can be achieved without reprisal to the whistle-blower. Addressing issues that might otherwise be left unresolved provides her with a great deal of satisfaction.

Arrington's staff includes one employee whose primary responsibility is to investigate hotline complaints; the others conduct reviews as approved by Commander, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Though her job involves some travel, it is typically within a 100-mile radius. As part of her job, she is required to undergo certification training every three years.

Arrington says she enjoys advising the command on improving business practices. "I also find it interesting to learn about what others do throughout the hospital. Most jobs only allow you to learn a portion of what goes on in the company or government facility. Working in Command Evaluation allows me to meet people and learn the various functions and positions throughout the hospital. This variety keeps the job both challenging and rewarding. Every project is different. It never gets boring. The ultimate reward is being able to make a positive contribution to the mission and operation of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth."

Her oral health care background gives Arrington the skills she needs for the type of hotline and command reviews she now conducts. "The work is very detail oriented. My college coursework has given me an edge in conducting medical and dental investigations. I have found that my dental hygiene background makes the learning curve less steep."

Still a licensed dental hygienist, Glenda Arrington enjoys participating in dental health clinics within her community in her free time.

More information about the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, is available at www-nmcp.mar.med.navy.mil/.

This edition of Working was prepared by Julie Edwards