Civil service agencies fall under the state department, and hygienists are often employed at VA hospitals as civil service employees. Which statement best describes these statements?

Civil service agencies fall under the state department, and hygienists are often employed at VA hospitals as civil service employees. Which statement best describes these statements?

• A. Both statements are true
• B. First statement true; second false
• C. First false; second true
• D. Both statements false

Answer: (A)

Understanding how civil service works helps here. Civil service refers to jobs filled through a merit-based government personnel system, at either the state level or the federal level. The first statement can be true in many states. State governments organize their civil service through a central department (often called the Department of Civil Service or Department of Personnel) that sits within the state’s executive branch. In that sense, civil service agencies do fall under a state department, though the exact title and structure vary by state. So, depending on the jurisdiction, the idea that civil service agencies are within a state department is accurate. The second statement is true in the federal context. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a federal agency, and many of its positions, including dental hygienists working in VA hospitals, are filled through the federal civil service system. (There are some exceptions and alternative pay systems for certain healthcare roles, but the general pattern is that VA health positions are civil service.) So, in typical practice, both statements can be considered true.

Understanding how civil service works helps here. Civil service refers to jobs filled through a merit-based government personnel system, at either the state level or the federal level.

The first statement can be true in many states. State governments organize their civil service through a central department (often called the Department of Civil Service or Department of Personnel) that sits within the state’s executive branch. In that sense, civil service agencies do fall under a state department, though the exact title and structure vary by state. So, depending on the jurisdiction, the idea that civil service agencies are within a state department is accurate.

The second statement is true in the federal context. The Department of Veterans Affairs is a federal agency, and many of its positions, including dental hygienists working in VA hospitals, are filled through the federal civil service system. (There are some exceptions and alternative pay systems for certain healthcare roles, but the general pattern is that VA health positions are civil service.)

So, in typical practice, both statements can be considered true.