Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a Dental Nurse to join our Oral Surgery Outpatient Department on a full time 37.5 hours per week basis.

We are a patient focused service and a dedicated team that offer a variety of treatments and procedures among which are: caring for patients with Head and Neck and skin Cancer: Orthodontic, Restorative, Oral surgery clinics and nurse led clinics as well as minor operative procedures.

The candidate will be required to take on board new skills and knowledge, and have a sensitive approach towards, patients, staff, visitors and colleagues. You will be expected to use your own initiative and work alongside the existing team members, including our medical team.

Radiology, Orthodontic experience and impression and photo taking is desirable.

Main duties of the job
Department hours are 8am-5.30pm 7 day service.

General duties will include:

• Chaperoning patients during clinic consultations and treatments.
• Preparing theatre for Minor Operation sessions and assisting in the same.
• Assisting the Orthodontist and Orthodontic Therapist.
• Preparing clinic rooms and house-keeping duties
• Acting as a co-ordinator on the arrival of patients to the department
• Liaising with other wards and departments, as required

We require a motivated, enthusiastic person who will be sensitive and caring

Have good numeracy, literacy and IT skills

Reliable.

Able to work on own initiative, as well as in a team

Willing to work flexible hours and to work across sites, as the service dictates.

About us
We are committed to delivering the best possible healthcare services to the local population while ensuring the future viability of our services. This will be achieved by continually improving the productivity and efficiency of services. Our core focus has enabled demonstrable improvement in our key access, quality and performance indicators.

Our objectives and values

At ELHT our objectives are to:

• Put safety and quality at the heart of everything we do
• Invest in and develop our workforce
• Work with key stakeholders to develop effective partnerships
• Encourage innovation and pathway reform, and deliver best practice

Our values are:

• Put patients first
• Respect the individual
• Act with integrity
• Serve the community
• Promote positive change

Job responsibilities
Main Duties

• Preparation of equipment and assisting in Orthodontic, restorative and oral surgery clinics.
• Clinic preparation prepare notes,lab work,devices etc as needed.
• Ability to work four handed with the Orthodontist and with the Restorative Clinicians. That is to pre-empt what instrumentation will be required by the consultant and to have the instrument ready to pass. ( manual dexterity and co-ordination)
• Clearing away instruments, preparation of instruments for re-use and preparation of the surgery for the next patient, using correct infection prevention controls/procedures.
• Good care and preparation of instruments, ensuring instrumentation is in good working order and reporting to sister if repair or sharpening is required.
• Preparation and mixing of restorative materials, also impression materials.
• To work within the department providing the necessary professional and technical support and assistance required for all aspects of dental care.
• Preparation of minor operation theatre and assist in dental and skin minor operation sessions including taking patient observations, such as blood pressure and blood sugar or INR( international normalised ratio or blood clotting) if required and trained to do so.
• Taking telephone enquiries giving advice or directions within scope of practice.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
• Taking, processing and monitoring of X-ray films, initially under supervision until appropriate training has been undertaken
• Carry out dental photography and impressions on Orthodontic patients following successful in house training.
• Give information for pre and post-operative care to patients and carers, including verbal and written instructions. I.e. leaflets.
• Give information and instructions to patients undergoing orthodontic treatment on how to care for their appliances on a one to one basis.
• Give information and instructions to patients undergoing restorative treatment on how to care for their dental work on a one to one basis. This includes implants, bridges and crowns as directed by the consultant.
• Provide reassurance and support to patients and carers/relatives.
• Give information to patients about dental health on a one to one basis
• Provide information to enable the effectiveness of care to be evaluated and records maintained
• Maintain confidentiality at all times. Act in a professional manner to ensure that effective communication with patients and/or carers is maintained at all times regarding all aspects of their care
• Liaise closely with medical and nursing staff, and associated departments, to ensure that clinics are conducted effectively and efficiently.
• Carry out post-consultation duties, such as making follow up appointments and liaising with the dental laboratory.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• National Examination Board for dental Nurses Diploma or NVQ level 3 equivalent
• Literate and numerate with basic skills in information technology.

Desirable

• Post qualification certificate in: Radiology, Orthodontics, Conscious sedation

Work Skills and Experience
Essential

• Knowledge of Oral Surgery
• Ability to use own initiative and manage own work load.
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting.
• Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding including children.
• Able to present written information in a logical manner.
• Basic IT skills in word processing.

Desirable

• Understanding team work
• Calm under pressure.
• Knowledge and experience of Orthodontics

Circumstances
Essential

• Flexibility in terms of work patterns
• Must be willing to work across trust sites.

Desirable

• Willing to take on further training to benefit the department

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).