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HSC VALUES

The below diagram details the values and associated behaviours that we expect staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) to display at all times.

Job Title: Senior Dental Officer
Department: Community Dental Service
Base/Location: All posts are appointed to the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. The base for this post is John Mitchell Place, Newry; however, the post holder will be required to work on any site within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.
Professional Accountability: Ms Sarah Foy – Clinical Director (Community Dental Service)
Operational Accountability: Mr Colm McCafferty – Director of Children, Young People and Women Services
Duration: Permanent

Job Summary
To take responsibility for the development and delivery of dental services for specific groups including those with a range of special needs. The post holder will have knowledge and expertise in the clinical management and preventative care of special needs patients.

The post holder will have line management responsibility for dental teams in Portadown and Brownlow clinics and for the delivery of services for both adult and paediatric patients in these and other centres such as General Anaesthetic (GA) lists in hospital. Managerial responsibilities will be agreed prior to commencement.

Key Duties / Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Clinical Director and Senior Dental Officers the post holder will plan, co-ordinate and provide clinical dental services including screening, treatment (including treatment under general anaesthesia) and oral health education/promotion for people with a range of special needs, in accordance with current professional standards and the regional Service Level Agreement.
• Liaise with others to assess the dental needs of these groups and plan for the provision of appropriate dental services.
• Establish standards and protocols for the provision of dental services for people with special needs which are reviewed and evaluated regularly.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of dental services provided for these clients in order to meet professional standards.
• Work closely with the Clinical Director on Risk Management and Clinical Governance for the Area Community Dental Service.
• Deputise for the Clinical Director during periods of absence.
• Accept referrals of cases for treatment and advice from community dental officers, general practitioners, hospital consultants and others following established protocols for referrals.
• Maintain and update knowledge on policies and procedures as well as current best clinical practice and other matters pertaining to his/her work situation.
• Contribute to the continuing professional development of the community dental team by carrying out appraisal for the maintenance of standards and assist in identifying training needs and organizing appropriate courses/attachments for all grades of staff.
• Plan and co-ordinate training programmes in conjunction with oral health promotion teams, dental nurses and others as appropriate, for carers, nursing staff, other health and social care professionals, outside agencies and community groups on the dental health care of people with special needs.
• Advise and where appropriate, assist community dental officers to provide specialist treatment for people with special needs.
• Manage and direct members of the dental team by delegating appropriate responsibility within his/her control whilst retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.
• Supervise and assist trainees and students on placement within the Trust.
• Plan, co-ordinate and provide domiciliary care.
• Plan, co-ordinate and participate in epidemiological surveys on people with special care needs, older people and for the general population as opportunities arise.
• Plan and undertake research with partners as appropriate.
• Liaise with general dental practitioners and hospital consultants, including anaesthetists on matters affecting the provision of dental services.
• Participate in the preparation of business plans, reports etc. for the further development of dental services or other projects as designated by the Trust.
• Actively promote oral health as an integral and important part of general health promotion efforts.
• Work with social services, nursing teams and other services to ensure that dental care is included as part of the care management process.
• Ensure smooth running of the clinic and the health and safety of those who use it and notify Line Manager as soon as possible of any accidents/incidents which occur within the workplace.
• Maintain staff relationships and morale within teams.
• Plan and participate in clinical audit exercises.
• Maintain records and submit statistical returns.
• Use initiative to adapt, make/recommend changes required in order to meet the varying needs of the service.

Working Relationships

• To be directly responsible and accountable to the Clinical Director of Community Dental Services for the provision of an effective and efficient Dental Department.
• To closely liaise with managers, admin and clerical staff, dental nurses, dentists and others in order to effectively discharge the stated duties of the post.

Human Resource Management Responsibilities

• Review individually, at least annually, the performance of immediately subordinate staff, provides guidance on personal development requirements and advises on and initiates, where appropriate, further training.
• Maintain staff relationships and morale amongst the staff reporting to him/her.
• Review the organisation plan and establishment level of the service for which he/she is responsible to ensure that each is consistent with achieving objectives, and recommend change where appropriate.
• Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.
• Participate, as required, in the selection and appointment of staff reporting to him/her in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.
• Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary matters in accordance with procedures laid down by the Trust.

Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Responsibilities

• To work proactively with the Trust’s Emergency planner and other internal and external stakeholders to develop appropriate emergency response and business continuity plans to ensure the service can maintain a state of emergency preparedness to respond safely and effectively to a range of threats, hazards and disruption.

Raising Concerns – Responsibilities

• The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.
• The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

General Requirements
The post holder will be required to:

• Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.
• Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.
• Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.
• Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example: Smoke Free policy; IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct; standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour.
• Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.
• Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.
• Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible, including recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use, helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.
• All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business, including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Organisation’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.
• Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.
• Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

Essential Criteria

• Full registration with the GDC (or be eligible for registration prior to commencing).
• Hold a professional dental qualification.
• Have 4 years relevant post-qualification clinical experience providing care for patients with special care needs.
• Hold a full current driving licence valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment (this criterion will be waived in the case of a suitable applicant who has a disability which prohibits them from driving but who is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements to meet the requirements of the post in full).
• Experience of providing treatment to patients under general anaesthetic.
• Knowledge of the Community Dental Service and current issues in dentistry and the National Health Service.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of providing comprehensive care to patients under general anaesthetic.
• Experience as a radiation protection supervisor.
• Hold a relevant post graduate qualification.

Notes to applicants: You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria using the information provided on your application form. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn. As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed. The Organisation is an equal opportunities employer.

Successful applicants

• May be required to attend for a Health Assessment.
• Can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant and equivalent to the post.
• Are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment, including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken.