Oral Health Improvement Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Oral Health Improvement Practitioner

Contract: Maternity cover 12 months Fixed term contract

Responsible to: Oral Health Improvement Manager Oxfordshire

Accountable to: Assistant Director of Oral Health

Job Purpose: As a member of the oral health improvement team, the post holder will work with general population groups and targeted higher risk groups across Oxfordshire (other locations may vary across East of England) promoting and delivering a high standard oral health promotion in line with local and national oral health strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Communication and Relationship Skills:

· The post holder will participate effectively in inter-agency partnership working to achieve desired change in population health, for example, health care workers, health promotion specialist, community dieticians, health visitors, school nurses, local authority employees, education and voluntary groups

· Contribute to the provision of general oral health information for health professionals and the local population through the provision of verbal advice, printed materials and other appropriate educational resources

· Act as point of contact and source of knowledge and skills for both internal and external enquiries to CDS

Key Relationships:

· CDS employees, both clinical and non-clinical

· External agencies, including local authorities and voluntary groups

Analytical:

· The post holder will assist in the development, delivery and evaluation of programmes with EYFS professionals, Teachers, carers of adults and or children, Health Care professionals etc.

Planning and Organisation:

· The post holder will assist in the development, delivery and evaluation of programmes to teachers, carers and health care professionals, for example, school nurses and health visitors

· Organise, deliver and evaluate oral health programmes to community groups in Oxfordshire and the East of England upon request

· Carry out duties related to oral health improvement and any other duties which are necessary for the smooth running of the department – minutes at meetings, creating short, animated videos, creating training presentations etc.

Physical Skills:

· Standard keyboard skills developed through experience, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint

· Able to travel across Oxfordshire several times a week (Other locations may vary

e.g. local team meetings in Oxon, visiting HO in Bedfordshire, whole team meetings in

Cambridge etc.)

· Remote working / Working from home at all other times

Patient and Client Care:

· Deliver training packages to community groups e.g. employees working in residential homes

· Assist in the development and delivery of oral health programmes to support key performance indicators e.g. tooth brushing programmes

· Participate, when required, in oral health promotion activities which fall outside normal working hours, including weekends

Policy and Service:

· Understand the factors affecting oral and general health improvement, which will enhance service delivery and so contribute to policy

· Follow and implement all CDS policies and procedures particularly local Safeguarding procedures.

Financial and Physical Resources:

· Maintain accurate records for the sale of toothbrushes and other oral health resources (if relevant).

· Responsible for oral health resources and follow department guidelines when delivering oral health services, e.g. laptop, projector

Human Resources:

· Contribute to oral health training covering issues including smoking cessation, benefits of breast feeding, nutrition, oral health. This training is to be given to individuals, groups and professionals with local authority employees, voluntary groups, families and health professionals e.g. health visitors, family workers

· Provide advice or demonstrate own activities to new employees

Information Resources:

· Produce and maintain accurate records of oral health promotion delivered as required by CDS and for use in the preparation of reports

Research and Development:

· Participate in CDS clinical governance programmes and other quality initiatives, undertaking training as required

Freedom to Act:

· The post holder will work on their own initiative, seeking advice of their manager when necessary

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good general education, 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, NVQ3 or equivalent.
• Oral Health Education Certificate or equivalent health related qualification.

Desirable

• Dental qualification.
• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector (PTLLS certificate).

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of a range of work procedures acquired through training and experience.
• An understanding of the factors affecting oral health and the scope of oral health improvement programmes in improving oral health.
• Proficient in delivering train the trainer techniques.
• Ability to participate in oral health improvement.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Time management skills.
• Competent keyboard skills, experienced in Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to use social media to promote key messages. Familiar with or ability to learn how to create content for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Canva, Powtoon etc.

Desirable

• Experience in carrying out oral health/health improvement activities.
• Experience of working with vulnerable people and/or carers.

Analytical Skills

Essential

• Assess and analyse use of resources against requirements.

Working conditions

Essential

• Ability to travel across Oxfordshire to deliver training (other locations may vary).
• Ability to travel to different locations for team meetings/training.
• Clean driving licence and access to own transport.

Communication Skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate with health and other professionals advising on effective methods and resources for oral health promotion, employing persuasive skills to encourage more effective working.
• Competent and effective written communication positive and enthusiastic mind-set, flexible approach.

Diversity

Essential

• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to equal opportunities, equity and the promotion of cultural competency.

Mental Effort

Essential

• Frequent concentration required when responding to enquiries or delivering training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Community Dental Services CIC

Address

Home working

Oxfordshire

OX25 5HD

Employer's website

https://communitydentalservices.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)