Trainee Dental Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Trainee Dental Nurse

Managed by: Senior Dental Nurse

Accountable to: Workforce Development Lead

Key Relationships: Dental Department Colleagues, Course Training Provider, Work based witness/ Mentor/Assessor

Job Summary: To work towards the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing as agreed between you, your line manager and the named training provider.

To provide dental nurse support and to assist in the full range of dental care provided to patients of the Dental Service. To support the dental team in the provision of dental care in various settings across Luton. These may include; dental departments within Health Centres, hospitals, residential homes, domiciliary visits and mobile units. This will include a wide range of treatments for a broad patient base which includes children, special needs, phobics and the elderly.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical:

· Assist the dental operator in organising the day’s activities.

· Monitor day lists and appointment diary and update as necessary.

· Prepare the surgery for use at the beginning of the session and clear up at the end of the session consistent with Health and Safety protocol.

· Anticipate the dental operator’s requirements across a broad range of clinical procedures.

· Assist the dental operator in the provision of dental treatment and to supervise the patient until they are fit to leave the department.

· Prepare filling and impression materials, instruments, equipment, dressings and syringes.

· Use equipment such as hand instruments, aspiration equipment in a manner which minimises the risk of cross infection or soft tissue injury.

· Provide pre and post-operative instructions for patients in agreement with the dental operator.

· Assist the dental operator in making arrangements for appropriate follow up care.

· Maintain hand pieces, aspirators and other equipment.

· Process and mount radiographs.

· Arrange for the timely supply of materials and laboratory work.

· Utilise keyboard skills for data entry on dental software programme.

· Accompany the dental operator on domiciliary visits and/or working in a mobile dental unit.

Communication:

· Communicate appropriately and effectively in good English using

appropriate terminology by spoken, written and electronic methods and maintain

and develop these skills.

· Receive the patient into the department and prepare them for treatment.

· Reassure patients and explain dental procedures especially when there may be communication difficulties.

· Monitor, support and reassure the patient through effective reassurance and relevant behavioural technique.

· Monitor patients, identify any complications and take the necessary actions consistent with agreed local and national protocol.

· Record treatment, for example; baseline charting, clinical treatments and periodontal charting from the dental operator’s instructions. This may involve paper based and computer systems.

· Undertake reception duties when required, for example; answering the telephone, making appointments, explaining and where appropriate collecting patient charges.

· Take immediate advice from a senior colleague if a patient needs to be seen urgently.

Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, further duties and responsibilities related to Professionalism, Leadership and Management will be relevant to the Dental Nurse role.

Effort and Environment:

Physical:

To sit or stand in a restricted position for a substantial proportion of the working day.

To carry domiciliary equipment, push x-ray machine, when necessary.

Mental:

To remain alert when assisting the dental operator and ensure attention to detail when completing patient records.

Emotional:

To deal with patients with special needs phobics, children and the elderly.

Working conditions:

To decontaminate and handle instruments often contaminated with blood, saliva and debris.

To maintain an aseptic working environment throughout and clear up at the end of the session ensuring that high standards are met.

NOTE:

The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description although comprehensive are not definitive and you may be required to perform other duties at the request of your manager or dental assessor. This job description is designed to reflect duties currently incorporated in this post. Any future changes, to meet service need, will be fully discussed with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of education to GCSE level or equivalent, including English and Maths

Desirable

• Level 2 functional skills in English and Numeracy

Experience

Essential

• Commitment to personal and professional development

Desirable

• Experience working in a health care setting
• Experience in customer services

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Able to attend CDS settings
• Team Player
• Enthusiastic, approachable
• Good timekeeper
• Smart appearance

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Good organisation
• Ability to empathise, reassure
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to work autonomously with manager, clinician and assessor for reference
• Ability to work flexible hours

Desirable

• Car driver

Knowledge

Essential

• Familiar with the role of the dental nurse within the dental team

Desirable

• Familiar with dental anatomy and physiology
• Familiar with the process of Infection Control
• First Aid Certificate
• Knowledge of
• Data Protection
• Knowledge of Information Governance

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

Liverpool Road Health Centre

9 Liverpool Road

Luton

LU1 1HH

Employer's website

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