Special Care Dental Nurse

Livewell Southwest

The closing date is 24 November 2024

Job summary

30 hours per week.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Special Care Dental Nurse to join the specialist led, multidisciplinary team of Plymouth Community Dental Services, part of Livewell Southwest. This post is a fixed term maternity cover.

Applications are welcomed from experienced and suitably qualified registered dental nurses with a post certificate qualification in Dental Sedation and that have an up to date record of experience in assisting during surgery of patients in receiving conscious sedation.

PCDS provides a high level of general and specialised dental services to Plymouth and the surrounding district and are looking for candidates who are caring, passionate and enthusiastic in providing high quality care.

If you have the necessary qualifications, experience and enthusiasm to join our dedicated team, we would like to hear from you.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Job Share(s) Considered

Main duties of the job

Work with dental operator providing patient care inc. clinical procedures &chair side assisting & the use of inhalation/intravenous sedation.

Assist & be empathetic with patients/carers, inc. those who have special needs & dealing with them promptly & efficiently.

Works with all dental equipment including sharp/fine instruments.

Provide advice to patients/carers about dental procedures including pre/post-operative advice, management of complications & pain control.

Prepare the clinical environment prior to/end of clinical sessions, following cross infection & decontamination protocols

Check surgery equipment & report any faults

Ensure routine & emergency equipment is checked & available

Assist with the decontamination / sterilisation of equipment & instruments & other responsibilities in the decontamination suite following cross infection procedures according to local/national guidelines

Prepares the surgery for the patient using knowledge & experience to select the appropriate equipment/materials/instruments

Assists dental officer on domiciliary visits, epidemiology surveys & school screening when required

Develops x-rays using digital equipment

Assist in the event of a medical emergency

Work at different locations to meet the needs of the Service, when required inc. GA sessions at UHP

Undertakes specific duties delegated by Dental Operators & Plymouth Community Dental Services Ltd Managers.

Follows organisation policies & those determined by others, inc. NHS BDA.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.

We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.

Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:

Protected CPD time for registered staff

Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff

Leadership & mentoring programmes

A bespoke induction programme

Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Date posted

04 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2024-D19

Job locations

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


The Dental Access Centre

Baring Street

Plymouth

PL4 8NF


Scott Dental Access Centre - Scott Business Park

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Post holder works with special care dentists treating patients with special needs mostlyhaving treatment under conscious sedation. Post holder also provides Dental Sedation Nursing support to all Dentists carrying out Dental Sedation, including Oral Surgery.

Post holder has GDC registration and holds the NEBDN certificate in conscious sedationand thereby acts as the second appropriately trained person working with the dentist in line with the British Dental association patient safety guidelines

Post holder requires knowledge of complex medical, physical and mental health problems,which has been gained through a minimum of 2 years experience

Post holder will be required to monitor sedated patients during both treatment andrecovery, and needs to recognise and assist with medical emergencies.

Post holder will discharge patients with the dentists agreement, and be responsible forgiving relevant post operative instructions and care

To assist all operators in all chair side assisting. To support and care for patients duringprocedures using conscious sedation.

Follows all sedation related local policies and SOPs, including the correct preparation ofequipment and attends local drawing up drugs training with sedation lead.

Records clinical observations on patients sedation record

Carries out performance checks and daily maintenance on specialist equipment i.e. PulseOximeter, Oxygen cylinders, Scavenger unit and Relative analgesia machine to sure the equipment is ready for use and if faulty to remove from use and report to the relevant technician.

Prepares the surgery environment using knowledge and experience to select theappropriate equipment, materials and instruments, using specialist knowledge based on patients medical, physical and emotional needs.

Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team in Freedom day case units assisting operator treating patients under general anaesthesia. Providing technical and clinical support for patients undergoing these procedures. Providing post operative care plans for these patients

Triage of urgent care patients to assess the urgency of treatment and determine thecorrect booking and then book appointments including outlying clinics.

Registered, as a Dental Nurse, with the GDC.

Thorough knowledge of dental procedures gained through a minimum of 2 years post-qualification training and experience.

Thorough knowledge of routine dental procedures and equipment gained through in-house training and experience including specialised areas such as general anaesthetics.

Experienced in treating patients from diverse cultural backgrounds i.e. those who require interpretation services.

Knowledge of Basic Life Support techniques and certificate of training and willingness to complete ILS training/certification and regular updates, provided by Livewell Southwest

Trained in recognising medical emergencies and assists in dealing with them.

Trained by PCDS / Livewell in all Mandatory Training topics, including Manual Handling, Breakaway, Health and Safety when required.

Clinical work is carried out without direct supervision using initiative and knowledge of procedures gained through experience and training. The guidance of a dental operator or clinical manager is sought for non-routine clinical procedures.

Administrative duties are carried out without direct supervision using knowledge of procedures and referring to a Manager for non-routine procedures.

Holds the NEBDN certificate in conscious sedation

Thorough knowledge of specialist dental procedures gained through a minimum of 2 years post qualification, training and experience

Will be required to carry out additional duties and responsibilities.

Communicates with patients within specialist groups on specialist dental topics. Judgement, reassurance and motivation, are necessary to ensure instructions are given to patients in a manner which they can understand.

Please see full Job Description within the supporting information section.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Post holder works with special care dentists treating patients with special needs mostlyhaving treatment under conscious sedation. Post holder also provides Dental Sedation Nursing support to all Dentists carrying out Dental Sedation, including Oral Surgery.

Post holder has GDC registration and holds the NEBDN certificate in conscious sedationand thereby acts as the second appropriately trained person working with the dentist in line with the British Dental association patient safety guidelines

Post holder requires knowledge of complex medical, physical and mental health problems,which has been gained through a minimum of 2 years experience

Post holder will be required to monitor sedated patients during both treatment andrecovery, and needs to recognise and assist with medical emergencies.

Post holder will discharge patients with the dentists agreement, and be responsible forgiving relevant post operative instructions and care

To assist all operators in all chair side assisting. To support and care for patients duringprocedures using conscious sedation.

Follows all sedation related local policies and SOPs, including the correct preparation ofequipment and attends local drawing up drugs training with sedation lead.

Records clinical observations on patients sedation record

Carries out performance checks and daily maintenance on specialist equipment i.e. PulseOximeter, Oxygen cylinders, Scavenger unit and Relative analgesia machine to sure the equipment is ready for use and if faulty to remove from use and report to the relevant technician.

Prepares the surgery environment using knowledge and experience to select theappropriate equipment, materials and instruments, using specialist knowledge based on patients medical, physical and emotional needs.

Works as part of a multi-disciplinary team in Freedom day case units assisting operator treating patients under general anaesthesia. Providing technical and clinical support for patients undergoing these procedures. Providing post operative care plans for these patients

Triage of urgent care patients to assess the urgency of treatment and determine thecorrect booking and then book appointments including outlying clinics.

Registered, as a Dental Nurse, with the GDC.

Thorough knowledge of dental procedures gained through a minimum of 2 years post-qualification training and experience.

Thorough knowledge of routine dental procedures and equipment gained through in-house training and experience including specialised areas such as general anaesthetics.

Experienced in treating patients from diverse cultural backgrounds i.e. those who require interpretation services.

Knowledge of Basic Life Support techniques and certificate of training and willingness to complete ILS training/certification and regular updates, provided by Livewell Southwest

Trained in recognising medical emergencies and assists in dealing with them.

Trained by PCDS / Livewell in all Mandatory Training topics, including Manual Handling, Breakaway, Health and Safety when required.

Clinical work is carried out without direct supervision using initiative and knowledge of procedures gained through experience and training. The guidance of a dental operator or clinical manager is sought for non-routine clinical procedures.

Administrative duties are carried out without direct supervision using knowledge of procedures and referring to a Manager for non-routine procedures.

Holds the NEBDN certificate in conscious sedation

Thorough knowledge of specialist dental procedures gained through a minimum of 2 years post qualification, training and experience

Will be required to carry out additional duties and responsibilities.

Communicates with patients within specialist groups on specialist dental topics. Judgement, reassurance and motivation, are necessary to ensure instructions are given to patients in a manner which they can understand.

Please see full Job Description within the supporting information section.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NEBDN Qualification/City & Guilds NVQ3 or equivalent in Dental Nursing
  • NEBDN qualification in Dental Sedation Nursing
  • Registered as a Dental Nurse with the GDC
  • GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent) English and maths

Desirable

  • Additional Dental Nurse qualifications.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as a member of a team
  • A minimum of 2 years dental nursing experience.
  • Experience of working in a sedation setting

Desirable

  • Assists with the induction of new staff
  • Trains and supports new and less qualified staff.
  • Experience of working in the salaried, community or personal dental services within the NHS.
  • Experience of working within Special Care Dentistry, paediatric and/or Oral Surgery.
  • Experience in undertaking extra duties to support your team and/or service

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of the equipment and materials used in dental, surgical and sedation procedures.
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.
  • Knowledge of Cross Infection control measures.
  • Carries out clinical and administrative work without direct supervision.
  • Promotes best practice and a high level of patient care for the Plymouth Community Dental Services Ltd.
  • Fluent in spoken and written English language.
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good keyboard and ICT skills
  • Calm reassuring manner
  • Good interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with staff at all grades and ability to support patients of all social backgrounds and all outside agencies
  • Organises tasks and activities to make optimum use of clinical time.
  • Works and communicates with all members of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • To act in a professional manner at all times.
  • Competent in recognising and dealing with medical emergencies
  • Make decisions as to best practice.
  • Carries out performance checks and daily maintenance on dental equipment.

Desirable

  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
  • Up to date in Basic life support training
  • Up to date in Intermediate Life Support training
  • Computer literate including use of Software of Excellence dental package, such as SOEL Health and Dentally
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NEBDN Qualification/City & Guilds NVQ3 or equivalent in Dental Nursing
  • NEBDN qualification in Dental Sedation Nursing
  • Registered as a Dental Nurse with the GDC
  • GCSE Grade A-C (or equivalent) English and maths

Desirable

  • Additional Dental Nurse qualifications.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working as a member of a team
  • A minimum of 2 years dental nursing experience.
  • Experience of working in a sedation setting

Desirable

  • Assists with the induction of new staff
  • Trains and supports new and less qualified staff.
  • Experience of working in the salaried, community or personal dental services within the NHS.
  • Experience of working within Special Care Dentistry, paediatric and/or Oral Surgery.
  • Experience in undertaking extra duties to support your team and/or service

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of the equipment and materials used in dental, surgical and sedation procedures.
  • Knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.
  • Knowledge of Cross Infection control measures.
  • Carries out clinical and administrative work without direct supervision.
  • Promotes best practice and a high level of patient care for the Plymouth Community Dental Services Ltd.
  • Fluent in spoken and written English language.
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good keyboard and ICT skills
  • Calm reassuring manner
  • Good interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with staff at all grades and ability to support patients of all social backgrounds and all outside agencies
  • Organises tasks and activities to make optimum use of clinical time.
  • Works and communicates with all members of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • To act in a professional manner at all times.
  • Competent in recognising and dealing with medical emergencies
  • Make decisions as to best practice.
  • Carries out performance checks and daily maintenance on dental equipment.

Desirable

  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
  • Up to date in Basic life support training
  • Up to date in Intermediate Life Support training
  • Computer literate including use of Software of Excellence dental package, such as SOEL Health and Dentally

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


Employer's website

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


For questions about the job, contact:

Dental Nurse Manager

Katie Nicholls

katienicholls1@nhs.net

01752434657

Date posted

04 November 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2024-D19

Job locations

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY


The Dental Access Centre

Baring Street

Plymouth

PL4 8NF


Scott Dental Access Centre - Scott Business Park

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Livewell Southwest's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)