Specialist Dental Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

General

• The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.
• At Kings we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind. We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful. We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team. We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

• To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
• To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
• All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
• Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At Kings, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed

Clinical responsibilities

Actively provide a high level of chairside assistance within the department across a full range of dental and surgical treatments and procedures.

Where appropriate, assisting with patients receiving treatment under relative analgesia or IV sedation. Providing pre and post-operative care

Receive and act upon instructions from dental surgeons regarding the treatment of patients and report any change in their condition. Reassure and inform patients regarding future treatment and appointments

Assist with any problems presented by the patient or their relatives, the dentist or other nursing staff. Being aware of language and cultural difficulties and dealing with these in a sensitive and appropriate manner

Provide dental nursing care for patients with special needs, vulnerable children, and the elderly, mentally and physically disabled patients, patients suffering terminal illness, infectious risk, medically compromised, anxious/ phobic patients and people with challenging behaviour

Prepare dental instruments, equipment, drugs, materials ready for each case and clear away used items at the end of each session

Monitor the standard of all equipment in the department and report any deficiencies or problems to the appropriate person

Stock and check the emergency trolleys within the department on a daily basis. Check all equipment is fully operational and all drugs are in date

Maintain confidentiality and adhere to the Data Protection Act at all times

Assist with the collection, labelling and dispatch of specimens, study models and dental work to the Laboratories/porters and deal with any enquiries

Ensure treatment and communication recognises individual patient needs

Check and maintain stock levels of sterile supplies including dental instruments, hand pieces, burs and other specialist instruments and equipment. Liaise with the Central Sterile Service Department to ensure adequate sterile supplies are always available

Dispose of hazardous or toxic waste materials in accordance with appropriate guidelines and protocols

Participate in the effective management of patients who have undergone a medical emergency

Assist with patients receiving treatment under relative analgesia, inhalation sedation or intravenous sedation

Carry out pre-operative procedures prior to treatment being carried out under conscious sedation

To ensure the smooth running of sedation clinics.

Checking patients' fitness for discharge after sedation and providing post-operative information verbally and in writing

Communication and Representation

Work under the supervision and direction of the Senior Dental Nurse to ensure the smooth operational running of the department

Act up in the absence of the Senior Dental Nurse ensuring that dental nurse services are maintained. This will include checking and maintaining stock, drugs & equipment levels, supervising trainee dental nurses, induction of new dental nurse staff, ensuring that policies for Health & Safety, Fire and Cross Infection are adhered to and reporting any deficiencies or problems in the department

Supervise new dental nurse staff and trainee dental nurses allocated to the department. Ensure that all dental nurses maintain professional standards at all times. Take appropriate action where standards are not consistently being met

Assist the Senior Dental Nurse in the planned induction and integration of new dental nurses / trainee dental nurses. Contribute to the induction and integration of other members of the multi-disciplinary team

Hold the departmental drug cupboard keys and dispense drugs to the operator to give to the patient

Undertake general cleaning duties including work surfaces and equipment (above waist level) to ensure a high standard of cleanliness is maintained

Prepare and submit clerical work as requested by the Senior Dental Nurse, Dental Nurse Services Manager and Head of Department

Assist with the implementation and integration of new initiatives into the department

Report to the Senior Dental Nurse where services or standards can be improved or where policies and procedures are not being implemented or adhered to

Initiate and participate in departmental, dental nursing and other meetings on a regular basis

Attend departmental and dental nurse meetings/audits to discuss aspects of the service and to consider improvements

Any other duties consistent with the grade

Education and Training

Maintain statutory training records including, Immediate Life Support (ILS), Paediatric Immediate Life Support (PILS), Fire, Manual Handling, Health & Safety and Safeguarding

Maintain up to date and accurate records of all CPD training

Be responsible for maintaining own CPD for sedation duties

Annually submits a CPD declaration to the General Dental Council

Annually renews registration with the GDC and provides a copy of the certificate on request

Undertake personal development tasks as directed by the Senior Dental Nurse and Dental Nurse Services Manager

Governance / Quality Control

Ensure that all GDC requirements are up to date and complete

The Trust mandatory training is complete

Carry out recommended hours of CPD for area of specialism to maintain being recognised as a Specialist

Adhere to infection prevention control and the uniform policy

Take part in clinic audits when required

Person Specification

Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• GDC registration
• Dental Nursing Qualification
• Post certification in sedation
• Experience in dental nursing
• Good communication skills
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Working with both adults and children
• Experience working with neurodivergent patients

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

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 9RW

Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)