Job summary
Are you looking for a new exciting career within the NHS? Are you patient focussed and want to deliver high quality dental care?
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Theatre department for a Qualified Dental Nurse to train as an Assistant Practitioner and support the theatre team utilising additional skills. Training will be provided by the University of Derby and the successful applicant will graduate with a Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Qualification.
The successful applicant will be expected to begin their Theatre Pathway Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship in September 2026, allowing the individual time to induct and embed within the existing theatre team.
The successful applicant will be expected to meet the entry criteria specified by the University of Derby as well as the Person Specification for the role and evidence will need to be provided at the interview stage.
The following position is available:
1.0WTE Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner Apprentice
The Assistant Theatre Practitioner role refers to a Band 4 professional working within a health and social care setting who undertakes more advanced and complex skills and procedures beyond those of a traditional Support Worker or Health Care Assistant.
Obtaining the Level 5 Assistant Practitioner qualification will allow the successful candidate to apply & progress onto Year 2 of the OPD course should they wish to further there career outside of this role.
Main duties of the job
- To take responsibility for own training and development opportunities to support with the Higher-Level Apprenticeship and development of competency-based portfolio.
- To maintain an excellent level of attendance throughout the course.
- Prepare for and transport patients to, within and from the perioperative care environment.
- Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment
- Assist in the support and monitoring of patients within the perioperative environment.
- Assist the registered practitioner in the delivery of perioperative patient care.
- Carry out delegated activities in receiving, handling and dispatching specimens.
- Prepare and dress for scrubbed clinical roles.
- Prepare surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team.
- Assist in the preparation of patients for operative and clinically invasive procedures.
- Provide surgical instrumentation and items for the surgical team and maintain the sterile field.
- Receive and handle clinical specimens within the sterile field.
- Assist in the transfer and positioning of patients within the perioperative environment.
- Perform the non-scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures.
- Carry out delegated activities in the anaesthetic environment/Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) whilst under direct supervision.
About us
BCHC has more than 5000 staff working across Birmingham and the West Midlands in a wide range of community nursing and specialist healthcare roles. BCHC delivers over 100 clinical services, in people's homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities. We deliver a wide range of services for children, young people and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehab Centre and one of Europe's leading Dental Hospitals and School of Dentistry. We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.
If you want to 'Be Part of Our Team' and work with a Foundation Trust which is continuously striving for best care and healthy communities, we want to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a detailed description of the role, please see attached Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner apprentice job description and person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a detailed description of the role, please see attached Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner apprentice job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Dental Nursing Qualification (NEBDN, NVQ Level 3, Level 3 Diploma or equivalent)
- Professional Registration with General Dental Council
- Level 2 English (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills English, Key Skills Level 2 Communication or equivalent)
- Level 2 Maths (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, Key Skills Level 2 Application of Number (Numeracy) or equivalent)
Desirable
- Sedation Dental Nursing post qualification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience working as part of a dental team, e.g. General Practice, Hospital, other Primary Dental Services / Community Dental Services experiencing chair side duties
Desirable
- Experience of working with children, elderly, medically compromised patients, and patients with learning disabilities
- Theatre Experience
- Evidence of CPD / Recent Study
Skills/Knowledge
Essential
- To interact professionally with individuals
- Understand the principles of confidentiality
- Up to date knowledge in all areas of dental nursing
- Manual dexterity
- Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
- Organisational skills
- Good general numeracy
- Good working knowledge of cross infection procedures
- Computer Skills
- Knowledge of dental procedures
Desirable
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Flexibility
- Ability to deal with emotional & challenging situations
- Ability to meet travel requirements of the role
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Dental Nursing Qualification (NEBDN, NVQ Level 3, Level 3 Diploma or equivalent)
- Professional Registration with General Dental Council
- Level 2 English (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills English, Key Skills Level 2 Communication or equivalent)
- Level 2 Maths (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, Key Skills Level 2 Application of Number (Numeracy) or equivalent)
Desirable
- Sedation Dental Nursing post qualification
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience working as part of a dental team, e.g. General Practice, Hospital, other Primary Dental Services / Community Dental Services experiencing chair side duties
Desirable
- Experience of working with children, elderly, medically compromised patients, and patients with learning disabilities
- Theatre Experience
- Evidence of CPD / Recent Study
Skills/Knowledge
Essential
- To interact professionally with individuals
- Understand the principles of confidentiality
- Up to date knowledge in all areas of dental nursing
- Manual dexterity
- Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
- Organisational skills
- Good general numeracy
- Good working knowledge of cross infection procedures
- Computer Skills
- Knowledge of dental procedures
Desirable
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Flexibility
- Ability to deal with emotional & challenging situations
- Ability to meet travel requirements of the role
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.
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.
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).
