Dental Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide chair side support to clinicians during clinical and minor oral surgery procedures, assisting in the care and management of the patient throughout the patients treatment journey, including pre operative and post operative care of patients during Minor Oral Surgery, General Anaesthesia (GA) and Conscious Sedation (inhalation sedation or intravenous sedation) procedures following appropriate training. To act as a chaperone at all times.

Routine involvement with children and adult patients, challenging patient groups, including patients with complex medical histories, mental health problems and learning difficulties, with frequent exposure to blood and saliva, possible exposure to verbal and physical aggression, and on occasion other bodily fluids e.g. vomit, urine and faeces.

Responsible for preparation and organisation of clinical environments where clinical procedures will be undertaken, clinical environments may also include hospital operating theatres and recovery areas, prisons and secure mental health units.

Demonstrate and maintain a high standard of infection prevention and control at all times in accordance with Department of Health, Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 Decontamination in primary care dental service.

To ensure accurate preparation and presentation of dental materials, dressings, medicaments, instruments and equipment as requested by the clinician.

Following appropriate accredited training, provide support in Conscious Sedation (inhalation sedation/ I.V sedation) procedures under the supervision and direction of the clinician. Provide verbal and written pre- and post-operative advice/ instructions for patients and carers which complement the actions of other team members.

Perform monitoring of the patients physical signs prior to, during and post treatment, enabling early recognition of condition changes and ensuring appropriate action is taken where appropriate e.g. recovery after sedation or difficult procedures.

Check haemostasis is achieved prior to patient discharge.

Recognise and participate in the management of medical emergencies when required. Ensuring competence is maintained on an annual basis, e.g. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS) Immediate Life Support (ILS), Paediatric Life Support (PILS) training.

Decontaminate, prepare and store dental equipment and instruments following local and national decontamination policies and procedures ensuring re-useable devices are maintained to a high standard in accordance with HTM 01-05 Decontamination in primary care dental service.

Perform and record validation test procedures for decontamination and sterilisation equipment on a daily and weekly basis, acting on and reporting faults to the appropriate person or agency.

Prepare and decontaminate equipment and pre/post prosthetic laboratory work ready for transportation when necessary.

Processing and storage of digital dental radiographs and assisting in the correct procedure for dental radiography, and where applicable process and develop

non - digital radiographs, complying with current Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR) Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations (IRMER) and Health & Safety regulations.

Responsible for the control and ordering of stock including all dental supplies, medical gases and associated drugs as required. This may include where applicable the stock control, monitoring, and receipt of Controlled Drugs in accordance with Trust policies. Ensuring effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources.

Where necessary following appropriate training, provide support to clinicians undertaking epidemiological surveys within schools and other establishments, including associated administration duties, for example the planning, organising and preparation of the surveys and data inputting survey results following surveys.

Be able in the case of clinical enquiries to determine the nature and urgency and deal with or direct to the appropriate person.

Provide and receive patient identifiable information which may be complex and sensitive ensuring patient confidentiality is not compromised.

Communicate effectively with clinicians, staff, other healthcare professionals, professional bodies and external organisations/agencies.

Foster an environment of mutual support and respect for all team members, promoting teamwork and high morale.

Relieve/provide cover/assist at other clinics and activities within reasonable distance from base clinic when required to meet the needs of the Service.

To always practice in accordance with the GDC Standards for the Dental Team in order that a safe and quality service is provided, and to be accountable for own actions when delivering dental nursing care.

Maintain GDC professional registration on annual basis.

Be responsible for maintaining own continuing professional development in accordance with GDC CPD requirements, contributing to the formation of own objectives and personal development plan.

Demonstrate awareness of legislation, for example safeguarding children, safeguarding vulnerable adults, mental health issues and act appropriately when required.

To participate in in-service training as appropriate.

To assist/support in the induction and training of new staff, and on occasion work experience visitors. May also include familiarisation support/locality inductions for less experienced staff or staff that are covering clinic they do not normally work at.

To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent and reliable attendance.

To be appropriately dressed within the clinical environment in adherence to the Trusts Uniform and Dress Code policy and to act in accordance with the Trusts Employee Code of Conduct

Person Specification

Additional Criteria

Essential

• The ability to travel independently across the Trust
• The ability to work flexibly in accordance with service needs

Qualifications

Essential

• Current professional registration with the General Dental Council
• General Dental Council recognised qualification, e.g. NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing, or City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing, or Higher Education Certificate in Dental Nursing, or Foundation Degree in Dental Nursing
• Willing to work towards Conscious Sedation qualification

Desirable

• NEBDN post- qualification in the following areas of practice:
• Special Care Dental Nursing Conscious Sedation Oral Health or
• Dental Radiography

Right to Work

Essential

• Do you have the right to stay and work in the UK without sponsorship (share-codes will be checked if applicable)

Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience as a dental nurse
• Experience and knowledge of wide range of dental procedures
• Evidence of professional development/ updated/current knowledge and learning
• Proven experience of ability to work within a team and to work using own initiative

Desirable

• Previous experience working within an NHS organisation
• Conscious sedation experience and /or General Anaesthetic experience Minor Oral Surgery experience
• Care of patients with a range of disabilities including medical physical or learning disabilities mental health dental phobia/anxiety

Additional Criteria

Essential

• If you are related to a director, or have a relationship with a director or employee of an appointing organisation, please state the relationship:

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

Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Helens Dental Clinic

College Street

St Helens

WA10 1UH

Employer's website

http://bridgewater.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)