Job summary
Applications are invited for a Dental Therapist in Restorative Dentistry based at Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil. Other hospitals which duties are performed, Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
The Restorative Dentistry Service is part of the Maxillo-facial Department which includes Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Oral Surgery and Orthodontics.
This post will be one day per week. The successful applicant will undertake duties in the Oral & Maxillofacial Outpatient Department and in Community Hospitals. They will carry out a range of tasks involving direct and indirect care for the benefit of the patients in accordance with clearly defined occupational policies and agreed departmental protocols. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that all policies and procedures are observed, and meet Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) requirements, as well as General Dental Council (GDC) Standards and Code of Conduct.
Welsh Skills Desirable: This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. This doesn't mean essential; whilst the candidate doesn't need to have skills in Welsh, we'll consider it an advantage when short-listing and selecting candidates. This isn't 'fluency', just Speaking & Listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means basic conversations with patients about their everyday health. For more information, see 'Welsh Language Guidance' in the documents right at the bottom.
Main duties of the job
o Provide dental care for patients with complex medical, physical and mental health needs, including Head and Neck Oncology patients.o Provide an Oral Health Programme for Head and Neck patients, both working autonomously and under a written prescription from a Dentist as per General Dental Council Scope of Practice.o Be responsible for maintaining high standards of patient care, confirmation of consent, medical history and clinical governance.o Be responsible for the development and implementation of policies where appropriate and ensuring that all policies and procedures are adhered to.o Provide support and clinical supervision of junior staff, including students, dental undergraduates and junior oral health practitioners.o Be responsible for maintaining accurate, current, comprehensive and concise records concerning the condition of the client, in accordance with GDC Standards and the UHB's Patient Record Policy.o Conform to guidance provided by the General Dental Council for the role of a Dental Therapist.o Liaise with all appropriate Clinical Specialists i.e. Doctors, Dentists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians and Clinical Nurse Specialists, in relation to individual patient requirements and planned programmes of care.
About us
Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) University Health Board, part of NHS Wales, serves a large population across a diverse and beautiful region, steeped in history and heritage. With nearly 13,500 staff, our health board is one of Wales's largest employers.
Together, we are Team CTM; a workforce dedicated to offering excellent patient care and support to the 450,000 people across our three regions, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We operate three District General hospitals, several community hospitals, primary and community care facilities.
CTM's location offers the best of South Wales, just 20 minutes from Cardiff's vibrant city life, the natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and the serene coastline at Ogmore. Whether you enjoy lively urban amenities, peaceful countryside, or seaside escapes, our location makes an ideal setting for both work and personal life.
Our CTM 2030 Strategy--Our Health, Our Future--focuses on uniting our region around shared health and wellbeing goals. Our values guide us daily:
o We listen, learn, and improve
o We treat everyone with respect
o We work together as one team
CTM employees enjoy benefits including; a leading pension, generous leave, flexible work, career growth, and access to ongoing learning and development.
At CTM, you'll find a welcoming, team-oriented workplace that values diversity and compassion, where you can take pride in your work and the difference it makes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide a full range of dental care to patients, as governed by the legislative framework for dental therapists. Take responsibility for patient treatment standards, confirmation of consent, medical history and clinical governance. They will be expected to lead Governance and Audit in their area of practice. Have knowledge and understanding of complex medical, dental and social issues and understand how they affect patients and their treatment and care. Provide evidence based highly specialised clinical treatment and care to patients referred from General Dental Practitioners, Hospital based Specialist Services, General Medical Practitioners and other Healthcare Professionals. Provide autonomous direct access clinics when appropriate. To include examination, radiographs, diagnosis and treatment planning within scope of practice, in appropriate situations to ensure the delivery of effective dental care. To be able to work to the prescription of a Restorative consultant and/or their team of clinicians. To develop and formulate specialised long term treatment plans for the complex patient groups (in particular head and neck cancer patients) seen within the department, liaising with primary care clinicians in order to ensure patients are able to access this care with their primary care dental teams or oversee a shared care approach between primary and secondary care. Monitor the dental health of all patients, assess developments in the patients dental health, record findings accordingly and report to Senior members of the team when required. Undertake treatment clinics, which can involve sitting in a restricted position for substantial periods, whilst completing treatments. In particular treating patients with trismus and limited oral access. To demonstrate the very fine and intricate motor skills required to treat extensive dental caries in head and neck cancer patients, post radiotherapy and to be able to carry this out under magnification. Prescribe, take and interpret dental radiographs within expected competence, implementing the Ionising Radiation (1999) and IRMER (2000) regulations. Participate in the delivery of evidence based patient care, ensuring consistency and continuity in the quality of care. When required, to attend the head and neck oncology multidisciplinary team clinic on a weekly basis, demonstrating empathy and compassion to patients. Communicating diagnoses and breaking dental bad news to patients, in a manner that clear and understandable to a non-dentally trained audience. Be required to act independently within Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, referring to supervisory management as appropriate. They will be responsible for ensuring that all resources within that area are used to an optimum effect. To develop policy and service development within the dental therapist scope, collaborating with dental clinicians and other specialist areas such as cancer nurse specialists, multi-disciplinary team where changes and implementations may affect these services.Alongside the consultants and unit manager, prepare and produce new standard operating procedures relating to dental therapy where appropriate and to implement any pre-existing standard operating procedures. To deliver teaching programmes for primary care dental teams within the University Health Board area for the long-term primary care management of head and neck cancer patients. To add to and to maintain the local digital restorative dentistry patient database for secondary care restorative services. Actively to participate and present findings in audit and clinical governance activities, supporting and implementing any necessary changes in relation to patient care, policy and services. Understand the function of all equipment used for treatments, its care and maintenance (where appropriate) adhering to Health and Safety and Medical Device Agency requirements at all times. Assemble and dismantle dental equipment, identifying and reporting any faults with the equipment in a timely manner. Adhere to risk management protocols such as sharps disposal, sharps injuries and disposal of hazardous substances, to minimise the risks to both patients and staff. Ability to manage complex clinical and management situations requiring analysis, interpretation, assessment and presentation of a range of options. Ability to communicate complex condition specific information by using excellent verbal and written language. Excellent communication skills and an ability to handle difficult conversations. Have freedom to act within established parameters.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide a full range of dental care to patients, as governed by the legislative framework for dental therapists. Take responsibility for patient treatment standards, confirmation of consent, medical history and clinical governance. They will be expected to lead Governance and Audit in their area of practice. Have knowledge and understanding of complex medical, dental and social issues and understand how they affect patients and their treatment and care. Provide evidence based highly specialised clinical treatment and care to patients referred from General Dental Practitioners, Hospital based Specialist Services, General Medical Practitioners and other Healthcare Professionals. Provide autonomous direct access clinics when appropriate. To include examination, radiographs, diagnosis and treatment planning within scope of practice, in appropriate situations to ensure the delivery of effective dental care. To be able to work to the prescription of a Restorative consultant and/or their team of clinicians. To develop and formulate specialised long term treatment plans for the complex patient groups (in particular head and neck cancer patients) seen within the department, liaising with primary care clinicians in order to ensure patients are able to access this care with their primary care dental teams or oversee a shared care approach between primary and secondary care. Monitor the dental health of all patients, assess developments in the patients dental health, record findings accordingly and report to Senior members of the team when required. Undertake treatment clinics, which can involve sitting in a restricted position for substantial periods, whilst completing treatments. In particular treating patients with trismus and limited oral access. To demonstrate the very fine and intricate motor skills required to treat extensive dental caries in head and neck cancer patients, post radiotherapy and to be able to carry this out under magnification. Prescribe, take and interpret dental radiographs within expected competence, implementing the Ionising Radiation (1999) and IRMER (2000) regulations. Participate in the delivery of evidence based patient care, ensuring consistency and continuity in the quality of care. When required, to attend the head and neck oncology multidisciplinary team clinic on a weekly basis, demonstrating empathy and compassion to patients. Communicating diagnoses and breaking dental bad news to patients, in a manner that clear and understandable to a non-dentally trained audience. Be required to act independently within Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB, referring to supervisory management as appropriate. They will be responsible for ensuring that all resources within that area are used to an optimum effect. To develop policy and service development within the dental therapist scope, collaborating with dental clinicians and other specialist areas such as cancer nurse specialists, multi-disciplinary team where changes and implementations may affect these services.Alongside the consultants and unit manager, prepare and produce new standard operating procedures relating to dental therapy where appropriate and to implement any pre-existing standard operating procedures. To deliver teaching programmes for primary care dental teams within the University Health Board area for the long-term primary care management of head and neck cancer patients. To add to and to maintain the local digital restorative dentistry patient database for secondary care restorative services. Actively to participate and present findings in audit and clinical governance activities, supporting and implementing any necessary changes in relation to patient care, policy and services. Understand the function of all equipment used for treatments, its care and maintenance (where appropriate) adhering to Health and Safety and Medical Device Agency requirements at all times. Assemble and dismantle dental equipment, identifying and reporting any faults with the equipment in a timely manner. Adhere to risk management protocols such as sharps disposal, sharps injuries and disposal of hazardous substances, to minimise the risks to both patients and staff. Ability to manage complex clinical and management situations requiring analysis, interpretation, assessment and presentation of a range of options. Ability to communicate complex condition specific information by using excellent verbal and written language. Excellent communication skills and an ability to handle difficult conversations. Have freedom to act within established parameters.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Dental Therapy.
- Educated to a Masters level or equivalent qualification, knowledge or experience in direct access care and treatment/treatment planning of Head and neck cancer patients, developmental anomalies patients, cleft Lip and palate patients.
- Full registration with the General Dental Council as a Dental Therapist.
- Certified Competence of extended duties e.g. prescribing, taking and interpreting radiographs.
- Able to work independently and formulate treatment plans within scope of practice.
- Member of an appropriate dental protection society.
- Able to contribute to development of local Standard Operating Procedures and policy alongside the unit manager and consultant.
- Able to treatment plan and treat patients with complex/multiple complex oral presentations, including those associated with head and neck cancer and the treatment of this condition.
Desirable
- Evidence of further education.
- Knowledge of a range of oral health procedures acquired through training at a diploma or degree level.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of treating a range of patients within a specialist setting, requiring complex/intricate treatments.
- Experience/training to provide dental care for patients with complex medical, physical and mental health needs; specifically Head and Neck Oncology patients.
- Significant Dental Therapist experience in a variety of settings.
- Proven leadership and management skills.
- Can demonstrate a good record of achievement in developing clinical practice.
- Can demonstrate a history of providing clinical supervision to junior members of staff and nursing team
- Ability to manage complex clinical and management situations requiring analysis, interpretation, assessment and presentation of a range of options.
- Experience of planning and delivering treatment independently as well as via prescription.
Desirable
- Experience of Policy and Standard Operating Procedure development. Experience of managing patients with multiple complex conditions.
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Experience of working as part of, and lead a team.
- Able to demonstrate situations where effective leadership and management skills have been used including complex situations and conflicts
- Able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when working with others.
- Excellent, effective written and verbal communication skills including ability to maintain a high level of patient record management.
- Ability to communicate complex condition specific information by using excellent verbal and written language.
- Excellent communication skills and an ability to handle difficult conversations and demonstration of de-escalation skills
- Demonstration of audit contribution, participation and leadership
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and willingness to seek out further learning and commitment to continuous service improvement.
Desirable
- Welsh language speaking/listening skills at a Level 3 or above
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Dental Therapy.
- Educated to a Masters level or equivalent qualification, knowledge or experience in direct access care and treatment/treatment planning of Head and neck cancer patients, developmental anomalies patients, cleft Lip and palate patients.
- Full registration with the General Dental Council as a Dental Therapist.
- Certified Competence of extended duties e.g. prescribing, taking and interpreting radiographs.
- Able to work independently and formulate treatment plans within scope of practice.
- Member of an appropriate dental protection society.
- Able to contribute to development of local Standard Operating Procedures and policy alongside the unit manager and consultant.
- Able to treatment plan and treat patients with complex/multiple complex oral presentations, including those associated with head and neck cancer and the treatment of this condition.
Desirable
- Evidence of further education.
- Knowledge of a range of oral health procedures acquired through training at a diploma or degree level.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of treating a range of patients within a specialist setting, requiring complex/intricate treatments.
- Experience/training to provide dental care for patients with complex medical, physical and mental health needs; specifically Head and Neck Oncology patients.
- Significant Dental Therapist experience in a variety of settings.
- Proven leadership and management skills.
- Can demonstrate a good record of achievement in developing clinical practice.
- Can demonstrate a history of providing clinical supervision to junior members of staff and nursing team
- Ability to manage complex clinical and management situations requiring analysis, interpretation, assessment and presentation of a range of options.
- Experience of planning and delivering treatment independently as well as via prescription.
Desirable
- Experience of Policy and Standard Operating Procedure development. Experience of managing patients with multiple complex conditions.
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Experience of working as part of, and lead a team.
- Able to demonstrate situations where effective leadership and management skills have been used including complex situations and conflicts
- Able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when working with others.
- Excellent, effective written and verbal communication skills including ability to maintain a high level of patient record management.
- Ability to communicate complex condition specific information by using excellent verbal and written language.
- Excellent communication skills and an ability to handle difficult conversations and demonstration of de-escalation skills
- Demonstration of audit contribution, participation and leadership
- Demonstrates enthusiasm and willingness to seek out further learning and commitment to continuous service improvement.
Desirable
- Welsh language speaking/listening skills at a Level 3 or above
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).
