Registered Dental Nurse

Job summary

The post holder will be supported by the Senior team and Clinical Nurse Manager and the multidisciplinary team to undertake all relevant forms of dental nursing care and patient management; and be expected to act in an accountable manner, adhering to relevant codes of conduct and policies. You will also show the ability to support and contribute to the supervision and teaching of junior staff and students.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

The role includes responsibility for stock control, laboratory work coordination, and maintaining high standards of infection prevention, safety, and COSHH compliance.

Working within professional standards, the post holder will demonstrate accountability, flexibility, and a strong focus on delivering safe, effective dental nursing care.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

• Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice in dental nursing. Contribute to corporate objectives, acting within local, Trust and statutory guidelines and policies at all times.
• Check all equipment is in working order, document as such and report faults to the relevant department and ensure remedial action is taken as required.
• Ensure that all requisite materials are available e.g., impression materials, filling materials and dressings, Drills etc. and in good working order.
• Organise own workload to give timely and appropriate care and be able to recognise when to share clinical issues.
• To be experienced in departmental routines and develop an understanding of the multidisciplinary team and its input into patient management.
• Assist in the organisation and day-to-day running of designated clinical areas within clearly defined protocols and provide support to the smooth running of the clinical area in the absence of senior dental nurses, escalating issues appropriately
• To participate in team meetings to develop and improve practice in the department and promote new ideas.
• Demonstrates the ability to safely handle biopsies in accordance with current universal infection control precaution guidelines and the health and safety policy and demonstrates adherence to COSHH recommendations when handling specimens.
• Assist in providing appropriate information to patients e.g., regarding clinic delays etc. and after receipt of bad news, following an unexpected event
• Support in teaching of junior staff and students.
• Lay-out, clear and reset dental equipment in between patients and ensure that infection prevention and effective control practices are central to all clinical work.
• To ensure that all equipment, medication, and technology used with the service are of a high quality and maintained, cleaned, and stored appropriately.
• Organisation of cross-departmental/organisational activities to support patient care pathways and research and maintain clear and concise notes in clinical records and ensure relevant documentations are available
• Ensure that emergency medical drugs and equipment are available before procedures at all times and documented appropriately with the support of the appropriate registered personnel.
• Demonstrate highly technical and/or practical skills to ensure optimum patient care management including complex monitoring, (i.e. BP, BMI, INR) and equipment management and wound care with limited support.
• Utilise and ensure others utilise information and IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient, workforce, and resource data.
• Manage expected and unexpected clinical events requiring high but unpredictable levels of physical effort according to patient dependency/clinical need, referring to a senior member of staff as necessary.
• Undertakes a range of clinical tasks appropriate to band 4 level, some of which may be complex, but always within own competence and under appropriate supervision
• Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
• Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed
• Be accountable to attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required to always ensure 100%.
• To be able to use Datix effectively and appropriately.
• To maintain IR(ME)R regulations, radiation safety, and equipment management understanding legal and ethical issues.
• Participates in audits, quality improvement and risk management processes as required
• To report all complaints, incidents and accidents in line with the Trusts incident and reporting procedure, and participate in clinical audit and research as required
• Promote and monitor adherence to Health and Safety and Trust policy designed to protect healthcare staff and service users from known hazards.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oLevel 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (or equivalent) oGDC Registered Dental Nurse oEvidence of continuous professional development (CPD) oKnowledge of IR(ME)R regulations and radiation safety or willingness to undertake training oCompletion of required departmental competencies oDental Radiography qualification (or working towards)

Desirable

• oOral Health Education qualification (or willingness to undertake)

Experience

Essential

• oExperience in chairside dental nursing across a range of procedures oExperience preparing, decontaminating and maintaining dental instruments and clinical environments oExperience working within infection prevention and control standards oExperience working as part of a multidisciplinary team oExperience supporting patient care in general or hospital dental settings oExperience assisting with radiography (or willing to train) oExperience in maxillofacial, ENT, head & neck or restorative settings

Desirable

• oExperience participating in audits or quality improvement activities oExperience supporting junior staff or students in practice

Knowledge

Essential

• oKnowledge of dental nursing procedures and clinical techniques oUnderstanding of GDC standards and professional code of conduct oKnowledge of infection control, COSHH, and health & safety requirements oAwareness of clinical governance, audits, and risk management processes oUnderstanding of when to escalate clinical or operational concerns

Desirable

• oAwareness of wider NHS systems and service delivery oUnderstanding of quality improvement processes

Skills

Essential

• oCompetent chairside and clinical support skills across a range of procedures oAbility to organise own workload within defined protocols oAbility to work within role boundaries and seek support when required oGood communication and interpersonal skills oAbility to support patient care including observations (e.g. BP, BMI) within competence oAbility to maintain accurate clinical records using IT systems oAbility to contribute to a safe and effective clinical environment oAbility to support junior staff and students in practice under supervision

Desirable

• oAbility to assist with radiography in line with IR(ME)R regulations oAbility to support wound care and basic monitoring within competence oIT literacy in clinical systems (EPR etc.)

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential

• oMust be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's values. (As detailed in UHCW's Values in Action document below) oApplicants applying for job roles with managerial responsibility will be required to demonstrate evidence of promoting equal opportunities through work experience