Registered Dental Nurse

Job responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

To have the knowledge and skills to undertake a range of non-routine procedures in both specialities.

To prepare, set up and work independently and manage relevant clinic rooms, provide all relevant medical records, letters, reports, radiographs and study models.

To decontaminate and prepare clinical areas between patients, and to maintain high levels of cross infection.

Prepare and mix dental materials on request.

Undertake scrub nurse duties to operative/clinician to include retraction and aspiration of surgical operation site ensuring that the appropriate nursing care is maintained.

To maintain aseptic conditions in Maxillofacial procedures.

Frequently exposed to highly unpleasant working conditions. i.e. bodily fluids, mouth odours.

Undertake suture removal under the supervision of the clinician.

Using knowledge and skills to recognise the onset of potential medical emergencies.

To assist Orthodontic Consultant and clinicians during treatment of Fixed and removable orthodontic appliances.

To have a good knowledge in the use of specialised equipment, assembly, disassembly and maintenance and be competent in their use.

To assist in any procedure/examination and investigation, ensuring pre and post-operative advice and instructions to the understanding of the patient.

May sell dental products, handle cash and valuables. Issues receipts for all transactions.

The post holder may/ will be required to frequently sit or stand in a restricted position whilst assisting.

To have a full car licence to enable attendance at all hospital sites.

Measurable Result Areas

Keyboard and computer skills to access relevant information, used as part of the daily running of the clinic i.e. study model data base and results reporting.

Follows clinic policies, and implements policies to comply with legislation and contribute to policy development.

Accurate record keeping in patients notes when scribing for doctors. Additional record keeping for the administration of drugs and specimens sent for histology.

Orders stock and maintains stock levels.

To keep accurate records and ensure the security of drugs within the department.

Collecting data for clinical audit and outpatient audit.

Occasionally participates in Research and development clinical trials and equipment testing.

To work on own initiative, with supervisor or manager available for reference.

Communications and Working Relationships

Dealing with patient queries by telephone or in person using knowledge, initiative and experience to be able to assess the action required to deal with the situation.

Will be required to maintain concentration to be adaptable to unscheduled change and ability to multi task throughout the clinic and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The post holder must maintain patient confidentiality at all times and will be occasionally/frequently exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances.

To have excellent communication skills both with patients and staff, to be reassuring, understanding with good listening skills. To use tact and persuasion when required enabling procedures to be carried out effectively.

To provide flexible working to help maintain the service needs of the department, and be adaptable to changes within the department.

The post holder will be required to liaise with members of staff to include Consultants, Reception, Oral Surgery & Orthodontic Laboratory, Medical Records, Path lab, Radiology and other areas.

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Registration
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent training
• IT Skills
• Basic Life Support Fire/Handling
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development
• Willingness to undertake further training in specialised area

Experience

Essential

• Post examination experience in general Dental Nursing to diploma equivalent level

Desirable

• Some practical evidence of experience working in specialised areas. Maxillofacial Surgery & Orthodontics

Skills

Essential

• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-based practice
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills-empathic, caring and organisational
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and written
• Demonstrates in depth understanding and theoretical knowledge of specialities
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Provide and receive sensitive information requiring tact and persuasion
• To recognise when to escalate concerns to senior members of staff
• To manage own time, clinics and workload effectively

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Able to work as an effective team member
• Shows initiative, be able to think positively
• Reliable, Responsible, Conscientious
• Compassionate and Caring
• Recognises own limitations
• Able to express oneself clearly and confidently
• Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances
• Able to manage personal time effectively

Other

Essential

• Presentable
• Flexibility
• Frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions, bodily fluids, Ulcers, Mouth Odour
• Frequent requirement for sitting/standing in restricted positions
• Car driver and has access to a vehicle

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).