Specialised Dental Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Report departmental issuesAttend regular staff meetingsDevelop good communications. Fair and clear relationships with staff cross the multi-disciplinary teamCommunicate with all grades of staff regarding patient care. To provide and receive complex or sensitive information relating to planned or received treatmentLiaise between clinician, technician, patient and external agencies to arrange appropriate appointmentsEffectively communicate with patients and relatives. Deliver information in a way that is easily understood e.g. delivering pre and postoperative instructions and advice. This is essential where there are barriers to communication e.g. patients whose first language is not English, nervous, aggressive or poorly patients, patients with language or learning difficulties or disabilities. In these cases, further liaison with the translation services, parents or carers are imperativeProvide reassurance and show empathy to patients in situations which are frequently stressful

Motivate patients to ensure compliance with complex and frequently lengthy courses of treatmentExplain dental procedures to patients and answer any queries the patients may have regarding their treatmentReceive information regarding patients conditions always ensuring confidentiality

Participate in the development and maintenance of programmes of care in line with Policies and ProceduresProvide a continuing high standard of nursing care through direct clinical practice in relation to the groups of patients cared for by the departmentThe post holder must hold the national certificate in dental nursing or equivalent NVQ3 in dental nursing and be registered with the GDCIn line with Trust policies further training in conflict and resolution, fire safety, basic life support, Safeguarding, Oliver McGowan, manual handling, infection control, health and safety, risk assessment and COSHH is undertakenAchieve the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) requirements of the postBe prepared to undertake any formal or informal training required tofulfil the needs of the post, this includes self study

Act as a resource to other areas providing education and advice relevant to the speciality as requiredKeep abreast of clinical developmentTake every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competenceParticipate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development planTo actively participate in the education, training and assessing of all members of the nursing team, visiting students, patients and their carersUnder the supervision of the Clinic Manager assist in the development of enhanced/advanced nursing specific to the speciality, developing own clinical skills as necessary

Analytical & Judgemental SkillsAnticipate the needs of members of staff and prepare all surgeries and instruments appropriately for complex dental proceduresMonitored patients' throughout their visit, observed for any changes, and respond to medical emergenciesAnalyse the working area regarding the security of the equipment stored there and assess if extra precautions are neededUse their own judgment regarding health and safety to assess the working area and report any hazards immediatelyDiagnose equipment faults and liaise with engineering staff to ensure that repairs are undertaken quickly. Contingency arrangements must be made immediately to ensure that patient treatment can proceed as plannedUnderstand the principles and importance of quality control and quality assurance and the use of appropriate measures

Planning & Organisational Skills

Manage own day-to-day activities such as planning and organising clinics, joint appointments with other departments and hospitalsPlan and organising multi-disciplinary activities with other professions and agenciesManage busy clinics, liaise with patients and staff and communicate any delaysLiaise with the laboratory regarding timescales for appliances to becompleted. Arrangepatient appointments accordinglyPlan in advance to ensure all results, medical records and instruments required are available for each sessionMaintain adequate supplies, ensuring their efficient and effective useCheck clinics at the beginning of each session so that stock levels of materials and equipment are maintainedEnsure all equipment is in safe working order and regularly checked and maintained

Physical Skills

Manipulate a wide range of dental materialsHandle, transfer, assemble and dismantle all types of dental equipment during patients treatment. This may be in a close support environment, which will require long periods sitting or standing in a confined position while assisting at chair-sidePrepare surgical instrument kits and equipment using an aseptic techniqueDevelop physical skills over a period of time and through relevant experience e.g. the use of some fine tools and dental equipmentOn occasions assist surgeons in theatre for general anaesthetic patients. Demands lengthy times of concentration, standing and static and precise instrument placementsAdvanced skills are required for sensory hand eye coordination when assisting during fourhanded dentistry as this involves the safe exchange and handling of dental instrumentsBe required to manoeuvre patients in confined spaces using wheelchairs, trolleys and hoists

Responsibility for Patient Care

Clinical verbal advice to patients, carers/relatives, i.e. pre/post-operative instructions. These require personalisation for each patient's unique situation/conditionContinuous monitoring of patients throughout their dental treatment, and afterwards where appropriate, e.g. difficult proceduresCare and reassurance to the patients during treatment, ensuring they are comfortable and informed throughoutManage medical and physical conditions of patients if kept in the department for an unexpected length of timeClinical advice to patients/carers/relatives either in person or, over the telephone . They will also be available to answer patient's questions regarding their treatment/care plan.Educating patient/carers, for example in oral health and teaching and offering advice regarding patient specific symptoms i.e. management of TMJResponsible for organising patient appointments, where necessary liaise with wards and other departments to ensure good quality patient care. Ensure patients are safely and appropriately discharged and the clinical areas are secured, including the safe storage of emergency drugsWork at both Trust sites where necessary to provide a continued and improved service provision to patientAdhere to all Trust policies e.g. cross infection control, risk assessments, health and safety, data security & protection COSHH, reporting accidents/incidents etc. The post holder may be asked to contribute to hospital polices when necessaryObserve the hospital Control of Infection policy and follow strict guidelines regarding sterilisation of instruments and equipment. Dealing with decontamination, waste and spillages correctly according to C.O.S.H.H regulationsUnderstand the need to ensure physical, and radiation protection of all individuals in the immediate work environment at all times. Following IRMER, IRR regulationsFollow agreed Trust policies and attend training sessions as required regarding manual handling fire safety, safeguarding, basic life support etcProvide written information for patients and carers in line with Trust policiesIn conjunction with the clinic manager and clinical team work to ensure that guidelines of clinical practice and standards of care are developed, implemented and audited to maintain the highest standardParticipate in and contribute to the effective implementation of clinic risk management within all clinic areas

Person Specification

Proffesional registration

Essential

• GDC registration

Qualification

Essential

• Certificate in Dental Nursing

Desirable

• Dental Radiography Certificate
• Certificate in Oral Health Education
• Orthodontic Nursing Certificate
• Dental Sedation Nursing Certificate

Experience

Essential

• Relevant dental or hospital, community experience as a dental nurse

Desirable

• Understanding of policies and procedures
• Knowledge of hospital / practice computer system

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of confidentiality / Data Protection Act
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to prioritise appropriately and work with minimal supervision

Desirable

• Computer literate

Aptitudes

Essential

• Can demonstrate self motivation
• Flexible with working hours

Other Job Requirements

Essential

• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Ability to adapt to change
• Flexibility to travel between Trust sites

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

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital North Midlands

Newcastle Road

Stoke on Trent

ST4 6QG

Employer's website

https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)