Job summary
An
exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Senior Dental Nurse (responsible
for approx. 45 Apprentice Dental Nurses) to join the current team in within
the Leeds Dental Institute and outreach sites.
We
are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Registered Dental Nurse who is looking
to broaden their responsibilities in a clinical and managerial role leading
our team of Apprentice Dental Nurses supporting the delivery of patient care.
As
a Senior Dental Nurse you will be required to act as a role model for the
dental team and be responsible for delivering exceptional standards of safe,
effective care; monitoring and maintaining care to ensure that it
consistently meets Trust standards.
Senior
Dental Nurses work as a highly valued member of the dental team and
applicants should be enthusiastic, professional and well-motivated team
players whilst also being able to work on their own initiative.
Further
professional development is strongly encouraged. There will be opportunities
for continuing professional development linked to a personal development
plan.
Applicants
must hold a level 3 Dental Nurse qualification or equivalent
National/Hospital Certificate in Dental Nursing and be registered with the
General Dental Council. A post qualification certificate or additional
competencies are desirable.
The
post is fulltime 37.5 hours. Job Share would be considered.
Working
hours - Monday-Friday - 8.30am - 5pm.
Main duties of the job
The
Senior Dental Nurse is responsible for day to day management of all
Apprentice Dental Nurses within the clinical departments ensuring that
staffing ratios are maintained.
Responsible
for all annual appraisals of Apprentice Dental Nurses within the departments.
The
post holder is expected to have excellent communication, organisational and
interpersonal skills and must be able to work as part of a team or
independently.
The
post involves supporting and providing chair side assistance to the
multidisciplinary dental team, including dental undergraduate and
postgraduate students in busy clinical areas within various departments of
the Leeds Dental Institute and outreach sites.
Assists
with recruitment and selection of new staff taking part in interviews with
Dental Nurse Manager.
Liaises
with Tutors regarding Apprentice Dental Nurses and manages the clinical
teaching of apprentices within the department.
Responsible
for rotas to ensure that dental nurse / staff / apprentice ratios are
maintained.
Handles
complaints from patients/members of the public initially (both direct or
phone) and reports back to management regarding written complaints received
by Trust.
Assists
in the implementing of new working practices and policies as they arise.
Supports
the education and induction of the whole dental team.
For
further information, please see the attached trust job description and person
specification for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
About us
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK and
employs more than 20,000 staff across seven hospitals on six sites.
Leeds
Dental Institute is a teaching hospital hosting over 80,000 patient episodes
per year and provides training and education for all members of the Dental
Team.
In
2018 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our service as 'Outstanding'.
Interested
individuals can look forward to the challenges that a position working as a
Dental Nurse in one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK will bring.
Rewards
and benefits
Generous
annual leave entitlement with 27 days plus Bank Holidays for new staff
NHS
Pension Scheme
Development
opportunities, including both professional and leadership development
Friendly,
supportive and caring colleagues
Support
for Parents and Carers
A
variety of other staff resources and benefits including employee assistance
programme, discount gym membership, car scheme
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Expected Shortlisting
Date
30/06/2025
Planned Interview
Date
07/07/2025
Role:
Senior Dental Nurse Grade (responsible for Apprentice Dental Nurses): Band 5
Reports
to: Lead Dental Nurse/Head of Dental Nursing
JOB
PURPOSE/SUMMARY
To
directly manage the Apprentice Dental Nurses in the department and outreach
sites to ensure the efficient and effective provision of dental nursing
support to practising clinical staff.
Responsible
for employment of Apprentice Dental Nurses including rota, attendance,
appraisals and recruitment.
Takes
part in clinical care of patients in the department, assisting the dental
team in clinic or surgery working as required, manages care and wellbeing of
patient until discharge (including out of hours transport patients).
Manages
the flow of patients and chair usage according to workload and ensures
patient comfort and consideration until discharge, using resources as
available of both staff and equipment.
Manages
the preparation of clinical areas ensuring high standards of cleanliness
within the department and working to hospital Infection Control policy
Supervises
and supports departmental Qualified Dental Nurses and Apprentice Dental
Nurses.
Prepare
for and assist (closely support) clinicians, dental students and postgraduate
students with care, treatment and management of patients with general and
complex dental treatment.
Communicate
with members of the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate continuity of care
and promote effective team working.
Assist
with the teaching and supervision of learners and other staff.
Respect
the dignity and confidentiality of patients.
Maintain
a high standard of work and professionalism.
Take
responsibility for own personal development and complete all mandatory
training required for the role.
All
staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and
improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust Policies including undertaking relevant audits.
The
post holder must have knowledge of Infection Prevention and Health and Safety
procedures.
For
more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please
refer to the attached Job Description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Expected Shortlisting
Date
30/06/2025
Planned Interview
Date
07/07/2025
Role:
Senior Dental Nurse Grade (responsible for Apprentice Dental Nurses): Band 5
Reports
to: Lead Dental Nurse/Head of Dental Nursing
JOB
PURPOSE/SUMMARY
To
directly manage the Apprentice Dental Nurses in the department and outreach
sites to ensure the efficient and effective provision of dental nursing
support to practising clinical staff.
Responsible
for employment of Apprentice Dental Nurses including rota, attendance,
appraisals and recruitment.
Takes
part in clinical care of patients in the department, assisting the dental
team in clinic or surgery working as required, manages care and wellbeing of
patient until discharge (including out of hours transport patients).
Manages
the flow of patients and chair usage according to workload and ensures
patient comfort and consideration until discharge, using resources as
available of both staff and equipment.
Manages
the preparation of clinical areas ensuring high standards of cleanliness
within the department and working to hospital Infection Control policy
Supervises
and supports departmental Qualified Dental Nurses and Apprentice Dental
Nurses.
Prepare
for and assist (closely support) clinicians, dental students and postgraduate
students with care, treatment and management of patients with general and
complex dental treatment.
Communicate
with members of the multi-disciplinary team to facilitate continuity of care
and promote effective team working.
Assist
with the teaching and supervision of learners and other staff.
Respect
the dignity and confidentiality of patients.
Maintain
a high standard of work and professionalism.
Take
responsibility for own personal development and complete all mandatory
training required for the role.
All
staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain and
improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all times with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust Policies including undertaking relevant audits.
The
post holder must have knowledge of Infection Prevention and Health and Safety
procedures.
For
more information regarding the main responsibilities of the role, please
refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Skills and Behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
- Able to deal with problems quickly and efficiently
- Evidence of leadership skills
- Ability to work under pressure and be flexible to needs of the service
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- Able to act professionally at all times
- Able to deliver an excellent standard of care
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Skills in patient advocacy
- IT skills
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate management skills to support team members and staff training
- Able to work flexibly
Other Criteria
Essential
- Awareness of infection prevention and control procedures
- Awareness of decontamination procedures
- Awareness of information governance procedures
- Awareness of Health & Safety procedures
- Please add any other comments or evidence relevant to this post
Qualifications
Essential
- Must possess either: National certificate for Dental Nurses, NVQ level 3 Dental Nurse or Hospital Certificate
- Dental Nurse registration with the General Dental Council
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Maths and English GCSE A-C or 4-9 or equivalent
Desirable
- Post qualification certificate i.e. Radiography, Oral Health, Sedation
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of all dental procedures
- Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse
- Experience of managing clinical resource and flow of patients
Desirable
- Management/supervisory skills
- Knowledge of Infection Prevention / Health and Safety in the workplace
- Experience of working in a dental specialty i.e. Implants Sedation, Orthodontics, Oral Health
- Experience of ordering and stock control
- Experience of budget control
- Knowledge of clinical audit
- Computer literate
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance
Person Specification
Skills and Behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
- Able to deal with problems quickly and efficiently
- Evidence of leadership skills
- Ability to work under pressure and be flexible to needs of the service
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- Able to act professionally at all times
- Able to deliver an excellent standard of care
- Excellent written and verbal skills
- Skills in patient advocacy
- IT skills
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate management skills to support team members and staff training
- Able to work flexibly
Other Criteria
Essential
- Awareness of infection prevention and control procedures
- Awareness of decontamination procedures
- Awareness of information governance procedures
- Awareness of Health & Safety procedures
- Please add any other comments or evidence relevant to this post
Qualifications
Essential
- Must possess either: National certificate for Dental Nurses, NVQ level 3 Dental Nurse or Hospital Certificate
- Dental Nurse registration with the General Dental Council
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Maths and English GCSE A-C or 4-9 or equivalent
Desirable
- Post qualification certificate i.e. Radiography, Oral Health, Sedation
Experience
Essential
- Knowledge of all dental procedures
- Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse
- Experience of managing clinical resource and flow of patients
Desirable
- Management/supervisory skills
- Knowledge of Infection Prevention / Health and Safety in the workplace
- Experience of working in a dental specialty i.e. Implants Sedation, Orthodontics, Oral Health
- Experience of ordering and stock control
- Experience of budget control
- Knowledge of clinical audit
- Computer literate
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance
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).
