Chief Maxillo-Facial Prosthetist (XR07)

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Chief Maxillofacial Prosthetist / Reconstructive Scientist

Reports to: Dental Technical Services Manager, LDI

Band: 7

Unit/Department: Dental Production Laboratory

AfC Job No: 852b

2. JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

To provide specialist clinical technical services to patients (predominantly in the context of cranio-maxillofacial prosthetics, palliative care for head and neck cancer patients and patients with severe disfigurements), designing and producing custom-made facial and body prostheses for their rehabilitation, and providing instructions, advice and encouragement in the use and care of appliances including the application of tissue conditioners adhesives and cleansers.

To provide specialist clinical technical services (in a clinical setting, and occasionally within an operating theatre) by taking impressions of patients body cavities or voids which may also necessitate prior cleansing of surgical sites and subsequent dressing of wounds.

To work collaboratively with other clinical and technical staff in the provision of specialist clinical technical services, in particular the design and manufacture of;

o Maxillofacial prosthetics (adhesive and implant retained)

o Obturation supporting facial prostheses

o Nipple Prostheses

o Nasal cavity stents

o Surgical cutting guides, implantable devices

To perform highly complex, specialised work as required and providing advice and information to clinicians in respect of the design, function, fit and colour match of dental or surgical appliances.

To work collaboratively with the 3D surgical planning and imaging service based at Leeds Dental Institute for the benefit of surgical specialities primarily within Leeds Teaching Hospitals, but potentially expanding the service beyond the Trust.

Make a contribution in the current and future provision of digital surgical planning including using complex surgical planning software in the digital design and manufacture of anatomical models, surgical cutting guides, implantable or wearable bespoke medical devices.

Provide occasional ad-hoc teaching support to the School of Dental Technology and also dental undergraduate and post graduate courses at the LDI, commensurate to the expertise and experience of the post holder.

Provide technical support to clinical academic staff in occasional clinical research projects

To maintain appropriate stocks of materials used within the Maxillo facial technical speciality, ordering goods as required, ensuring that they are appropriate for the purpose and best value.

The post holder will hold a regular (typically weekly) prosthetics clinic, providing ears, noses, orbital prostheses and indwelling artificial eyes for cancer and trauma patients. This may involve taking complex facial impressions in the clinic or operating theatre. Current service provision is approximately 10 - 15 facial prostheses per year some of which will be implant retained. Patients will require an average of 5 clinical visits. Prosthetics clinic may occasionally include the provision of nipple areola prostheses for patients referred from breast or plastic surgery who have undergone mastectomies. Approximately 5-10 patients are referred annually, requiring 2 clinical visits each and are usually provided with 2 prostheses each.

To carry out a range of invasive procedures in the clinic or operating theatre including impression taking, fitting prosthetic abutments to implant fixtures, cleaning surgical sites and around implants and dressing wounds. Also includes the application of tissue conditioners, adhesives and cleansers and testing for tissue reaction.

To undertake as required a broad range of laboratory based technical work in addition to the above. This could include for example: manufacturing splints, keloid splints, eyelid weights.

3. ORGANISATIONAL CHART

Dental Technical Services Manager

Chief Dental Technicians (3), & Chief M/Fac Prosthetist (1)

Senior Dental Technicians(10)

Dental Technicians (7)

Admin Co-ordinator(1)

Receptionist(1)

Domestic Assistant(2)

4. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

To provide a comprehensive maxillo-facial service within the laboratory and on clinic to major specialised services within the Trust, frequently performing highly complex, specialised work as required and providing advice and information to patients and clinical staff in respect of the design, function, fit, colour match and instructions for use of dental or surgical appliances.

To organise and be responsible for own clinical sessions taking patient referrals from consultant surgeons in various specialities and arranging patient lists, recalls and treatment plans and often involving liaison with other members of the clinical teams. This includes a weekly Facial Prosthesis clinic, and an occasional Paediatric Cranio-facial clinic.

To communicate complex, sensitive information in respect of the patients treatment and their prosthesis to patients and carers, entering details into the patients medical records and producing letters and reports to patients and other clinical staff.

To provide occasional teaching support to the school of Dental Technology, Dental School undergraduates and dental Postgraduates as required by the Technical Services Manager and Principal Tutor Technician, and commensurate to the expertise and experience of the post holder.

Organise own work schedule to ensure all allocated work is completed in advance of agreed deadlines / appointments.

Represent the Maxillo-Facial Laboratory at appropriate meetings as required

To support the Dental Technical Services Manager in the development and implementation of policies and services throughout the dental laboratory

To maintain materials stocks for the Maxillo-Facial laboratory

To monitor and record Maxillo-Facial laboratory activity / productivity and provide relevant, timely and accurate information / data as required by the Dental Technical Services Manager

Ensure the equipment used by the Maxillo-Facial laboratory is in safe working order, by reporting defects to the Technical Services Manager and / or LDI Workshop and by undertaking routine cleaning and maintenance of laboratory equipment according to manufacturers guidelines and local policies.

To ensure compliance with the Medical Devices Regulations (MDR) within the Maxillo-Facial Laboratory, ensuring appropriate quality records are kept and procedures adhered to.

Ensure Health and safety standards are maintained both in the clinical environment and within the Maxillo-Facial laboratory, where technical staff use a range of potentially hazardous materials and equipment and may encounter highly unpleasant fumes and body fluids. Examples may include acids, acrylates and solvents.

To ensure that all technical work produced by the Maxillo-Facial laboratory is of the highest standard.

To assist the Dental Technical Services Manager to investigate and act upon complaints regarding technical work.

To participate in clinical audit / clinical governance.

Support the Dental Technical Services Manager in the recruitment of technical staff as required, participating in interviews and the appointment process.

To contribute to the planning, development and provision of Maxillo-Facial technical services to the relevant clinical departments, in liaison with clinical and technical staff.

Where appropriate, to support and work with the Dental Technical Services Manager in achieving their objectives.

Contribute to or participate in research activity as appropriate, including the development or refinement of appliance designs or production procedures.

Occasional testing and evaluation of new materials, equipment and techniques for use in the laboratory.

To support the Dental Technical Services Manager and designated laboratory clerical officer in the maintenance of records of work allocation on the computerised dental laboratory management information system

To undertake appropriate training and participate in regular appraisals to:

o maintain and develop skills and knowledge necessary for the job

o ensure that all statutory requirements in respect of Continuing Professional Development are satisfied.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Additional Duties and responsibilities

To maintain and develop the following areas of clinical and technical cranio-maxillo facial work:

o Orbital & indwelling eye prostheses, other facial prostheses e.g. ear, nose.

o Nipple prostheses, Nasal cavity stents, Keloid splints

o Potential collaborative working with the 3D surgical planning service

o Digital design and manufacture of anatomical models, surgical cutting guides, implantable or wearable bespoke medical devices.

5. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally, the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

The post holder will be required to develop and maintain good working relationships with all staff and students, providing a professional, efficient and effective service to all customers of the Dental Laboratories. They will set and strive to maintain standards of excellence in clinical practice ensuring a high standard of patient care, operating within professional codes of practice and the guidelines of any relevant professional bodies

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant relevant experience and highly specialised knowledge of a wide range of technical procedures in Maxillo-Facial Technology
• Competent in the production of a broad range of appliances within Maxillo facial technology.
• Experience of working with patients in a clinical environment

Desirable

• Experience of producing and fitting facial prostheses, obturators, (including with osseo-integrated implants), Orbital- prostheses and nipple prostheses, Nasal cavity stents, Keloid splints
• Experience and good understanding of specialist 3D surgical planning software - for implant placement, reconstructive surgery etc. and knowledge of 3D manufacturing techniques within a medical and den

Qualifications

Essential

• Entry level Dental Technology qualification (OND / HND / BSc) with current GDC registration
• Post-graduate level Maxillo-facial Technology Qualification; MSc in Reconstructive Science / Craniofacial Technology or recognised equivalent historical Advanced qualification/s in Maxillo- facial Tec

Desirable

• Masters Degree

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Good organisational skills, self-motivation, ability to work under pressure, to prioritise work and to work to deadlines. Good inter-personal skills / communication Skills
• Attention to detail, Commitment to quality, ability to maintain prolonged or intense concentration, High level of manual dexterity. Application of knowledge and innovation

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

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds Dental Institute

Clarendon Way

Leeds

LS2 9LU

Employer's website

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