Dental Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support the work undertaken in Bristol Dental School by taking responsibility for the day-to-day operation and full range of dental nurse duties within appropriate areas such as clinics and the Clinical Skills Laboratory. This will include the management of materials and supplies (ordering, stocktaking, storage and issuing) and the maintenance and repair of equipment used for all clinical and teaching activities undertaken within the Dental School. The post holder will ensure that the teaching spaces (clinical, Clinical Skills areas, radiology rooms) are prepared and equipped for teaching and service, and are compliant with relevant Health and Safety and other legislative or policy requirements, including quality assurance.

To provide guidance and training in relevant dental nursing and dental imaging techniques, safe working, and processes (acting as an IRMER operator), and be one of the first points of contact for the day to day running of the radiology spaces within defined areas within building. The post holder will be involved in the delivery of education to varying degrees, delivery of teaching associated with health and safety, infection control, use of dental materials and local induction and support for lecturer delivered sessions.

1.1 Main Statement of Responsibilities

• Maintain databases to provide stock management and track expenditure against relevant budgets.
• Assist with quality assurance of radiology equipment and maintenance of accurate records within defined space.

Customer Services & Support

• On a day-to-day basis, working with the clinical staff providing hands-on support, including preparation of dental bays, clinical simulators and materials prior to and during teaching and training, plus trouble-shooting of issues including with equipment. Providing clinical dental nursing to staff and students as required.

• Proactively support students throughout planned teaching and catch-up sessions.

• Undertake presentations as necessary to students in the use of the clinical skills laboratory, dental chairs, dental x-ray rooms, X-ray processing equipment and associated areas.

• Support with the administration of the defined areas as required.

• Support the teaching and assessment of professionalism.

• Participate in and support students’ objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) and other relevant examinations, admissions and widening participation activity.
• Actively contribute towards clinical audits and research within the clinical areas and where appropriate and required.
• Promote excellent standards by ensuring that patient’s privacy and dignity are implemented and advocating for patients at all times.
• Promote patient feedback and ensure that patients are given the opportunity to do so after every appointment.
• Maintain awareness of new developments and ensure continuous professional development within the role in line with General Dental Council requirements and that of the School.

Planning & Organising

• Plan resource requirements in advance, e.g. facilitating timetabling, ensuring availability of functional equipment, consumables availability including preparation of filling and impression materials; stock control and transportation to meet scheduled teaching activities.

Liaison

• Ensure that appropriate communication is maintained with all staff involved in teaching and clinical care in associated areas.

• Communicate and build effective working relationships across departments within Bristol Dental School.

• Liaise with relevant suppliers over the general maintenance of all items of equipment in the area referring to the manufacturers when necessary.
• Communicate and build working relationships with key contacts from other school/departmental/work units as well as external bodies, to support own work activities.
• Attend departmental meetings to contribute to, and support School work activity.

Decision Making

• Respond independently to queries and use initiative, judgement, and in-depth knowledge to deal with daily unforeseen problems and circumstances seeking guidance when appropriate.

Problem Solving

• Where issues arise, e.g. equipment break down, issues with water, heating etc. the postholder will proactively seek to resolve the issues with Campus Division or other relevant colleagues.

Continuous Improvement

• Maintain up to date knowledge and skills relating to dental procedures including the materials and supplies routinely used.
• Thorough understanding and application of local rules and clinical governance framework, University Health & Safety policies and legislative requirements (including GDPR and Ionising Radiation Regulations); ensuring compliance and setting standards, e.g. safe working, good clinical practices, relevant legal frameworks.
• Contribute towards audit projects and research projects as and when deemed necessary

People Management

• Assist with the supervision and teaching of students, giving task direction where appropriate and required.
• Show Caring skills and techniques towards students and patients.
• Work with clinical colleagues to educate and familiarise them in the use of both radiology and patient management IT systems.

Please note that, in common with all new job descriptions devised for the University’s new Dental School 2022-2023, this job description will be reviewed by discussion between the incumbent and their line manager no later than a year after first appointment, to ensure it remains up-to-date with development in the role as the new facility is established.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Dental Nursing qualification and GDC registered
• Post registration qualification in Dental Radiology or currently working towards one
• Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development

Desirable

• Trained in the Alexander Technique
• Other Post Qualification Certificate e.g.Oral Hygiene
• Evidence of competency based Training e.g. Phlebotomy, Impression taking, Fluoride application, Oral Hygiene instruction

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Essential

• Strong communications skills in dealing with a variety of individuals internal and external to an organisation at varying levels.
• Demonstrate politeness, courtesy, empathy and responsiveness towards patients needs, fellow colleagues and students
• Contribute to sharing good practice within all clinical areas and any associated dental sites where teaching of dental students is delivered.

Desirable

• Experience of communicating, influencing and teaching students radiography and general dentistry.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a dental environment to include imaging techniques
• Understanding of dental materials used clinically
• Breadth of knowledge of the work practices, processes and procedures relevant to the role e.g. infection control, safe clinical working practices, healthy posture.
• Planning and organisational skills, particularly coordinating processes.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Flexible, adaptable approach.
• Take ownership of problems and seek long term solutions.
• Strong IT and computer skills e.g. Microsoft packages, internet explorer, email
• Commitment to patient safety, dental education and to providing a quality service
• Ability to use initiative in service delivery

Desirable

• Worked in a clinical teaching environment
• Experience of purchasing and ordering clinical supplies
• Experience and understanding of managing a budget
• Experience as an Infection Control, Oral Health or Research Link nurse

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.

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 of Bristol

Address

University Of Bristol

Lower Maudlin Street

Bristol

BS1 2LY

Employer's website

https://bristoldentalschooljobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)