Registered Dental Nurse

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced registered dental nurse to join the existing nursing team within the Head and Neck outpatients department.

You will be working alongside a team of highly skilled dental nurses within the specialities of orthodontics and maxillo-facial.

This is an ideal career opportunity for anyone who is looking to develop their existing skills and competencies in a hospital setting.

We are seeking applications from GDC registered qualified Dental nurses that are up to date with their continuing Professional Development. The applicants must demonstrate a caring and compassionate manner, be confident and well-organised and self-motivated.

The applicants must also have excellent communication skills and work well within a multi-disciplinary team. A working knowledge of a range of dental procedures in the specialist areas of orthodontics and maxillo-facial is desirable.

If you are interested in this post and have initiative and are committed to developing your career in dental nursing we look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to work in the Specialist clinical disciplines of Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and ENT.

To organise the efficient running of new patient and review clinics in Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and assist in ENT Outpatients.

To provide chair side nursing assistance in Orthodontic operative procedures, assist surgeons in Oral and Maxillofacial minor oral surgery operations, and assist in prosthetic and dental procedures in the fields of Orthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, including rehabilitation prosthetics following cancer surgery.

During surgery the Dental Nurse will assist surgeons with specialised procedures, preparing and decontaminating instruments, handling fine tools, providing patients with pre and post-operative care.

To supervise trainee and unqualified staff as required in the department.

To be accountable for own professional actions under General Dental Council guidelines.

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:The dental nurse will assist the surgeon with specialised programmes of care i.e. surgical and non-surgical interventions. The dental nurse will be responsible for preparing the clinic and the necessary instrumentation for specialised procedures without direct supervision. The dental nurse will also be responsible for:

1. Requesting necessary laboratory tests as per clinical protocol.
2. Providing patient information and advice for their specific clinical procedure.
3. Application of prescribed dressings by clinician.
4. Preparation of intra- and extra-oral dressing packs.
5. Preparation silicone impression material for obturator patients.
6. Instructing Oral hygiene and dietary advice to patients and carers.
7. To undertake daily duties without direct supervision with Registered General Nurse available for advice as necessary.
8. Freedom to organise own workload within the confines of allocated routine daily clinic schedules.
9. To anticipate events during patients treatments and prepare instruments and materials as appropriate and to ensure safe and effective clinical practice.

Administrative Responsibilities:Preparation of daily clinics by providing the necessary instrumentation, materials, equipment, pathology reports, laboratory work, radiographs and scans to ensure that a seamless service is provided to the patient. To maintain records within clinics. Collating, filing and storage of patient study model boxes and patient photographs. Completion of clinic coding for the department and the Trust. Giving clinical advice regarding patient enquiries in person and by telephone. Write and develop local clinical practices and procedures for Maxillofacial and Orthodontics. To participate in the development of information leaflets for the department. Co-ordinate packages of care for patients with departmental technical staff. To monitor and maintain stock levels within the department and liaise with the senior sister outpatients Manager for authorisation.

Technical Responsibilities:To comply with local, trust and national policies and procedures. To disassemble and clean specialised dental units. To be able perform basic maintenance and simple fault finding on specialist equipment.

Research and Development Responsibilities:Participates in departmental audit as necessary relevant to own work. E.G hand washing etc. Attending courses and conferences for the purposes of personal development.

Communication and Relationships:Liaise with a wide range of specialities outside of the Trust including Medical and Dental practitioners other Trusts and Agencies, for patient treatments/appointments etc. Communication with patients and carers who may have barriers to understanding e.g. children, learning disabilities, chaperoned prisoners, dental phobic patients, patients in pain and distress and patients where English is not a first language. To enhance the patients experience during their care and treatment within the clinical setting.

Physical, Mental and Emotional Demands:The post holder can be subject to emotional and stressful situations in offering support to patients and their relatives with the following:

1. Reassuring and providing simple care instructions following a range of complex clinical procedures.
2. Support anxious or upset patients or carers.
3. Offering support to nervous or confused patients.
4. Offering support to children and teenagers.
5. Offering support to patients with congenital facial deformities and disfigurements following trauma injuries or facial surgery.
6. Dealing with people who are verbally aggressive.

Mental demands:Handling and passing very small components during specialist procedures. Working with speed, accuracy and dexterity. Multi-tasking during high levels of clinical activity. Changing priorities quickly and effectively to deal with urgent situations.

Education:To demonstrate work of Dental Nurse to General Nurse Students. Assisting in the training and development of new staff members.

Person Specification

Qualification

• National Dental Nurse Certificate or NVQ LEVEL 3 IN Oral Care
• Oral Health Education Diploma or Equivalent
• Registered GDC

Skills

• Knowledge of range of dental procedures in specialist areas of maxillo-facial and orthodontics
• Manual Dexterity
• Sound knowledge of decontamination and sterilisation

Experience

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.