Senior Dental Technician (Restorative)

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our UHBW Dental Production Laboratories for a forward-thinking Senior Dental Technician to work with our Restorative (Crown and Bridge) Laboratory team at Bristol Dental Hospital.

The post holder is responsible for the design, planning and construction of an extensive range of highly complex custom-made functional, fixed and removable dental/oro-facial appliances within one of the specialist dental technology departments within the Bristol Dental Hospital - Production Laboratories service, comprising Conservation, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

The post holder will be expected to take on a leading role in the expansion of digital workflows, develop new skills in line with experience, new practices, qualifications and will also have a commitment to continuing professional development.

Applications are invited from Dental Technicians who are fully registered with the General Dental Council and hold a recognised academic qualification in dental technology. We encourage applications from dental technicians whether your experience and background is based in a commercial dental laboratory or NHS hospital setting.

This is an exciting time to join the team at Bristol Dental Hospital, as we embark on a journey of modernisation, which has seen recent investment in state-of-the-art digital planning software and 3D printing technology.

Main duties of the job

• To construct an extensive range of highly complex, specialised custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances.
• To utilise CAD/CAM technology to design and manufacture highly complex fixed and removable appliances.
• Collaborate directly with clinicians and patients to provide technical advice, discuss case requirements and develop innovative appliances and custom solutions to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provide cover and assist the Chief Dental Technician (Laboratory Manager) in all areas that may be required, including prioritisation and organisation of workload.
• To be responsible for the supervision of any Technicians that may be recruited and any students that may be allocated to the department.
• To assist with rostering, off duty periods and holiday cover to ensure smooth running of the Laboratory.
• Participate in the development and implementation of laboratory policies.
• Carry out basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Order stock on the Trust system.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records for audit purposes and compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulation.
• Assist with research projects, surveys & audits of the service as required.
• Regularly required to maintain prolonged concentration throughout the fabrication of appliances and models.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons)/BTEC Diploma/HNC in Dental Technology or equivalent. (E)
• Registration with the General Dental Council as Dental Technician.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in the design and production of highly complex, specialised custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances.
• A broad theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of specialised technical procedures within appropriate discipline.
• Thorough knowledge of the application of computer aided design & computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques relevant to associated dental technology.
• Understanding the varied nature of the materials, various acrylics, silicone materials and metals and how they work together.
• Experience of training/assisting junior staff/students.
• Knowledge and awareness of UK Medical Devices Regulation.
• Experience of presenting cases to other dental professionals.
• Experience in a hospital environment, treating a range of challenging cases to a very high standard.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to analyse complex treatment plans, interpret detailed laboratory prescriptions and devise appropriate solutions, including the design and fabrication of new dental appliances.
• Prolonged computer use requiring keyboard skills for word processing.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians to manage non-routine aspects of appliance fabrication.
• Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances when occasionally dealing with patients with oro-facial abnormalities or terminal illness.
• Willingness to work within a team.
• Self-motivated.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• To have excellent communication skills both orally and written.
• Able to develop or suggest improvements within the team.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills/appliance types and designs and to follow suitable pathways of continuous professional development.
• Values and respects others, treats everyone as an individual, non-judgemental.

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.