Senior Dental Nurse

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Support:

Prepare treatment rooms, ensuring they are fully equipped and set up for various procedures, maintaining strict adherence to infection control protocols.

Provide skilled chairside assistance to Clinicians during examinations, treatments, and minor surgical procedures, anticipating the needs of the Clinician and ensuring patient comfort.

Leadership and Supervision:

Take a proactive role in mentoring, supervising, and training junior dental nursing staff, ensuring they meet and maintain the highest professional and clinical standards.

Allocate tasks and responsibilities to junior staff, ensuring the efficient flow of patients through the practice and optimizing the use of resources.

Patient Care:

Greet patients warmly and professionally, alleviating any anxiety and providing information about procedures, treatment plans, and aftercare.

Assist in educating patients on oral hygiene techniques and post-operative care instructions, ensuring their understanding and compliance.

Infection Control and Health & Safety:

Uphold the highest standards of infection control, ensuring that all protocols are meticulously followed and regularly updated.

Administrative Tasks:

Collaborate with the administrative team to ensure the smooth operation of the department, efficient patient management, and adherence to regulatory requirements.

Collaborate closely with administrative personnel to manage and coordinate patient appointments, ensuring efficient scheduling and minimal patient wait times.

Professional Development:

Demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth by actively participating in continuing professional development (CPD) activities.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Possess a recognized Diploma in Dental Nursing (or equivalent) and maintain current registration with the General Dental Council (GDC).
• Additional qualifications related to dental nursing, leadership, or specialized oral and maxillofacial care.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Substantial experience as a Dental Nurse.
• Proven track record of providing chairside assistance during a diverse range of dental procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and supervising junior dental nursing staff.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in assisting with complex dental procedures, surgeries, and interventions
• Exposure to the unique challenges and requirements of the Oral and Maxillofacial (OMF) specialty.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Sound understanding of NHS policies and procedures, especially as they relate to dental care and patient management.
• Profound knowledge of dental materials, instruments, and equipment used in various dental treatments.

Desirable criteria

• Awareness of current developments and advancements in dental nursing practices and technologies.

Personal Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
• Natural leadership qualities, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment that encourages shared learning and growth.
• Attention to detail, consistently adhering to infection control standards and maintaining clinical cleanliness.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 224.6KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 56.5KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 144.4KB)
• L&D Hospital site map (PDF, 96.8KB)
• Disclosure & Barring Information and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 78.5KB)
• Information for Disabled Applicants (PDF, 98.7KB)