Job overview
Full time permanent Dental Nurses needed and also looking for Dental Nurses to join our Bank for adhoc shifts.
You will be working in this very busy department providing specialised Orthodontic, Paediatric and Restorative dental care for children and adults.
We require a qualified, enthusiastic, experienced dental nurse with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills who is able to work within a team . Previous orthodontic experience is desirable but not essential. The department is open Monday to Friday and the successful candidate would need to be available to work these days.
We are also looking to recruit bank nurses to work within the department, and to work with our adult services colleagues in the Oral and Maxillo Facial Department at the Royal Sussex County hospital, if this is what you would be interested in please make this clear within your supporting statement on the application form.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be expected to assist the restorative, paediatric dental and orthodontic team in delivering a high quality service.
This will include preparing and assisting in the clinics, as well as giving pre and post-operative instructions and carrying out clinical tasks such as taking dental impressions when required.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical - Out patient
To review all clinic lists/case-notes prior to the start of each outpatient clinic to identify the nature of each appointment and make all necessary preparation to ensure each clinic is delivered professionally and efficiently
To prepare the clinical environment for patient care, ensuring that all equipment in the clinic rooms is functioning correctly, that the rooms are fully stocked, and that all necessary case-notes patient records and appliances are available
To escort patients and parents/guardians/carers from the waiting area to the clinical rooms and welcome them into the clinical environment in a courteous and helpful manner, giving appropriate additional assistance to patients and parents/guardians/carers with disabilities.
To assist the clinician chairside during dental treatment. This includes orthodontic and dental treatment, new patient clinics, joint/ multidisciplinary clinics and dental surgical procedures involving local anaesthesia and sedation.
To identify patients’ dental nursing needs during treatment and provide appropriate care, including effective communication in challenging situations such as treatment of anxious patients and parents, or patients with dental or needle phobias
To provide dental nursing care for paediatric dental patients who have experienced dental trauma, or have complex medical history, and or behavioural special needs
To assist the clinicians by providing chair-side assistance during examination and treatment of patients, anticipating the clinician’s needs and meeting these, thereby providing a high quality service with optimal efficiency
To perform cross-infection control procedures, in accordance with the Trust’s Cross Infection Policies.
To dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste appropriately, in accordance with Trust Waste Disposal policy.
To prepare all impressions and appliances for transfer to our in house orthodontic laboratory. Ensuring the laboratory prescription forms are completed and signed by the clinician and ensure that these are delivered to the laboratory.
To complete patient documentation and records as appropriate.
To ensure that the clinic rooms are cleared appropriately at the end of the clinic, returning notes to the administration team, transferring laboratory work to the laboratory, and restocking the clinic as necessary.
To maintain good communication and liaison with clinical, nursing, office and laboratory staff to ensure that clinics are conducted effectively and efficiently.
To assist in management of Medical Emergencies in accordance with good practice and Trust mandatory training.
To assist with the maintenance of instruments and equipment, in accordance with good practice and national policies.
To assist in monitoring health and safety at work, reporting hazards to the health and safety of patients and staff in accordance with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy.
Clinical – Special Skills
To develop dental radiographs and complete all necessary records relating to radiographs taken in the department, in compliance with department policies and the Ionising Radiation Regulations.
To take dental impressions for the fabrication of study models and orthodontic/ dental appliances. If you are not already trained to take dental impressions, you will be expected to gain the relevant training and qualification to take impressions independently.
To explain specialist orthodontic, paediatric and restorative dentistry procedures to patients and parents/guardians/carers, give post-operative instructions and educate patients in the use and care of their appliances.
To give oral hygiene instruction and dental health advice to patients and carers.
Assisting the restorative consultant in managing complex procedures., and sterile surgical procedures under local anaesthesia, including the placement and restoration of dental implants, bone grafting and complex periodontal surgery.
Clinical – Theatre (Day Case General Anaesthesia List)
To review all operating lists/case-notes prior to the start of each list to identify the nature of the procedures and make all necessary preparations, ensuring that all the necessary materials and instruments are transferred safely to Theatre.
To assist the clinicians by providing dental nursing assistance for all dental procedures undertaken in theatre.
To pack away all instruments and materials at the end of the list and ensure that these are transferred safely back to the department.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person specification
Qualifications/Experience
Essential criteria
National Examining Board Certificate for Dental Nurses or equivalent
Previous work experience as a Dental Nurse
General Dental Council Registration
Desirable criteria
National Examining Board Certificate in Dental Radiography
A Certificate of Competency in Dental Impression Taking
Diploma in Specialist Orthodontic Nursing
Previously worked with children
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.
Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications
