Dental Nurse - Developmental role

Job summary

37.5 hours per week.

Are you a qualified dental nurse, but wanting to develop?

Have you commenced with, or interested in undertaking a qualification in conscious sedation?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time development dental nurse position within Plymouth Community Dental Service. The post holder will either be in the process of or be willing to undertake NEBDN conscious sedation training at the next possible convenience.

This post be primarily work with urgent care and routine child patients, support with sessions under general anesthesia at UHP as well as opportunities to work with dentists undertaking conscious sedation as part of this training role.

On successful completion of the sedation qualification within 12 months of commencement and no performance concerns, this post will then convert to a permanent Band 5 Special Care Dental Nurse position within the service.

Applications are welcomed from experienced & qualified registered dental nurses to join our community dental service, delivering a high level of general & specialised dental services to patients from Plymouth & the surrounding area.

If you have the necessary qualifications, experience & enthusiasm to join our dedicated team, we would like to hear from you.

For an informal discussion please contact Katie Nicholls - Dental Nurse Manager on 01752 434657.

Main duties of the job

The post holder works with Dental Operators, working mainly with patients in pain who require emergency care and routine children. This will also include supporting general anaesthetic sessions at UHP.

The post holder will assist all dental operators in all chair side assisting and clinical procedures, to support and care for patients and manage a surgery and complete all the relevant clinical and administrative tasks.

This is a developmental position which will support / provide the post holder to undertake full dental nurse sedation training at the earliest convenience. On successful completion of this training within the 12-month timeframe and fulfilling all probation requirements this post will then convert into a Band 5 Special Care Dental Nurse.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Date posted

17 December 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2024-D20-2

Job locations

200 Mount Gould Road

Mount Gould

Plymouth

Devon

PL4 7PY

The Dental Access Centre

Baring Street

Plymouth

PL4 8NF

Scott Dental Access Centre - Scott Business Park

Beacon Park Road

Plymouth

PL2 2PQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties

Works with the dental operator providing emergency / routine child patient care including clinical procedures and chair side assistingSupports the needs of patients, carers and clinicians and be able to deal with them promptly and efficiently.Works with all dental equipment including sharp and fine instruments.Provides advice for patients/carers/families about dental procedures including pre and post-operative advice, management of complications and pain control. Prepares the clinical environment prior to clinical sessions and closes down at the end of clinical sessions, following the service cross infection and decontamination protocolsChecks surgery equipment and reports any faultsRecords clinical observations,Ensures routine and emergency equipment is checked and available i.e. oxygen cylinders and masks, defibrillator.Decontaminates equipment, instruments following cross infection proceduresPrepares the surgery for the patient using knowledge and experience to select the appropriate equipment, materials and instruments.Develops x-rays using digital equipmentAfter relevant training maybe required to take x-raysRequired to work at different locations to meet the needs of the Service, when required, including General Anaesthesia sessions at UHP Continue with or commence full dental nurse sedation training. To support with this training, the post holder under supervision will work with dentists treating patients under conscious sedation.Triage of urgent care patients to assess the urgency of treatment and determine thecorrect booking and then book appointments including outlying clinics.Undertakes specific duties delegated by Dental Operators and Plymouth Community Dental Services Ltd Managers.Follows policies determined by others, including NHS England, the British Dental Association (including the Cross Infection guidelines), the General Dental Council, COSHH, RIDDOR and HASAWA, DOM HTM 01-05.

Training and Knowledge

Registered, as a Dental Nurse, with the GDC.

Undertake full dental nurse sedation training and complete within 12 months of commencement. This will include some study at home.

Thorough knowledge of dental procedures gained through a minimum of 2 years post-qualification training and experience.

Thorough knowledge of routine dental procedures and equipment gained through in-house training and experience including specialised areas such as general anaesthetics.

Experienced in treating patients from diverse cultural backgrounds i.e. those who require interpretation services.

Knowledge of Basic Life Support techniques following training and regular updates, provided by Livewell Southwest

Trained in recognising medical emergencies and assists in dealing with them.

Trained by Livewell Southwest in all Mandatory Training topics, including Manual Handling, Breakaway, Health and Safety.

Clinical work is carried out without direct supervision using initiative and knowledge of procedures gained through experience and training. The guidance of a dental operator or clinical manager is sought for non-routine clinical procedures.

Administrative duties are carried out without direct supervision using knowledge of procedures and referring to a manager for non-routine procedures.

Please refer to the supporting document section to review the full Band 4 and Band 5 JD and Spec.