Trainee Dental Nurse

About the Organisation:

NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.

Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.

We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do – Open and honest, Respect and Kindness – from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.

With over 70 islands – 20 of them inhabited – Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close-knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.

NHS Orkney is currently offering two Trainee Dental Nurse positions within our Public Dental Service. You’ll be working in modern, well-equipped surgeries alongside a friendly and supportive team, gaining hands‑on experience in a dynamic and varied clinical environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals looking to begin a new professional journey in dental nursing. We’re seeking candidates who:

• Have a good standard of general education
• Experience working with the public
• Demonstrate excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Can remain calm and flexible under pressure

As a Trainee Dental Nurse, you’ll be expected to commit to working towards the National Diploma in Dental Nursing. This involves self‑directed study in your own time, along with scheduled tutorials outside of normal working hours.

During your training period you will be paid a trainee salary under Annex 21 (Arrangements for pay and banding of trainees). You will commence on a starting salary of £25,727 plus Distant Islands Allowance. Upon successful completion of qualification and registration as a Dental Nurse, your salary will progress to Band 4. We aim for trainees to complete their qualification within one year.

This post will be based at Garson Dental Clinic
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The successful candidate will work:
Full Time 36 hours per week
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This post is Permanent
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It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.

Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

The salary for this post is Band 4 Annex 21 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,719 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.

NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work‑life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.

If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact ork.recruitmentt.

For further guidance on the recruitment process and tips for creating a strong application, please refer to our Candidate Application Pack.

To find out more about this opportunity please contact Carrie Gilmour, Dental Nurse Team Lead on carrie.gilmour2t

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.

NHS Orkney is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups of people currently underrepresented within the workforce. We are a committed participant in the Disability…