Specialist Dental Nurse

To be responsible for providing Specialist Dental Nurse support and all aspects of service delivery within the Dental Specialities and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments.

The post holder, with support from the Senior Dental Manager, Dental Specialities and Maxillofacial Surgery Department Nurse Team Co-ordinator and Modern Matron, will ensure that high standards are monitored and maintained within the framework of clinical governance.

*** Please note that applications from temporary workers who have been engaged with the Trust for a minimum of 3 months are welcome.

*** Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

• To work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Supervise healthcare assistants and dental nurse students.
• Responsible for delivering effective quality dental nursing care following a patient centred model of practice and ensuring areas of work run smoothly and efficiently.
• Responsible for ensuring resources are used effectively within the clinical environment.

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment.

We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on  We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.

Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.

We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Communication

• Liaise with other departments to ensure that equipment and facilities are in good working order. Report faults and defects to MEMS, SDU, Estates.
• Ensure timely and effective communication with patients, staff, relatives and carers in relation to their care and treatment.
• Ensuring the maintenance of confidentiality and adherence to GDPR and the Data Protection Act at all times.
• Chair, attend, and contribute towards departmental and other meetings as appropriate.
• Seek support and advice on matters outside your experience and authority. .
• Contribute to changes in departmental policies and procedures for improving patient care.

Analytical and Judgemental:

• Report incidents through the Trust incident reporting mechanism (Datix)
• Support and enhance the continual quality and service improvement initiatives ensuring a quality first approach to all aspects of work. Including Trust procedure for point of care testing.

Planning and Organisation:

• Assist and deputise for the Dental Specialities and Maxillofacial Surgery Department Nurse team Co-ordinator.
• Work within occupational standards, policies and procedures to effectively supervise and lead the dental nurse team.
• Work as part of Specialist Dental Nursing team within the departmental rota.
• Work proactively with all multidisciplinary groups in order to promote continual good working practice.
• Demonstrate a high commitment to professional and personal development to ensure that professional competencies are maintained and continue to meet the needs of the service.
• Provide expert dental nurse assistance and supervision of the dental nurse team for dental specialities or maxillofacial surgery to include day to day organisation of and planning for:
• Oral surgery procedures under local anaesthetic and occasionally general anaesthetic
• Orthognathic clinic
• Participate in peripheral clinics (Head and Neck Oncology, Dry Mouth, Acupuncture etc)
• Undertake point of care testing for blood glucose, INR and MRSA screening.
• Orthodontic procedures and orthodontic surgery under local or general anaesthetic
• Regional Cleft Clinic
• Restorative dentistry (to include special needs theatre list fortnightly), implant dentistry.
• Assist the dental hygienist
• Dental impression taking (certification required)
• Oral Health Education/Fluoride application
• Undertake the role of link practitioner for the role of one or more of the…