Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice in dental nursing. Contribute to corporate objectives, acting within local, Trust and statutory guidelines and policies at all times.
• Check all equipment is in working order, document as such and report faults to the relevant department and ensure remedial action is taken as required.
• Ensure that all requisite materials are available e.g., impression materials, filling materials and dressings, Drills etc. and in good working order.
• Organise own workload to give timely and appropriate care and be able to recognise when to share clinical issues.
• To be experienced in departmental routines and develop an understanding of the multidisciplinary team and its input into patient management.
• Assist in the organisation and day-to-day running of designated clinical areas within clearly defined protocols and provide support to the smooth running of the clinical area in the absence of senior dental nurses, escalating issues appropriately
• To participate in team meetings to develop and improve practice in the department and promote new ideas.
• Demonstrates the ability to safely handle biopsies in accordance with current universal infection control precaution guidelines and the health and safety policy and demonstrates adherence to COSHH recommendations when handling specimens.
• Assist in providing appropriate information to patients e.g., regarding clinic delays etc. and after receipt of bad news, following an unexpected event
• Support in teaching of junior staff and students.
• Lay-out, clear and reset dental equipment in between patients and ensure that infection prevention and effective control practices are central to all clinical work.
• To ensure that all equipment, medication, and technology used with the service are of a high quality and maintained, cleaned, and stored appropriately.
• Organisation of cross-departmental/organisational activities to support patient care pathways and research and maintain clear and concise notes in clinical records and ensure relevant documentations are available
• Ensure that emergency medical drugs and equipment are available before procedures at all times and documented appropriately with the support of the appropriate registered personnel.
• Demonstrate highly technical and/or practical skills to ensure optimum patient care management including complex monitoring, (i.e. BP, BMI, INR) and equipment management and wound care with limited support.
• Utilise and ensure others utilise information and IT systems to secure accurate and timely patient, workforce, and resource data.
• Manage expected and unexpected clinical events requiring high but unpredictable levels of physical effort according to patient dependency/clinical need, referring to a senior member of staff as necessary.
• Undertakes a range of clinical tasks appropriate to band 4 level, some of which may be complex, but always within own competence and under appropriate supervision
• Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
• Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed
• Be accountable to attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required to always ensure 100%.
• To be able to use Datix effectively and appropriately.
• To maintain IR(ME)R regulations, radiation safety, and equipment management understanding legal and ethical issues.
• Participates in audits, quality improvement and risk management processes as required
• To report all complaints, incidents and accidents in line with the Trust’s incident and reporting procedure, and participate in clinical audit and research as required
• Promote and monitor adherence to Health and Safety and Trust policy designed to protect healthcare staff and service users from known hazards.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.