Apprentice Dental Nurse

Oxford Health NHS Trust; Banbury; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

A community healthcare provider in Banbury is seeking an apprentice Dental Nurse to join their Community Dental Service. This role involves assisting dentists and providing high-quality care to patients. You will receive comprehensive training to equip you with skills for a successful career in dental nursing. Ideal candidates should have GCSEs in Maths and English, and a passion for the dental field is crucial. Opportunities for career progression and additional benefits are included.

Benefits

27 days annual leave, rising to 33 with service

NHS Discounts

Competitive pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• GCSEs at grades C/4 or above in Maths and English are essential.
• Basic IT skills including Microsoft applications.
• Passion and desire to work in the dental sector.

Responsibilities

• Assisting the dentist in providing safe treatments to patients.
• Setting up and cleaning surgery and sterilizing instruments.
• Preparing instruments and materials for treatments.

Skills

Basic IT skills

Attention to detail

Motivation

Education

GCSE English Language grade 4 or C

GCSE Maths grade 4 or C

Basic IT skills

Job description

We have a new opportunity for an apprentice Dental Nurse to join our Community Dental Service in Oxfordshire. The role will involve providing chairside support and a high level of oral health care to patients. We would love you to join us as an apprentice dental nurse and start your exciting career in dental nursing.

During the Dental Nurse Apprenticeship, you will receive ongoing support, development and training to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to qualify and have a successful career in dental nursing.

Entry requirements: GCSEs at grades C/4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English are essential.

Main duties of the job

• Assisting the dentist in providing safe and effective treatments to patients, providing patients with a high level of care
• Setting up and cleaning surgery including sterilising instruments
• Preparing instruments and materials for various treatments

During your working day, we will support you with learning the practical skills required, whilst your training provider ( Buckinghamshire College Group ) will teach you the theory side. It is an 18 month programme and it will be delivered at Buckinghamshire College Group, Aylesbury campus, Bucks, HP21 8PD every other Thursday 08:30 - 16:30.

Off the job training will be given throughout your apprenticeship during paid working hours.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people\'s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Job responsibilities

The apprenticeship provides employment and training within our Community Dental service to study the Level 3 dental nurse apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is designed to teach the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to ensure competency in all aspects of clinical duties including:

• Preparing for Professional Practice in Dental Nursing
• Infection Prevention and Control
• First Aid and Medical Emergencies
• Oral and General Health
• Endodontic Treatments
• Prosthetic Treatments
• Radiation and Radiography
• Periodontal Disease and Cavity Restoration
• Health and Safety
• Extractions and Minor Oral Surgery
• Management of Oral Health Diseases and Dental Anatomy, Oral Health Assessments and Treatment Planning

Upon successful completion you will be awarded the relevant qualification to apply for professional registration as a dental nurse to the General Dental Council (GDC).

Things to consider: A passion and desire to work within the dental sector is essential and to not be put off at the sight of blood. If you using public transport to get to the practice, please ensure you have researched the route and that a regular service is available. It is also a requirement to have a course of Hepatitis B vaccines and a clear enhanced DBS.

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application. The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification

Qualifications, Academic/Skills/Professional

• GCSE English Language grade 4 and above or GCSE grade C and above or equivalent or Level 2 Functional Skills qualification.
• GCSE Maths grade 4 and above or GCSE grade C and above or equivalent or Level 2 Functional Skills qualification
• International qualifications will require confirmation of equivalency which we can support with.
• Plus one other GCSE(Grade A-C) or equivalent
• Basic IT skills; Competent in using common office programmes such as word, spreadsheets, sending emails, data entry, conducting online research, Microsoft teams and the ability to learn the use of dental software.
• Studied further qualifications such as A Levels, HND, BTEC, Diploma or Degree
• Additional training/courses in BLS/First Aid, Safeguarding, Moving & Handling, Health & Safety or Infection Control

Experience

• Experience of working in a Health Care setting

Contractual Requirements or other requirements

• Ability to travel to all our sites, sometimes at short notice to cover staff absences
• Ability to work flexibly

Knowledge

• Demonstrates in the application form a knowledge of the role of a dental nurse and an understanding and interest in Dental Nursing as a career.
• Evidence of ability to study at Diploma level 3

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiastic and highly motivated in order to complete the training and qualify as a dental nurse
• Ability to demonstrate attention to detail in written work.
• Ability to work to deadlines and targets

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.