Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner Apprentice

Birmingham Community Health Care Nhs Foundation Trust; Park Central; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in England seeks a Qualified Dental Nurse to train as an Assistant Practitioner within the Theatre department. The successful candidate will receive training to achieve a Level 5 qualification and contribute to patient care in a perioperative environment, with an emphasis on clinical standards and teamwork. This role offers extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

Benefits

Full NHS terms and conditions

Extensive holidays

Discounts for local and national retailers

Dedicated well-being services

Qualifications

• Experience with patient care in a clinical setting.
• Ability to maintain clinical standards and sterile environments.
• Willingness to undergo training to fulfill the Assistant Practitioner role.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and transport patients in a clinical environment.
• Contribute to the safe use of medical devices.
• Assist in the delivery of perioperative patient care.

Skills

Clinical skills

Patient care support

Medical device handling

Education

Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Qualification

Job description

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for own training and development opportunities to support with the Higher‑Level Apprenticeship and development of competency‑based portfolio.
• Maintain an excellent level of attendance throughout the course.
• Prepare for and transport patients to, within and from the perioperative care environment.
• Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment.
• Assist in the support and monitoring of patients within the perioperative environment.
• Assist the registered practitioner in the delivery of perioperative patient care.
• Carry out delegated activities in receiving, handling and dispatching specimens.
• Prepare and dress for scrubbed clinical roles.
• Prepare surgical instrumentation and supplementary items for the surgical team.
• Assist in the preparation of patients for operative and clinically invasive procedures.
• Provide surgical instrumentation and items for the surgical team and maintain the sterile field.
• Receive and handle clinical specimens within the sterile field.
• Assist in the transfer and positioning of patients within the perioperative environment.
• Perform the non‑scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures.
• Carry out delegated activities in the anaesthetic environment/Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) whilst under direct supervision.

About Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC)

BCHC has more than 5000 staff working across Birmingham and the West Midlands in a wide range of community nursing and specialist healthcare roles. BCHC delivers over 100 clinical services, in people’s homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities. We deliver a wide range of services for children, young people and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehab Centre and one of Europe’s leading Dental Hospitals and School of Dentistry. We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.

Opportunity

If you want to be part of our team and work with a Foundation Trust which is continuously striving for best care and healthy communities, we want to hear from you. An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Theatre department for a Qualified Dental Nurse to train as an Assistant Practitioner and support the theatre team utilising additional skills. Training will be provided by the University of Derby and the successful applicant will graduate with a Level 5 Assistant Practitioner Qualification. The successful applicant will be expected to begin their Theatre Pathway Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship in September 2026, allowing the individual time to induct and embed within the existing theatre team. The successful applicant will be expected to meet the entry criteria specified by the University of Derby as well as the Person Specification for the role and evidence will need to be provided at the interview stage.

Position Details

• 1.0 WTE Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner Apprentice
• The Assistant Theatre Practitioner role refers to a Band 4 professional working within a health and social care setting who undertakes more advanced and complex skills and procedures beyond those of a traditional Support Worker or Health Care Assistant.
• Obtaining the Level 5 Assistant Practitioner qualification will allow the successful candidate to apply & progress onto Year 2 of the OPD course should they wish to further their career outside of this role. For a detailed description of the role, please see attached Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner apprentice job description and person specification.

Sponsorship & Visa

UK Home Office Visa Sponsorship requirements: In accordance with UK Home Office requirements, Band 2 clinical and non‑clinical roles and Band 3 Non‑Clinical roles are not eligible for sponsorship. Please note that the majority of non‑clinical roles (Agenda for Change Band 3‑6) with the exception of those which appear on this list – link – will not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. All non‑clinical roles (Agenda for Change Bands 7‑9) that meet the prescribed skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold will be eligible for sponsorship. The Trust will accept applications from candidates who can evidence their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes.

Disability Confident Employer and Guaranteed Interview Scheme

BCHC offers a guaranteed interview to any candidate who is Disabled, Neurodiverse, has a hidden or long‑term health condition as recognised under the Equality Act 2010, providing they meet the essential criteria of the job role, as set out in the person specification. We encourage applicants to submit their applications and to request any reasonable adjustments where required.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As part of our ongoing commitment to being a Great Place to Work, we actively foster and support a workplace culture that is inclusive and equitable for all staff, patients and service users. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with diverse abilities, experiences and perspectives. We are also dedicated to supporting the career progression of colleagues from under‑represented backgrounds into this role and more senior roles within the Division and the wider organisation.

Promoting Workforce Equality

In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under‑represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics. As part of this commitment and given this under‑representation, the Trust guarantees an interview to any applicants from under‑represented groups for positions at Band 8a and above whose application meets the essential criteria for the post as detailed on the Person Specification. The Trust is currently under‑represented in terms of people who identify as Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on the basis of merit. To ensure the diversity of our workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.

Flexible Working

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible (given our range of services and community settings) dependent upon the requirements associated with the role, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible. This may include hybrid patterns of working to enable colleagues to request the flexibility of a mixture of home/base working. In accordance with the NHS People Promise, the Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a ‘Great Place to Work’. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!

Using Artificial Intelligence

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini etc; are powerful tools that can help you in various stages of your job application and how they can be used in certain circumstances during your application process with BCHC. You can read more about acceptable use on our internet pages here.

Benefits

• Full NHS terms and conditions including extensive holidays, Agenda for Change pay with enhancements.
• Attractive relocation payment if you relocate to the local area.
• Discounts for local and national retailers.
• Dedicated well‑being services for all employees.
• Flexible working where possible.