Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner Trainee

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS FT; Park Central; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Birmingham is offering an exciting opportunity for a qualified Dental Nurse to train as a Dental Assistant Practitioner Trainee. The role involves supporting the theatre team, preparing patients for procedures, and contributing to patient care. The position provides training leading to a Level 5 Assistant Practitioner qualification through the University of Derby. Ideal candidates will have a dental nursing qualification, professional registration, and Level 2 in English and Maths. Competitive salary offered, with the successful applicant starting in September 2026.

Qualifications

• Dental nursing qualification such as NEBDN or NVQ Level 3.
• Professional registration with the General Dental Council is required.
• Level 2 proficiency in English and Maths is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for own training and development.
• Prepare and transport patients in the perioperative environment.
• Contribute to safe use of medical devices in surgery.
• Assist the registered practitioner in patient care.

Skills

Professional interaction

Confidentiality principles

Up to date dental nursing knowledge

Ability to work under pressure

Organisational skills

Cross infection procedures knowledge

Computer skills

Knowledge of dental procedures

Other languages

Education

Dental Nursing Qualification (NEBDN, NVQ Level 3)

General Dental Council Registration

Level 2 English and Maths

Job description

Are you looking for a new exciting career within the NHS? Are you patient focussed and want to deliver high quality dental care?

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Theatre department for a Qualified Dental Nurse to train as an Dental Assistant Practitioner Trainee 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 Dental Assistant Practitioner Trainee 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.

The following position is available:

The Dental Assistant Practitioner Trainee 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 there career outside of this role.

Main duties of the job

• To take responsibility for own training and development opportunities to support with the Higher-Level Apprenticeship and development of competency-based portfolio.
• To 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 us

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.

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.

Job responsibilities

For a detailed description of the role, please see attached Band 4 Dental Assistant Practitioner Trainee job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Education

• Dental Nursing Qualification (NEBDN, NVQ Level 3, Level 3 Diploma or equivalent)
• Professional Registration with General Dental Council
• Level 2 English (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills English, Key Skills Level 2 Communication or equivalent)
• Level 2 Maths (GCSE Grade 4-9, GCSE Grade A-C, Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, Key Skills Level 2 Application of Number (Numeracy) or equivalent)

Experience

• Relevant experience working as part of a dental team, e.g. General Practice, Hospital, other Primary Dental Services / Community Dental Services experiencing chair side duties
• Experience of working with children, elderly, medically compromised patients, and patients with learning disabilities
• Theatre Experience
• Evidence of CPD / Recent Study

Skills/Knowledge

• To interact professionally with individuals
• Understand the principles of confidentiality
• Up to date knowledge in all areas of dental nursing
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
• Organisational skills
• Good working knowledge of cross infection procedures
• Computer Skills
• Knowledge of dental procedures
• Other Languages

Personal Qualities

• Flexibility
• Ability to deal with emotional & challenging situations
• Ability to meet travel requirements of the role

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.

£27,485 to £30,162 a yearper annum (pro rata)