Trainee Dental Nurse

NHS; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the NHS as a Trainee Dental Nurse, providing vital support within the healthcare team while receiving comprehensive training toward professional qualification. This role offers flexible working options and the chance to make a significant impact in patient care across Sussex.

Benefits

Excellent training and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Access to workplace nurseries

Qualifications

• Willingness to work towards professional registration with an approved provider.
• Some clinical experience preferred.
• Knowledge of HTM01:05.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate dental records to comply with Trust policies.
• Provide patient care before, during, and after treatment.
• Assist during dental treatments using appropriate techniques.

Skills

Teamwork

Prioritisation

Basic knowledge of Windows applications

Job description

Are you passionate about patient care and want to make a difference?

Join us as a Trainee Dental Nurse and take the first step towards becoming a fully qualified Dental Nurse within the NHS. If you are well organised, able to prioritise, and enjoy working as part of a team to provide excellent patient care, then we look forward to hearing from you.

The Special Care Dental Service is part of a countywide service providing NHS Dental treatment to patients on referral from General Dental Practitioners, GPs, and other health and social care professionals. We have clinics across the county, operating Monday to Friday, 08:30am to 4:30pm, as well as a domiciliary service.

As per national apprenticeship funding rules, this role is only eligible to applicants who have been a resident of the UK for three or more years.

Main duties of the job

1. Maintain accurate, computerised and paper dental records of patients to comply with the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust policies.
2. Conform to all Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and Special Care Dentistry policies, procedures, and guidelines.
3. Provide nursing cover at short notice and possibly for an extended period at any clinic throughout the county/region, including administrative responsibilities usually undertaken by the dental nurse in post, if alternate cover cannot be appointed.
4. Participate in supervision in line with trust policy.
5. Participate in evidence collation for The Care Quality Commission (CQC).

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values: Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

1. Responsible for training and development leading to a professional qualification by attending all educational-based training (including classroom and practical elements).
2. Develop competence across a wide range of dental chairside support procedures.
3. Learn to prepare the clinical environment for patient care following all Special Care Dental Services and Trust policies & procedures, including infection control.
4. Responsible for patient care before, during, and after treatment, monitoring the patient throughout, and offering guidance and support in a way that complements other team members.
5. Develop competence in preparing clinical materials accurately, following manufacturers' guidelines.
6. Develop a comprehensive knowledge of dental instruments and equipment necessary during treatment procedures.
7. Assist during treatment using appropriate techniques to ensure procedures are carried out efficiently and effectively.
8. Work openly and cooperatively with patients and their families, recognizing their involvement in care planning and delivery.
9. Provide empathy & reassurance to patients and respond to their needs for care, regardless of health problems.
10. Complete quality assurance processes, including dental radiography, decontamination, and emergency drugs.
11. Develop competence in providing oral hygiene advice, instruction, and post-operative care.
12. Assist during domiciliary visits, preparing kits and ensuring infection control.
13. Maintain stock control, check expiry dates, and ensure safe disposal of medicines and materials.
14. Ensure dental laboratory work is collected and delivered efficiently.
15. Develop competence in decontamination and sterilisation of instruments.
16. Ensure appropriate disposal of clinical and special waste.
17. Use IT Dental Software for patient charting.
18. Maintain equipment within the clinic environment.
19. Participate in managing medical emergencies as required.
20. Maintain high professional standards and engage in CPD as outlined by GDC.
21. Conform to all Trust policies and guidelines.
22. Perform general reception duties to ensure smooth clinic operation.
23. Make appointments, arrange recalls, and handle patient payments.
24. Organise transport and translators where needed.

Person Specification

Skills

• Ability to work well within a team, prioritise tasks, and work under pressure.
• Basic knowledge of Windows applications.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Windows-based IT systems and reception duties.

Qualifications

• Willing to work towards professional registration with an approved provider.

Experience

• Some clinical experience.
• Knowledge of HTM01:05.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to a DBS check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

£23,874.98 per annum (annex 21 pay scale) - National Living Wage