DENTAL NURSE APPRENTICE
The job will involve supporting the dentist in all procedures, to assist in a full range of dental care and to work within the dental team to ensure a high standard of infection control and organisation is maintained.
Clinical:
• Assist the dentist or hygienist in organising the day’s activities.
• Monitor the day lists and appointment diary and update as necessary.
• Prepare the surgery for use at the beginning of each session and clear up at the end of the session consistent with the Practice’s Health and Safety Protocol.
• Anticipate the dental operator’s requirements across a broad range of clinical procedures.
• Assist the dental operator in the provision of a broad range of dental treatment and to supervise the patient until they are fit to leave the Practice.
• Prepare filling and impression materials, instruments, equipment, dressings and syringes.
• Use equipment such as hand instruments, aspiration equipment in a manner which minimises the risk of cross infection or soft tissue injury.
• Decontamination duties as and when required.
• General cleaning of all surgeries and any patient areas.
• Provide pre and post-operative instructions for patients in agreement with the dental operator.
• Assist the dental operator in making arrangements for appropriate follow up care.
• Maintain hand pieces, aspirators and other equipment.
• Process radiographs.
• Arrange for the timely supply of materials and laboratory work.
• Utilise keyboard skills for data entry on dental software programmes.
• Accompany the dental operator on domiciliary visits (infrequently).
Communication:
• Communicate appropriately and effectively in good English using appropriate terminology by spoken, written and electronic methods and maintain and develop these skills.
• Receive the patient into the surgery and prepare them for treatment.
• Reassure patients and explain dental procedures especially when there may be communication difficulties.
• Monitor, support and reassure patients through relevant behavioural techniques.
• Monitor patients, identify any complications and take the necessary actions consistent with agreed local and national protocols.
• Record treatment, for example; baseline charting, clinical treatments and periodontal charting from the dental operator’s instructions.
• Undertake reception duties when required, for example; answering the telephone, making appointments, explaining and where appropriate collecting patient charges.
• Take immediate advice from a senior colleague if a patient needs to be seen urgently.
Professionalism, Leadership and Management:
• Act within the General Dental Council’s (GDC) ethical guidance and standards commensurate to that of a dental professional.
• Act within other professionally laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Legislation.
• Follow and implement clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation.
• Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Protect the confidentiality of patient information.
• Apply safe working practices and take responsibility for own actions.
• Co-operate with other members of the dental and wider healthcare team in the interest of patients.
• Respect the role of the dental and healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a wider healthcare team.
• Act without discrimination and show respect for patients, staff, peers and the general public.
• Understand own capabilities and limitations in the interest of high quality patient care and always act within these boundaries.
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through education, training and practice against agreed occupational standards and in accordance with GDC guidance.
• Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgement and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Take responsibility for personal development planning and reflective practice.
• Maintain professional behaviour and appearance, including being punctual and polite when attending assessor led meetings and in the workplace.
• Reflect on the impact of personal behaviour and manage this accordingly.
• Effectively manage own time and resources.
DUTIES
Clinical:
• Assist the dentist or hygienist in organising the day’s activities.
• Monitor the day lists and appointment diary and update as necessary.
• Prepare the surgery for use at the beginning of each session and clear up at the end of the session consistent with the Practice’s Health and Safety Protocol.
• Anticipate the dental operator’s requirements across a broad range of clinical procedures.
• Assist the dental operator in the provision of a broad range of dental treatment and to supervise the patient until they are fit to leave the Practice.
• Prepare filling and impression materials, instruments, equipment, dressings and syringes.
• Use equipment such as hand instruments, aspiration equipment in a manner which minimises the risk of cross infection or soft tissue injury.
• Decontamination duties as and when required.
• General cleaning of all surgeries and any patient areas.
• Provide pre and post-operative instructions for patients in agreement with the dental operator.
• Assist the dental operator in making arrangements for appropriate follow up care.
• Maintain hand pieces, aspirators and other equipment.
• Process radiographs.
• Arrange for the timely supply of materials and laboratory work.
• Utilise keyboard skills for data entry on dental software programmes.
• Accompany the dental operator on domiciliary visits (infrequently).
Communication:
• Communicate appropriately and effectively in good English using appropriate terminology by spoken, written and electronic methods and maintain and develop these skills.
• Receive the patient into the surgery and prepare them for treatment.
• Reassure patients and explain dental procedures especially when there may be communication difficulties.
• Monitor, support and reassure patients through relevant behavioural techniques.
• Monitor patients, identify any complications and take the necessary actions consistent with agreed local and national protocols.
• Record treatment, for example; baseline charting, clinical treatments and periodontal charting from the dental operator’s instructions.
• Undertake reception duties when required, for example; answering the telephone, making appointments, explaining and where appropriate collecting patient charges.
• Take immediate advice from a senior colleague if a patient needs to be seen urgently.
Professionalism, Leadership and Management:
• Act within the General Dental Council’s (GDC) ethical guidance and standards commensurate to that of a dental professional.
• Act within other professionally laws and systems including Health and Safety, Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Legislation.
• Follow and implement clinical policies and procedures to comply with legislation.
• Treat patients and colleagues with dignity and respect.
• Protect the confidentiality of patient information.
• Apply safe working practices and take responsibility for own actions.
• Co-operate with other members of the dental and wider healthcare team in the interest of patients.
• Respect the role of the dental and healthcare professionals in the context of learning and working in a wider healthcare team.
• Act without discrimination and show respect for patients, staff, peers and the general public.
• Understand own capabilities and limitations in the interest of high quality patient care and always act within these boundaries.
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through education, training and practice against agreed occupational standards and in accordance with GDC guidance.
• Apply an evidence-based approach to learning, practice, clinical judgement and decision making and utilise critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Take responsibility for personal development planning and reflective practice.
• Maintain professional behaviour and appearance, including being punctual and polite when attending assessor led meetings and in the workplace.
• Reflect on the impact of personal behaviour and manage this accordingly.
• Effectively manage own time and resources.
WORKING HOURS PER WEEK
35
REQUIRED SKILLS
Team working
Time management
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Organisation skills
IT skills
REQUIRED QUALITIES
Patience
Empathy
Friendly
Working under pressure
Ability to multi-task
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Having Maths and English at grade 4/C or above is preferable
NUMBER OF VACANCIES
1
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Opportuntiy of fulltime employment on successful completion of the apprenticeship, with the potential to progress in to more specialist areas