dental nurse

The successful candidate will need to be able to: perform chairside dental nursing duties to a high standard assist in the event of a medical emergency assist with patients who have special needs, including vulnerable children, people who are elderly, mentally and physically disabled, suffering from terminal illness, infectious risk, or mental health problems prepare and participate in domiciliary care for elderly and patients who have difficulty in leaving their homes and school visits perform the decontamination and sterilisation of all instruments, test the decontamination equipment on a daily and weekly basis, and provide a high level of dental nursing care for all patients, including special needs adults and children, elderly, medically compromised or anxious patients; explain dental procedures/treatment to patients or carers; deliver a high standard of chairside assistance supporting all grades of clinicians; maintain a high level of cross‑infection control; be responsible for the day‑to‑day running of a base dental clinic and provide dental nursing cover across the service Main Duties 1. Dental Nursing Duties 1.1 Act as a relief dental nurse in community dental clinics across south London, usually based within one health centre 1.2 Prepare dental instruments, materials and equipment for each clinical session and ensure the surgery is left tidy at the end of the day 1.3 Receive and prepare special needs patients, including children, adults and elderly people, for treatment in the dental clinic under the direction of the dentist 1.4 Assist dental staff in the full range of dental treatment and procedures, ensuring that relevant information about the patient, including any change in his/her condition, is reported to the dentist 1.5 Assist with patients who have special needs, including vulnerable children, people who are elderly, mentally and physically disabled, suffering from terminal illness, infectious risk, or mental health problems; people with challenging behaviour or anxious/phobic about receiving dental treatment 1.6 Check patients’ fitness for discharge after extractions/sedation 1.7 Prepare and participate in domiciliary care for elderly and patients who have difficulty in leaving their homes; be aware of your surroundings and the property of the patient 1.8 Prepare and participate in the treatment of patients in high‑security hospitals 1.9 Have a full understanding of the current Department of Health decontamination guidelines and be responsible for the decontamination and sterilisation of all instruments, the safe disposal of sharps and any single‑use items; test the decontamination equipment on a daily and weekly basis and report faults to the appropriate person in line with local infection control guidelines 1.10 Assist with patients receiving treatment using conscious sedation or general anaesthetic; provide pre‑ and post‑operative care 1.11 Re‑assure and inform the patient about further treatment and arrange appointments 1.12 Give patients, parents or carers oral hygiene instruction 1.13 Assist in dental screening and epidemiological fieldwork 1.14 Work with hygiene and therapy students in community special care dentistry clinics 1.15 Supervise student dental nurses on their placement in the community dental clinics 1.16 Be fully competent in the mixing of all dental materials Clinic Management 2.1 Adhere to the department’s Infection Control Policy and Blood Borne Virus policy when treating all patients 2.2 Process and mount radiographs; clean, maintain and test the processor according to agreed procedures 2.3 Manage surgery clinical waste, dealing appropriately and safely with hazardous or toxic waste materials 2.4 Be aware of language and cultural difficulties and deal with these in a sensitive and appropriate manner 2.5 Disinfect and package dental laboratory work and arrange collection 2.6 Keep the patient filing and recall system up‑to‑date and ensure records are completed; undertake general reception duties 2.7 Take responsibility for ordering stock for the dental clinics, ensuring a level of stock control is maintained and carrying out end‑of‑year stock audit 2.8 Order pharmacy items and emergency drugs for the dental clinics, ensuring drugs are within expiry dates and the emergency drugs kit is reviewed on a weekly basis 2.9 Monitor equipment used in the dental surgery, maintain the upkeep of the equipment by following directions set out by the manufacturer or the Department, and report any faults to the dental engineer 2.10 In the absence of a dentist, report any problems or deficiencies to the Line Manager Policy and Procedures The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients. Being aware of and adhering to Trust and Departmental Policy is essential. These policies include: Health and safety/risk assessment, Infection Control, Blood Bourne Virus/HTM01‑05, Manual Handling, Violence and Aggression, Domiciliary Infection Control, Lone Worker Policy, Confidentiality, King\'s Behaviour standards, COSHH. The post holder will be expected to live by the King\'s Values: Understanding you, Inspiring confidence in our care, Working together, Always aiming higher, Making a difference in our community. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder. About King\'s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust King\'s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of approximately £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15 000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust‑wide strategy of “Strong Roots, Global Reach” is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person‑centred, digitally‑enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net‑zero carbon targets for our NHS Carbon Footprint in 2040 and for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus in 2045. Everyone’s contribution is required to meet these goals and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contribution to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible. Position Overview We would welcome applications from dental nurses who would like a new challenge and a dental nursing role with a difference, helping in their local community. We are a community dental service with clinics based all over South East and South West London. We provide high‑level dental care to patients inside and outside of the dental surgery; we go to schools, homeless centres, hospitals, patients’ homes, care homes, right in the heart of the community. You will be based in one clinic where you will be part of the larger community family. We are based across 9 London boroughs and you might be surprised to find a clinic close to you. We are currently recruiting for a part‑time dental nurse to work across Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham sites, however you may be required to cover all Community Clinics. A recognised dental nurse qualification and registration with the General Dental Council is essential. We Offer Development Opportunities CPD and mandatory training Inhalation sedation training Post‑certificate opportunities in Special Care, Sedation and Radiography in‑house with Kings Regular appraisals Established career pathway and opportunities for progression Financial Wellbeing salary sacrifice childcare vouchers NHS Pension scheme high cost area supplement (outer) Physical Wellbeing NHS staff discounts boarding and induction support Mental Health and Wellbeing Benefits self‑referral to occupational health counselling and mentoring #J-18808-Ljbffr Salary: GBP 24000 - 36000 per year