Job Description

Are you enthusiastic with a keen desire to start an exciting new career?



We are looking for a suitable candidate to train as a dental nurse apprentice within Medway Community Healthcare



You will need excellent communication skills, a professional and efficient manner and the self-motivation to learn commencing in September 2025.



Applicants must have a minimum of 2 Level 4 GCSE grades or above (GCSE grade C or above) including Maths, English. A level 4 GCSE in Science is desirable. Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the role of a dental nurse and an interest in working in healthcare.



MCH do not provide sponsorship for this post.



For more information please contact 07789 444992 (Lead Nurse)



Apprentices will experience special care dentistry in a variety of settings and receive onsite support through one to one tutorials with experienced staff and opportunities across West Kent.



We have 10 clinics and the post holder will be expected to travel to different locations to maximise different situations.



During the apprenticeship period, you will work towards achieving a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.



P rovide post-operative instructions to patients ensuring they understand instructions, oral health promotion and care, advice on the wearing of dentures. Help maintain patient's comfort and dignity at all times and give basic advice and reassurance to patients and clients especially where there may be communication difficulties. Receiving and preparing patients for treatment, if necessary moving and handling of patients from wheelchairs to the dental chair by hoist in line with the moving and handling recommendations.

Liaise with the Lead Nurse to improve working procedures.



Liaise with Line manager for all aspects of your day to day duties.



Work closely with you mentor with regard to your on going training.



Attend all team meetings when necessary to discuss existing procedures and future plans for the Service.



So what else?



This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused - you'll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder.



We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development.



We'll provide well established, in-service training, one to one supervision, and appraisals with regular support.



You'll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team.



Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important work life balance is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.



The small print



Informal visits can be arranged on request.



We will offer you the choice of two pension schemes; the NHS Pension scheme and the scottish widows group pension scheme.



MCH encourages all staff to be double COVID vaccinated to protect themselves, their colleagues, their family and their patients.

The post holder should be working towards the ability to :

The NEBDN Certificate in Dental Nursing/NVQ Level 3 City & Guilds in Oral Health Care or recognized equivalent.



Maintain yearly General Dental Council registration. Maintain their clinical skills and knowledge base throughout their professional career. Maintain relevant statutory and Mandatory Training. Have good interpersonal skills as it is frequently necessary to communicate with patients who have complex medical conditions and complex treatment plans. Flexibility to work in all dental departments/clinics across West Kent.

Work within pre-defined guidelines.



Clinical supervision where the service deems necessary and or appropriate.



Participate in clinical audit and Governance when necessary.



Work as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility in a changing environment.



1. Analytical and judgement skills

The Post holder should be working towards the ability to :

Have good analytical and judgemental skills so that prompt action can be taken in complex clinical and non-clinical procedures and situations. Act on own initiative where required guided by service policies/protocols in the absence of another team member.

Must have the ability to take prompt action in a range of emergency clinical and non-clinical procedures and situations and equipment failure.



Must be able to anticipate individual patient emergency needs.



2. Planning and organisational skills

The post holder should be working towards the ability to:

Prepare the dental surgery before the start of the day in line with the agreed protocols adhering to Infection Control policies and procedures.



Receive and prepare patients for treatment.



Processing and mounting of dental radiographs, dental radiographs are to be taken in accordance with Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations. (IRMER)



Ensure that all dental instruments are decontaminated appropriately in accordance with the service policies/protocols and in a timely manner.



Ensure that the surgery is decontaminated and cleaned and in a timely manner prior to the next patient's treatment ensuring that the service policies and protocols are followed at all times.



Ensure at the end of day that the surgery is decontaminated and cleaned following service policies and protocols.



Ensure accuracy when recording and charting treatment plans within the R4 appointment system.



Preparing and monitoring Laboratory work and making necessary plans when work is not ready.



Ensure that the service training needs are met by planning other commitments in order to attend.



Making and recording appointments which suit the patient and the organisational requirements.



Ensuring that equipment and building deficiencies and breakages are reported.



Maintaining medical files in line with organisational requirements.



Maintaining a regular supply of essential materials and ordering to replenish when necessary



3. Physical skills

The post holder should be working towards the ability to:

Move and handle patients from wheelchairs to the dental chair, either by hoist in line with Moving and Handling recommendations set out by the organisation.



Walking to waiting area to receive and retrieve patients.



On occasions work with limited scope for movement during treatments, whilst sitting for long periods.

On occasions make repetitive movement during treatment.



Be required to twist and bend whilst treating patients in order to maintain a good line of sight throughout treatment.



On occasions lift deliveries of stock of whose weight will not exceed 4Kg



4. Responsibility for patient / client care

The post holder should be working towards the ability to:

Ensure the patient is given the appropriate advice leaflets, where applicable.



Check the patient has understood how to take the medication they have been prescribed before they leave the clinic, notifying the dentist when a patient has not understood this information in order that this information can be re-iterated to them by the dentist



Dealing with treatment enquiries in the absence of a duty dentist.



Ensure the patient is given the appropriate advice leaflet following dental extractions and the patient understands the importance of following the instructions on the leaflet.



Observing the patient's condition throughout treatment



5. Responsibility for policy and service development implementation

The post holder should be working towards the ability to:

Be responsible for ensuring all policies, procedures and guidelines that are implemented within the Service are adhered to within their own area of work.



6. Responsibilities for financial and physical resources



The post holder should be working towards the ability to



Receive payments from patients and issuing receipts following the organisational financial Instructions. Ensure that reconciliation of payments are correct at the end of every day and documented following Organisational Standing Financial Instructions Responsible for ordering of dental materials and equipment when required following service guidelines.

7. Responsibilities for human resources (HR)



To help the service to integrate new team members ensuring protocols and procedures are adhered to at all times



8. Responsibilities for information resources



The post holder will have no overall responsibility for Information Resources.

9. Responsibilities for research and development (R&D)



The post holder has limited responsibility for research and development in the following areas;



Completion of Radiograph audits following Service Policies and Procedures. Paper audits are stored in accordance to Service Policies and Procedures

10. Freedom to act

The post holder should:

Paper audits are stored in accordance with Service Policies and Procedures.



Work within the Service guidelines and be governed by policies and procedures outlined by the Organisation.

1



Physical effort



This factor measures the physical effort (sustained effort at a similar level or sudden explosive effort) required for the job. It takes account of any circumstances that may affect the degree of effort required, such as working in an awkward position or confined space . Please tick the appropriate box in the table below.



Job requirements



Yes / no



Average number of shifts per week



Average number of times per shift



Average duration of each occurrence



Average weight lifted



Standing / walking for substantial periods of time?



Yes



Difficult to give an accurate assessment of frequency as every session potentially could include frequent occurrences of the statement.



Standing / sitting with limited scope for movement for long periods?



Yes



Making repetitive movements?



Yes



Inputting at a keyboard?



Yes



Kneeling, crouching, twisting, bending or stretching?



Yes



Climbing or crawling?



No



Working in physically cramped conditions?



No



Working at heights?



No



Pushing / pulling trolleys or similar?



Yes



Running?



No



Cleaning / pot washing?



Yes



The decontamination of dental instruments



Less than 25kg



Lifting weights / equipment with mechanical aids?



No



Lifting weights / equipment without mechanical aids?



Yes



Pharmacy boxes and deliveries of materials



Manual digging?



No



Other? (please specify)



Mental effort



This factor measures the mental effort (concentration, responding to unpredictable work patterns, interruptions and the need to meet deadlines) required for the job. Please tick the appropriate box in the table below and describe the level of alertness / concentration required when undertaking certain activities. Please note that the periods of time in the table refer to continuous periods of concentration.



Job requirement



Average duration



How often per day / shift?



Are there interruptions?



If yes, do they require you to change what you are doing?



Check documents



Yes



Difficult to assess as every session worked may include frequent occurrences of both mental effort and interruptions depending on patients who attend and the level of the activity within the session.



Carry out calculations



Yes



Analyse statistics



No



Operate equipment / machinery



Yes



Variable



Rare



Only in emergency situations



Drive a vehicle



No



Carry out screening tests / microscope work



No



Carry out clinical / therapeutic / social care / diagnoses / assessments



No



Attend meetings (please describe role)



7 hours



Quarterly



No



No



Prepare detailed reports



No



Carry out formal student / trainee assessments



No



Undergo cross examination in court



No



Carry out clinical, therapeutic or social care interventions / treatment



No



Carry out non-clinical fault finding



Yes



Other (please specify)



Is the pattern of this work predictable in nature? No



Due to the complex patients we are treating with compromising medical conditions and the needs that this brings to the Service, creates an unpredictable pattern of work.



Emotional effort



This factor measures the emotional effort required to undertake clinical or non-clinical duties that are generally considered to be distressing and/or emotionally demanding. Please complete the table below, indicating whether you carry out the activities listed as examples.



Examples



Number of occasions per week / month / year



Giving unwelcome news to patients / clients / carers / staff



Daily - differs from session to session so difficult to assess, if a patient is unhappy with the treatment provided by the dentist this may occur



Processing, eg typing / transmitting, news of highly distressing events



No



Providing a service for distressed / angry patients / clients



Patients can become abusive due to the nature of special needs patients being treated.



Dealing with difficult situations / circumstances



Daily - Due to the nature of special care our patients require.



Designated to provide emotional support to front line staff



Daily - Management would offer support to fellow colleagues when faced with a difficult situation.



Providing a care or therapy service to emotionally demanding patients / clients



Daily - Due to the nature of special care our patients require.



Caring for the terminally ill



No



Communicating life changing events to patients / clients



No



Dealing with people with challenging behaviour



Daily - Due to the nature the special needs patients being treated.



Arriving at the scene of a serious incident



No



Other (please specify)



Working conditions



This factor measures the demands arising from inevitably adverse environmental conditions (such as extreme heat / cold, smells, noise, fumes) and hazards, which are unavoidable (even with the strictest health and safety controls), such as spills of harmful chemicals, aggressive behaviour of patients, clients, relatives, carers).



Please describe where you work and state percentage of time in each area below:



Please complete the table below concerning the conditions in which you are required to work or illness /injury to which you are exposed.

Are you require to work in, directly with or exposed to:

Yes / no



Frequency per week / month / year



Driving / being driven in normal situations (excluding driving to work)?



No



Driving / being driven in emergency situations?



No



Inclement weather?



No



Use of VDU more or less continuously?



No



Excessive temperatures?



No



Unpleasant smells / odours?



Yes



Daily - Some materials, pharmacy items and chemicals.



Excessive noise and / or vibration?



Yes



From the handpiece and suction unit



Dust / dirt?



No



Humidity?



No



Exposure to dangerous chemicals / substances in containers?



Yes



Daily - Some materials, pharmacy items and chemicals



Exposure to aggressive verbal behaviour where there is no or little support?



Yes



Variable - see 'Emotional Effort' section



Unpleasant substances / non-household waste?



Yes



Daily bagging up clinical waste



Noxious fumes?



Yes



Daily-Some materials, pharmacy items and chemicals.



Infectious material / foul linen?



Yes



Daily- all used dental instruments are deemed infectious



Fleas or lice?



Yes



Occasional exposure.



Body fluids, faeces, vomit?



Yes



Daily - saliva and blood; faeces-extremely rare; vomit-occasional.



Exposure to dangerous chemicals / substances not in containers?



Yes



When developing Radiographs and handling chemicals developer/fixer waste.



Other (please specify)



Corporate accountabilities



Equality and diversity



The post holder will comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality and diversity of employment and services across the organisation.



Standards of professional and business conduct



The postholder will be required to comply with the organisation's standing orders and standing financial Instructions, and at all times deal honestly with the organisation, with colleagues and all those who have dealings with the organisation, including patients, relatives and suppliers. The postholder will also be required to comply with the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers and / or the relevant professional codes of conduct.



Control of infection



All staff whether clinical or non-clinical are required to comply with the Health and Social Care Act 2008. Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. The postholder is expected to keep patients, visitors, themselves and other staff safe by continuously reducing the risk of healthcare associated infections.



Risk management and health and safety



The postholder will ensure compliance with the organisation's risk management policies and procedures. These describe the organisation's commitment to risk management, the recognition that our aim is to protect patients, staff and visitors from harm, and stress that all staff have a responsibility to minimise risk. The postholder will be required to observe local health and safety arrangements and take reasonable care of him / herself and persons that may be affected by his / her work.



Governance standards



Comply with the relevant governance standards applicable to the organisation as communicated to the postholder from time to time



Confidentiality



To respect the confidence of patients, clients and their carers relating to their condition, their family and their financial and other circumstances and not to disclose any such information to others who are not authorised to have it, either within or outside the organisation. To abide by the organisation's code of conduct and Caldicott requirements in confidentiality at all times.



Records management



To maintain organisation and patient records (both paper and electronic) in accordance with organisation policies to facilitate clinical care and effective administration.



Freedom of Information



To provide advice and assistance to all persons who propose to make, or have made requests for information, and to ensure all requests for information are managed appropriately in accordance with organisation Freedom of Information procedures via the governance team.



Data protection



To comply with organisation's policies and the Data Protection Act in all respects, with particular relevance to the protection and use of personal and patient information.



Security



To comply with organisation policies to ensure there is a safe and secure environment that protects patients, staff and visitors and their property, and the physical assets and the information of the organisation.



Safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults



All staff must be familiar with and adhere to Medway Community Healthcare Safeguarding Policies, procedures and guidelines for both children and vulnerable adults. This must be in conjunction with the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Board and Kent and Medway Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Multi-Agency Policy, protocols and guidelines. All staff are required to attend mandatory safeguarding children and vulnerable adults training and updating relevant to their position and role.



Person specification



Criteria



Essential



Desirable



Qualifications



Level 4 or GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English or equivalent Have an interest in Science Subjects. Be willing to register or be registered on a NEBDN Certificate in Dental Nursing/NVQ Level 3 City & Guilds in Oral Health Care or recognized equivalent.

GCSE grade C or above in Science.



Experience



No experience in Dental Nursing is necessary



Willingness to learn under instruction.



Experience working in a Team/Dental Team.



Experience working with the general public.



Experience working with special needs people.



Special knowledge / expertise



Computer Literate



Qualification in IT Keen to Learn.

Disposition, adjustment, attitude and commitment



Ability to adapt to working with different members of the team.



Flexible approach to working at a variety of dental sites, using either own Transport or Public Transport.



Ability to adapt to an ever changing Service.



Smart and presentable. A positive attitude. Be able to relate and speak to people in a calm, confident and reassuring manner. Honesty Hard working, Committed and ambitious. Demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn from mistakes. A responsible attitude for yourself and your environment. Professional appearance and attitude.

Practical / intellectual skills



Excellent communication skills.



Excellent inter-personal skills.



Organisational skills including ability to prioritize own workload.



Ability to work within defined guidelines



Maintain clinical skills throughout professional career.



Understanding the importance of Confidentiality



Ability to multi task. * Be able to work under pressure.