Job Description
We would welcome applications from experienced dental nurses to support the management of the Community Special Care clinics, In Kingston, Richmond and Wandsworth The post holder must have a Dental nursing qualification and at least one post qualification certificate in IV Sedation, Radiography or Special Care.
The post holder must;
- Provide a high level of dental nursing care for all patients; including specialneeds adults and children, medically compromised or anxious patients. Explaindental procedures/treatment to patients or carers
- To act as a resource providing accurate information, advice and support to patients, carers, relatives and the multi-disciplinary team and other areas withinthe Department of Community Special Care Dentistry.
- Take part in the management and audit of community dental clinic's.
- Act up as Dental nurse manager in their absence.
- Advising new staff of the Decontamination and Infection Control Policy and which precautions to take.
- Training staff on hand hygiene techniques.
- Undertaking general dental nursing duties.
- Carrying out annual decontamination training with staff, completing relevant paperwork for decontamination log books.
- Undertaking audits as required.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£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 of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
- Carrying out clinical duties in community dental clinics. We aim to place dental nurses in one base clinic; however, it may become necessary, due to staff sickness/annual leave or the needs of the service, for nurses to work in any clinic.
- Preparing dental instruments, materials and equipment for each clinical session
- Receiving and preparing special needs patients, including children, adults and elderly people for treatment in the clinic under the direction of the dentist.
- Assisting 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.
- Where appropriate, assisting with patients receiving treatment under relative analgesia or IHS. Providing pre and postoperative care.
- Assisting with patients who have special needs, people with mental and physical disabilities suffering from terminal illness,
infectious risk, or mental health problems. People with challenging behaviour or are anxious / phobic about receiving dental treatment.
- Preparation and participation in the treatment of patients in high security hospitals living with mental health problems.
- Being responsible for the needs of the trained dental nurses and agency staff working in your base dental clinic. Teaching, training supervising and assisting them with any issues they are unsure about.
- • Advising new staff of the Decontamination and Infection Control Policy and which precautions to take.
- Training staff on hand hygiene techniques.
- Carrying out annual decontamination training with staff, completing relevant paperwork for decontamination log books.
- Undertaking new staff induction, completing paperwork accurately and highlighting training needs.
- Dealing with complaints in the appropriate manner and trying to prevent them from occurring in the first instant.
- Ensuring that the immediate team take part in regular meetings to review clinic issues, medical emergency and health and safety.
- Submitting reports as and when requested by line manager, or the Senior Management Team.
- Assisting with the weekly dental nurse rota as and when required. Deputising for Clinical Dental Nurse Co-ordinator for early morning calls from staff. Re-arranging clinic staff roster as short notice.
- Responsible for staff timekeeping, reporting inadequacies to the line manager. Managing time keeping where appropriate.
- Ensuring log-books for decontamination equipment are present and correct and perform quality control audits within the clinics.
- Being aware of current trends and changes in Health and Safety. Ensuring clinics adhere to the regulations and follow guidelines.
- Assisting on the General Anaesthetic (GA) sessions at outreach hospitals, ensuring staffing cover is adequate and a high level of infection control is maintained.
- Monitoring GA waiting lists and ensuring referral to treatment targets are met. Updating departmental database with relevant GA statistics. Reporting on GA services to GA Lead and Senior Management Team.
- Liaising with multiple internal and external staff, family and patients as well as other relevant health Care workers to provide a clear patient pathway for GA sessions.
- (if applicable) Organising, assisting and supporting the clinicians working in the sedation hubs. The sedation clinics utilise intra-venous, intra-nasal, inhalation and oral sedation techniques. Having a full understanding of these techniques and how to manage a patient prior, during and after treatment under sedation. Closely monitoring the patient, using own clinical judgement where necessary.
- (if applicable) Acting as recovery dental nurse in the sedation hubs, ensuring all safety checks have been completed before a patient is discharged.
- Being responsible for the needs of the trained dental nurses and agency staff working in your dental clinics. Inducting, training, supervising and assisting them with any issues.
- Undertaking monthly hand hygiene audits in the Community Special Care Dentistry clinics, addressing any non-compliance with the staff member and submitting reports appropriately and timely.
- Carrying out infection control audits, addressing any non-compliance with the staff member and submitting reports
- Carrying out dental nurse annual performance review using the Trust’s appraisal system. Highlighting training needs and setting objectives and personal development plans
- Any other duties at the discretion of line manager or Deputy Head of Dental Nursing.