Trainee Dental Nurse

The Trainee dental nurses role is to assist the dentist or hygienist with all clinical aspects within the surgery under the supervision and guidance of the dentist/s worked with and senior qualified nursing staff in the practice. 

Trainee dental nurses must apply proficient surgery procedures, provide excellent patient care, maintain cross infection control, equipment and materials.  At all times Company systems and protocols should be adhered to.

PATIENT CARE

• Greet and care for all patients within your care in a polite and courteous manner at all times
• Provide a comfortable, clean and uncluttered environment for patients
• Always be aware of patient confidentiality and data protection
• Inform reception of any reason for delays
• Ensure patients receive all necessary paperwork and that all forms are signed and dated correctly
• Be fully familiar with all emergency & evacuation procedures
• Promote a professional image of the Company at all times
• The dental nurse must remain in surgery, ensuring that dentists are chaperoned at all times when treating a patient unless a clinical duty such as radiographs dictates
• Wear the correct clean uniform and maintain a professional appearance at all times while working with patients
• Maintain awareness of new developments and dental techniques

PEOPLE

• Provide support to specified dentist and other team members
• Encourage effective teamwork
• Liaise closely with reception to ensure maximum efficiency within surgery
• Work closely with dentist in a professional and appropriate manner
• Carry out reception and administrative tasks where required

CLINICAL

• Assist the patient into surgery, settle them in the chair and prepare them for treatment
• Only undertake duties under the instruction and supervision of the dentist or a senior qualified nurse
• Operate only the equipment you are instructed to do so by a dentist or senior qualified nurse.
• Produce instruments and materials as necessary during treatment
• Assist dentist with suction, retraction, manipulation of the air and water syringes, changing burs in the hand pieces, passing instruments and mixing and passing materials
• Ensure all lab work is checked and available prior to patients arrival
• Develop and file all x-rays, whilst adhering to the relevant safety procedures
• Maintaining a clean environment during surgery
• Maintain and clean all equipment as per the manufacturer’s instructions
• Use the checklists provided outlining a schedule of daily and weekly tasks
• Escort the patient from the surgery and when necessary to the reception area.
• Switch equipment on in the morning and ensure it is switched off again at the end of each working session
• Ensure that adequate stocks of expendable drugs, materials and instruments are available
• Ensure that all breakdowns are reported to the practice manager
• Immediately report any breach of cross infection controls or bad practice to the Practice Manager

BUSINESS FOCUS

• Be aware of the Company business strategy
• Provide optimum use of all surgery time. 
• Maintain equipment and adopt efficient use of materials
• Proactively sell consumables in the Practice
• When required, take payment from patients in line with Company policy

ENVIRONMENT

• Ensure waiting areas, corridors, stairs and immediate external areas are kept tidy and free of hazards in line with Health & Safety requirements
• Remove waste regularly
• Be vigilant and always report any problem or concerns to the Practice Manager immediately

This is a description of the role as it is presently constituted. It is the practice of the Company to examine job descriptions from time to time and to update as necessary to ensure they relate to the role being performed, or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed in line with the Company’s requirements. Any changes would be made following discussion with you.

SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS

• An interest in the provision of dentistry and a basic knowledge of the profession
• Undertake appropriate training to gain a qualification to enable registration with the GDC.
• Knowledge of MS Office applications

KEY COMPETENCIES

Customer Focus - Understanding who internal & external customers are & their requirements. Thinks about the “customer’s perspective” & focuses on delivering a quality service that meets/exceeds customer/patient expectations.

Communication – Expresses themselves clearly & effectively verbally or in writing whilst delivering key messages to others. Deals with queries effectively. Shows evidence of active listening when communicating both face to face & over the telephone.

Team Working -The ability to work co-operatively, as opposed to working separately or competitively, with either the immediate practice team or other colleagues working together towards the same goal.

Personal Effectiveness and Organisation - Demonstrates initiative, self confidence, organisation skills & is willing to take responsibility for their actions to deliver a high quality service.

Drive and Motivation - Enthusiastic and committed, demonstrates drive to do things better, more efficiently & effectively, to improve performance & to exceed goals & targets.

We will review this Job Description and it may include any other duties and responsibilities we determine in consultation with the jobholder.

The hours will be full time over 5 days.