Senior Dental Technician (Restorative)

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our UHBW Dental Production Laboratories for a forward-thinking Senior Dental Technician to work with our Restorative (Crown and Bridge) Laboratory team at Bristol Dental Hospital.

The post holder is responsible for the design, planning and construction of an extensive range of highly complex custom-made functional, fixed and removeable dental/oro-facial appliances within one of the specialist dental technology departments within the Bristol Dental Hospital - Production Laboratories service, comprising Conservation, Orthodontics Prosthodontics and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.

The post holder will be expected to take on a leading role in the expansion of digital workflows, develop new skills in line with experience, new practices, qualifications and will also have a commitment to continuing professional development.

Applications are invited from Dental Technicians who are fully registered with the General Dental Council and hold a recognised academic qualification in dental technology. We encourage applications from dental technicians whether your experience and background is based in a commercial dental laboratory or NHS hospital setting.

This is an exciting time to join the team at Bristol Dental Hospital, as we embark on a journey of modernisation, which has seen recent investment in state-of-the-art digital planning software and 3D printing technology.

• To construct an extensive range of highly complex, specialised custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances.
• To utilise CAD/CAM technology to design and manufacture highly complex fixed and removeable appliances
• Collaborate directly with clinicians and patients to provide technical advice, discuss case requirements and develop innovative appliances and custom solutions to ensure effective service delivery.
• Provide cover and assist the Chief Dental Technician (Laboratory Manager) in all areas that may be required, including prioritisation and organisation of workload.
• To be responsible for the supervision of any Technicians that may be recruited and any students that may be allocated to the department.
• To assist with rostering, off duty periods and holiday cover to ensure smooth running of the Laboratory.
• Participate in the development and implementation of laboratory policies.
• Carry out basic maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Order stock on the Trust system.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records for audit purposes and compliance with UK Medical Devices Regulation.
• Assist with research projects, surveys & audits of the service as required.
• Regularly required to maintain prolonged concentration throughout the fabrication of appliances and models.

Working for our organisation

Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons)/BTEC Diploma/HNC in Dental Technology or equivalent. (E)
• Post-graduate qualification or equivalent experience in relevant dental specialty e.g. fixed prosthodontics, maxillofacial technology
• Registration with the General Dental Council as Dental Technician
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in the design and production of highly complex, specialised custom-made dental/oro-facial appliances
• A broad theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of specialised technical procedures within appropriate discipline
• Thorough knowledge of the application of computer aided design & computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) techniques relevant to associated dental technology
• Understanding the varied nature of the materials, various acrylics, silicone materials and metals and how they work together
• Experience of training/assisting junior staff/students
• Knowledge and awareness of UK Medical Devices Regulation

• Experience of presenting cases to other dental professionals
• Experience in a hospital environment, treating a range of challenging cases to a very high standard

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to analyse complex treatment plans, interpret detailed laboratory prescriptions and devise appropriate solutions, including the design and fabrication of new dental appliances
• Prolonged computer use requiring keyboard skills for word processing
• Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians to manage non-routine aspects of appliance fabrication
• Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances when occasionally dealing with patients with oro-facial abnormalities or terminal illness

Aptitudes

• Willingness to work within a team
• Self-motivated
• Good interpersonal skills
• To have excellent communication skills both orally and written
• Able to develop or suggest improvements within the team
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills / appliance types and designs and to follow suitable pathways of continuous professional development
• Values and respects others, treats everyone as an individual, non-judgemental

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.