Specialist Dental Nurse – Special Care Dentistry

Maintain a high standard of patient care supporting those with complex social and medical histories.Carry out all dental nurse activities using the full scope of practice and extended duties where indicated.Support with safe moving and handling of patients including the use of manual handling equipment such as hoists and carrying out risk assessments.Prepare clinical environments including all relevant patient records, radiographs, equipment and clinical materials.Receiving and preparing patients for treatment under the direction of the clinician.Be professionally responsible for ensuring high standards of infection prevention and control and decontamination processes.Assisting dental staff in the full range of dental treatments ensuring all relevant information about the patient, including changes of condition, is reported to the clinician.Provide high standards of nursing support for complex care under general anaesthetic and sedation within LUDH and LHCH with the expectation to travel to other sites.Responsible for the maintenance and preparation of sedation equipment for clinical use and ensure the smooth running of sedation clinics.Checking the patients fitness for discharge after sedation and providing post-operative informationFollowing LocSSIP guidelines and checks and participate in behavioural audits.

Act as the appropriate key holder as and when required.Point of care for INR and glucose testing.Support with clinical holding when indicated.Provide specialist pre and post operative advice and oral health education to patients.Carry out basic triage of patients and recording of pre-operative assessments such as height, weight and blood pressure.Awareness of current trends and changes in Health and Safety ensuring clinics adhere to regulations and follow guidelines.Management of clinical waste, dealing appropriately and safely with hazardous or toxic waste materials.Ensure any incidents or occurrences are reported appropriately and support with any follow up actions.Support the Senior Dental Nurse in maintaining a safe and efficient clinical environment.Any other duties consistent with the grade and as indicated by the Senior Dental Nurse.This job description is intended to be a guide of the general scope and duties required of the role and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive.

It is expected that some ofthe duties will change over time and this job description will be subject to review. Teaching and TrainingCarry out departmental inductions for all new staff and students of varying grades within the department.Responsible for appropriate teaching and mentoring activities for staff and students within the department.Liaise with the Senior Nurse/Dental Nurse Manager to ensure skill mix is available to support safe and efficient clinical sessions.Where required, carry out performance evaluations for staff undertaking training and document their progress in line with educational requirements.Assist with departmental audits and implementation of outcomes where appropriate.Keep up to date with contemporary developments within dentistry and changes inStandards for Conscious Sedation and update skills as required.Professional:To maintain effective communication and professional relationships with all areas of the department, other clinical areas within the hospital and external associates.Exercising leadership skills and acting as a role model to other members of staff helping to create high morale and good communication.Assisting with patient complaints and where possible, prevent or deescalate the situation in an appropriate manner.Participate in annual appraisals being aware of individual training needs and successfully completing set objectives and prepare a personal development plan.Undertake mandatory and role specific training within required timescales, meet training requirements and achieve timely update.Undertake relevant courses to continuously develop knowledge & skills and maintain records of CPD.Maintain GDC registration including a commitment to behave ethically, professionally and uphold the standards of the profession.The post holder will be required to communicate effectively across organisationalboundaries as required:InternalClinical & Non-Clinical staff at the Dental Hospital & University of Liverpool School of Dentistry.Communicate and liaise with patients, carers and all multidisciplinary staff across the organisation.Other relevant departments within the Trust, e.g. Estates, Supplies, HR, Fire, Infection ControlExternalOutside agencies as appropriate