Dental Nurse Apprentice
Job overview
Are you an enthusiastic individual with a keen desire to start an exciting new career?
We are looking for suitable candidates to train as dental nurse apprentices at the Birmingham Dental Hospital in Edgbaston – one of the country’s leading centres of dental training and research.
You will need excellent communication skills, a professional and efficient manner and the self-motivation to learn while you earn on a salaried course, commencing in September 2025.
Applicants must have a minimum of 3, Level 4 GCSE grades or above (GCSE grade C or above) including Maths, English and preferably a Science subject or equivalent qualifications. Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the role of a dental nurse and a keen interest in working in healthcare.
Please note, if you require or are on a visa you will need to ensure you are cleared to work for the entire duration of the course (4 September 2025 - 3 March 2027). If you do not have a visa for the length of the course, you will unfortunately be unable to continue with this role.The Trust do not provide sponsorship for this post.
For more information please contact 0121 466 5163 or [email protected]
Main duties of the job
Apprentices will experience all disciplines of dentistry and receive onsite support through formal lectures, one to one tutorials and specialised placement opportunities across the West Midlands.
During the apprenticeship period, you will work towards achieving a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.
Working for our organisation
IMPORTANT- Please ensure you check your TRAC account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you during the shortlisting and selection process.
- Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS, telephone contact details and postal address
Be Part of Our Team...
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) has more than 5000 staff working across Birmingham and the West Midlands in a wide range of community nursing and specialist healthcare roles. BCHC delivers over 100 clinical services, in people's homes, health centres, clinics and inpatient facilities.We deliver a wide range of services for children, young people, parents and families as well as adults and community services, two community hospitals, services for people with learning disabilities, the internationally recognised West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre and one of Europe’s leading Dental Hospitals and School of Dentistry.
We deliver all of this with a commitment to integrated, personalised care that is rooted in our local communities. We have an ambition to deliver outstanding, integrated care as one of the key NHS providers in the West Midlands.
If you want to ‘Be Part of Our Team’ and work with a Foundation Trust which is continuously striving for better care and healthier communities, we want to hear from you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Complete Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing course work / units by specified deadlines.
- Adhere to the principles within The General Dental Councils Student Fitness to Practice guidance which promotes a positive approach to professional behaviour among dental care professionals and to help education providers deal with issues which call into question whether a student is fit to practice in dentistry.
- Maintain a high standard of patient care and professionalism.
- Mix materials and assist clinicians and staff in all aspects of dentistry with support - subject to ability and knowledge.
- Receive training on all clinical departments.
- Communicate with Senior Dental Nurses/Dental Nurse Managers whilst on secondment to departments.
- Ensure that Statutory Employment Procedures and relevant Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) Policies & Procedures are adhered to, including safety procedures and Infection Prevention Control.
- Preparation of dental equipment and the cleaning of specialist units to meet Infection Prevention Control policies and procedures, as required.
- Attend tutorials, lectures, examinations and training commitments as required to meet the learning outcomes of the programme.
- Complete clinical rotation including work experience.
- To undertake other duties that commensurate with this grade of post, in agreement with the relevant line manager.
- To minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible, including recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying, reducing water usage and reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel. Where the role includes the ordering and use of supplies or equipment the post holder will consider the environmental impact of purchases.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- 3 GCSE’s Level 4 or above grades or 3 GCSE grade C or above English and Maths (essential) Science (desirable) or equivalent qualifications
- GCSE Level 4 or above in a Science related subject
- healthcare or customer service sector training/qualification
Skills/Knowledge
Essential criteria- Eager and committed to learning
- A knowledge of BCHC Dental Services
Experience
Essential criteria- Evidence understanding of team working
- Computer literate
- Knowledge of the Dental Nurse role
- Previous experience in the healthcare or customer service sector
Personal Qualities
Desirable criteria- Evidence of knowledge about the course/career opportunities
Other job requirements
Essential criteria- Ability to travel to work and other locations as required
Disability Confident Employer and Guaranteed Interview Scheme
BCHC offers a guaranteed interview to any candidate who is Disabled, Neurodiverse, has a hidden or long term health condition as recognised under the Equality Act 2010, providing they meet the essential criteria of the job role, as set out in the person specification.We encourage applicants to submit their applications and to request any reasonable adjustments where required.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Birmingham is a fantastic place to live and we serve a wide range of people and communities. BCHC are an advocate of diversity and strive to mirror the community we serve as much possible.
We are committed to and actively promote equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals from all areas of the community who meet the specific criteria are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage/civil partnerships.
Promoting Workforce Equality
In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under-represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics.As part of this commitment and given this under-representation, the Trust guarantees an interview to any applicants from under-represented groups for positions at Band 8a and above whose application meets the essential criteria for the post as detailed on the Person Specification.
The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people who identify as Black, Minority Ethnic (BME) and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on the basis of merit. In order to ensure the diversity of our workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.
Flexible Working
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible (given our range of services and community settings) dependent upon the requirements associated with the role, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible.This may include hybrid patterns of working to enable colleagues to request the flexibility of a mixture of home/base working.
In accordance with the NHS People Promise, the Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a ‘Great Place to Work’. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!
Using Artificial Intelligence
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust acknowledges Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini etc; are powerful tools that can help you in various stages of your job application and how they can be used in certain circumstances during your application process with BCHC.You can read more about acceptable use on our internet pages here
Benefits of working for us:
- Full NHS terms and conditions including extensive holidays, Agenda for Change pay with enhancements
- Attractive relocation payment if you relocate to the local area.
- Discounts for local and national retailers
- Dedicated well-being services for all employees
- Flexible working where possible