Job Overview

To provide clinical and team management of professional Dental Nursing staff and support delivery of clinical services within the Dental Service.

This post is based in Aylesbury with regular travel across Dental sites including Amersham, High Wycombe, and Milton Keynes.

The postholder will line manage nurses in the Out of Hours (OOH) service and therefore will need to complete management and clinical supervision during the OOH hours. This will mean adjusting the working day at times to accommodate this.

The postholder will be responsible for the line management of the Dental Nurses and Patient Administration Manager, assisting when required with the supervision of the reception staff.

The successful candidate will be required to carry out regular dental nursing duties working with patients who may have a range of additional needs. Depending on qualifications and experience, they may work within specialist areas such as sedation, general anaesthetics, domiciliary, or secure unit environments.

Working with other Dental Nurse Managers in the service to provide cover across the service. The post holder must have a full GDC registration, management qualification (or equivalent experience), and at least one post-qualification such as radiography, special care, or IV sedation.

Main Duties of the Job

• To provide a comprehensive clinical leadership relating to service delivery including management of HR issues and performance.
• To provide professional leadership and oversight of practice to the Dental Nurse team, provide supervision, and develop clinical skills within the dental nursing team.
• To support maintenance of high standards of dental nursing within the dental service, including decontamination, cross infection control, clinical audit, and other governance processes related to dental nursing.
• To liaise with the Dental Senior Leadership Team to ensure that staffing and governance processes reflect the needs of staff and the service.
• To deputise as required for the Dental Operational Manager.
• To cross cover for other Dental Nurse Managers during periods of absence.
• The post holder is required to work at a level of autonomy that may require making decisions related to the organization of resources and service provision, e.g., monitoring resources, stock, and skill mix, providing reports, etc., in order that senior management may arrive at informed decisions.
• Responsible for supporting the Patient Admin Manager with EDI claims.
• Responsible for approving stock orders and handling financial data.

Working for Our Organisation

• Maintain the highest standards of care and service, taking responsibility not only for the care you personally provide but also for your wider contribution to the aims of your team and the NHS as a whole.
• Be aware of and follow at all times the relevant National and Local codes of practice in relation to their role and function. If you are in a post that requires registration with a professional body, you are required to maintain that registration with the appropriate professional body.
• Protect the confidentiality of personal information that you hold unless...

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

• Undertake regular clinical activity to maintain clinical skills.
• Clinical dental nursing including delivery of specialist skills (e.g., radiography, special care, and/or sedation) in a range of settings, including clinics, general hospitals, domiciliary care, and prisons.
• Ability to use technical and observational skills when monitoring and treating patients.
• Supervision and support for clinical dental nursing staff who are undertaking training programs to gain additional skills. This may include portfolio sign-off and mentoring as appropriate.
• Role model appropriate leadership behaviors.
• Involved in business planning and provides data and reports as necessary.
• Ability to represent dental nurses as a professional group at various Trust-wide fora.
• Oversee student placements within the service.
• Support and maintain a learning environment at work, including identification of individual and team learning and development needs. This will include liaison with the Dental Senior Leadership Team with responsibility for Training & Development.
• Supporting the Dental Senior Leadership team to initiate any changes associated with clinical and service policies/procedures.
• Interprets and implements organizational policy as well as available standards and such as DoH policy and guidance along with Dental Leadership Team for service.
• Accountable to the Dental Senior Leadership Team for provision and delivery of service to users.
• Support service delivery by ensuring that clinics are staffed to appropriate levels.
• Completion of management and performance reporting within appropriate timescales.
• Management of leave and absence issues within the dental nursing workforce, and escalating concerns appropriately to the dental Senior Leadership Team.
• Ensuring all equipment is in working order and maintained appropriately. Ensure that maintenance contracts are in place and reviewed annually.
• Maintenance of cross-infection control processes and adherence to service and Trust policies on decontamination of instruments.
• Direct line management of Dental Nursing staff and clinical admin staff, including appraisals, supervision, and development of clinical skills as well as dealing with HR aspects including disciplinary and grievance matters and recruitment and selection decisions.
• To facilitate team meetings/service improvement meetings and ensure information is disseminated in a timely manner.
• Participation in audit and other activities to support effective governance procedures within the service and Trust.
• Contribute to the maintenance of Service guidelines, policies, and procedures including the review of policies as necessary.
• Management of patient data and entry of information on Carestream Sensei dental system.
• Responsible for the management of appraisal and supervision information and records including reviewing and reporting monthly appraisal and mandatory training data and ensuring that Dental staff are appropriately trained and supported to practice safely.
• Submits internal returns such as CQC quarterly returns.
• Responsible for associated tasks such as ensuring BSA are in receipt of clinical dental claims.
• The post holder must maintain high standards in relation to confidentiality of information relating to staff and patients.
• There will be a responsibility to investigate and manage incidents and complaints.
• Attendance at operational and other relevant meetings as requested both within the dental service and wider Trust.
• The Dental Nurse Manager will be required to liaise with other agencies to assist in the efficient delivery of dental services, e.g., Hospitals, Secure Unit personnel, GDP’s, etc.
• The postholder will manage effective communications with a range of people in a range of clinical and non-clinical situations, including dental staff, other Trust staff and departments, and partners in other NHS Trusts and agencies.
• The postholder should be able to demonstrate ability to adapt communication style to best effect in different situations and audiences and will require negotiation and persuasive skills.
• Will be expected to undertake conversations of a sensitive and confidential nature relating to staff performance and other HR processes.
• There will be a requirement to discuss sensitive or emotive issues when necessary with patients and colleagues including complex condition-related information.
• Deals with conflicting views where there may be significant issues such as transitional change.
• Deals with staff issues and initial response to patient complaints in challenging situations.
• Accurate and contemporaneous records should be maintained in relation to appraisals and 1-1 meetings, patient records, and service information systems.
• On occasion gives formal presentations based on professional knowledge and clinical skills.
• To demonstrate the application of the principles of ethical behavior relevant to dentistry, including honesty, confidentiality, personal and professional integrity, and compliance with the standards for dental professionals laid down by the GDC.
• To take responsibility for own continuous professional development, maintaining professional knowledge and competence in line with the personal development plan agreed at annual appraisal.
• Demonstrate a professional approach, including participation in appraisal, peer review, clinical audit, and continuing professional development activities.
• Up to date knowledge and skills in clinical techniques and their application in accordance with the General Dental Council’s requirement for lifelong learning.
• To gain required security clearance to work in secure settings.
• Attend mandatory training as required by CNWL and the Dental Service.
• Have and maintain full registration with the General Dental Council and complete CPD in line with GDC requirements.
• Take responsibility for personal development.
• Have a commitment to high professional standards.
• Be able to travel to work at other dental sites, some of which are not easily served by public transport and therefore the post holder would be expected to make necessary travel arrangements to meet these needs.
• To contribute to and lead on quality improvement projects and clinical governance.