Lead Dental Nurse

Job overview

The post holder carries responsibility for the assessment and delivery of care for patients treated within the Oral Maxilla Facial (OMF) department. They are also accountable for resource management of the area including budgets, environment, and staffing, patient experience.

Responsible in ensuring the provision of excellent standards of nursing care and expertise, both in delivering direct patient care and in the support of other staff caring for our patients.

To supervise, manage and teach other nursing and non-nursing staff, acting as an excellent clinical role model and team leader to ensure quality care is delivered.

The post holder will have responsibility for the delivery and monitoring of high standards of nursing care to all patients in the department in accordance with relevant evidence based professional practice and Trust policies.

The post holder will work closely with the Senior Dental Nurse Manager to ensure all core responsibilities outlined in the job description are performed to the highest standard and service improvements that reflect best practice, evidenced through research and national recommendations and guidelines.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder carries continuing responsibility for the assessment and delivery of care for patients treated within the Oral Maxilla Facial (OMF) department. They are also accountable for resource management of the area including budgets, environment, and staffing, patient experience.
• To deputise for the Senior Dental Nurse Manager and liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team both within the organisation and with external stakeholders, to ensure care is delivered to the patient both effectively and efficiently.
• Actively involve others in communications between patients, their relatives and the multi-disciplinary team both within organisation and with external stakeholders and ensures excellent communication.
• Ensure work with the Trust /unit and ward policies in order to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.
• Have the in-depth knowledge with practical experience with in the OMFS. Have good hand hygiene and environmental cleaning in conjunction with Luton & Dunstable University Hospital Trust policies and procedures.
• Plan duty rotas to meet the requirements when needed.
• Initiates emergency treatment where necessary and co-ordinates other staff in this process.
• Ensures that all staff including temporary staff are aware of emergency procedures to follow.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The post holder carries continuing responsibility for the assessment and delivery of care for patients treated within the Oral Maxilla Facial (OMF) department. They are also accountable for resource management of the area including budgets, environment, and staffing, patient experience.
• To deputise for the Senior Dental Nurse Manager and liaise with members of the multi-disciplinary team both within the organisation and with external stakeholders, to ensure care is delivered to the patient both effectively and efficiently.
• Actively involve others in communications between patients, their relatives and the multi-disciplinary team both within organisation and with external stakeholders and ensures excellent communication.
• Ensure work with the Trust /unit and ward policies in order to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.
• Have the in-depth knowledge with practical experience with in the OMFS. Have good hand hygiene and environmental cleaning in conjunction with Luton & Dunstable University Hospital Trust policies and procedures.
• Plan duty rotas to meet the requirements when needed.
• Initiates emergency treatment where necessary and co-ordinates other staff in this process.
• Ensures that all staff including temporary staff are aware of emergency procedures to follow.
• LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION
• Provides clinical advice as required to staff, carers and junior colleagues which promotes clinical practice and reduces risk to patients.
• Participate in clinical training including teaching and supervision of new staff in the ward environment.
• Supports the education and development of all staff including students.
• Take part in education and training programmes appropriately and feeds back knowledge gained.
• To identify own clinical competency deficits, education and development needs, through participation in the Trust appraisal process.
• Undertake a minimum of once yearly appraisal with the ward manager for development planning.
• Sets standards for the department ensuring that high standards of nursing care, ward cleanliness, etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.
• Ensures the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients, relatives and colleagues is respected at all times.
• Ensures that all medical equipment is kept in a safe condition and is ready for use when required, and that faulty equipment is reported and/or replaced as necessary.
• Undertakes performance reviews and holds individuals to account by effectively challenging poor performance and documenting actions and outcomes in staff personal files.
• Manages sickness absence and conducts return to work interviews including formal sickness management meetings as per trust policy.
• To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to the trust. To act as a positive role model to the Team. Proactively seeks patients', carers' and families' feedback on the service provided by the team for example, FFT, PALS concerns, complaints and compliments.
• Maintains competent computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems.
• Ensures that the department is clean in line with the hygiene code; by monitoring as appropriate in partnership with the housekeeping services and Estates manager as required to maintain required standards.
• Plans duty rotas to meet the short and long term requirements of the clinical area considering the needs of the patients and the skill mix requirements in relation to demand/ capacity of the service. Escalates and records concerns with regard to staffing within the appropriate timescales.
• Respects the Equality and Diversity of Clients and Team.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.