Orthodontic Therapist

Job overview

Provide an orthodontic service implementing care plans and performing non-complex orthodontic procedures.

Provide a specialist contribution to the clinical management of patients requiring orthodontic treatment working in collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals in order to improve patient care.

Conduct research and audit on delivery of patient care.

Facilitate, participate in audit and quality assurance programme, and promote evidence based practice.

Responsible for the teaching, mentoring and assessment of students, trainees and professional staff therefore promoting a learning culture

Main duties of the job

Direct fundamental and advanced orthodontic therapy duties within Trust policies, procedures and guidelines reporting to the Orthodontic Consultants, departmental manager and/or matron, providing feedback of issues or concerns.

Ensuring patients meet the oral health standards for on-going treatment.

Discuss and inform patients of the indications for on-going treatment. Discuss risks, benefits of treatment and possible additional procedures required.

Discuss risks and benefits of treatment and level of cooperation required by patient.

Safely carry out complex orthodontic procedures as requested by the orthodontist.

Assess patient’s complex needs (physical, psychological, social and spiritual) to establish change in condition, work with the Consultant Orthodontist to inform clinical decision making and plan care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Quickly assess and respond to patients needs in emergency situations.

Develop skills that will lead to precision and accuracy in carrying out orthodontic treatments.

Develop risk assessment skills to enable learner to identify when there may be potential for damage to oral health and soft tissues of the oral cavity.

Assess oral health education needs of each patient providing individual advice and information in orthodontic procedures as appropriate.

In collaboration with the Consultant, patient and their family, as appropriate, identify their individual care needs and beliefs when formulating a management plan ensuring a holistic approach to care.

Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive information where there may be barriers to acceptance which need to be overcome using developed interpersonal communication skill such as would be required in communicating bad news.

Directs and develops systems and models of clinical and evidence based care which contribute to the quality of the patients experience.

Contributes to the performance management through the efficient delivery of fundamental and advanced care.

Works as part of the multidisciplinary team fostering good interdepartmental relationships and helping to achieve high morale for patients and staff and continuous quality improvement.

Continuously develops clinical skills and knowledge within the clinical specialty. Uses knowledge and skills to promote a learning environment, ensuring continuity and current/relevant practice to all and the provision of quality care to patients.

Leads and promotes programmes of health education and health promotion and involves patients and carers appropriately in decision-making.

Actively participates in all aspects of the clinical governance process.

Actively promotes infection control, environmental safety and risk management.

Works within national policy frameworks relevant to the patient group and specialty area i.e. Child Protection, Vulnerable Adults, Mental Health Act.

Participates and supports national strategy for service development i.e. National Service Frameworks, Cancer Plan & Collaboratives,

Takes individual responsibility and recognises corporate responsibility for the clinical team in NHS Agendas i.e. Investors in People, Agenda for Change, Improving Working Lives, Learning together Working Together, Patient & Public Involvement.

Identifies and promotes the need for change, working with departmental lead in development of orthodontic therapy/service. Motivates the clinical team to embrace change and manage the change process.

Promotes and supports the maintenance of a cohesive multi-disciplinary and multi-organisational team.

Assists in the development of new initiatives clinical policies, protocols and clinical pathways and evaluates the patient outcomes.

Actively participates in departmental meetings.

With departmental leads, promotes a learning environment/culture for all staff and students including the use of E-learning, whilst providing evidence of achievement.

Will have involvement in teaching, supervising, mentoring and assessing all grades of staff undertaking continuing development and students undertaking programmes leading to professional qualification.

Participates in clinical supervision and acts as a supervisor of others.

Responsible for own mandatory training within required timescales, meets training requirements and achieves timely update.

Responsible for the implementation of evidence based orthodontic therapy care.

Develops and implements a strategy for evaluation of health care interventions.

Disseminates best practice through written publications and/or presentations both internally and externally, as appropriate.

Assists the Orthodontic consultants in delivering the R&D developmental plan for the department in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Initiates and co-ordinates clinical audit.