Level 3 Apprentice Dental Nurse

Church Square Dental Practice

OLDBURY, B69 4DX

Closes on Monday 10 February

Posted on 18 December 2024


Summary

A fantastic opportunity has become available to become a dental nurse apprentice. You will provide clinical support to dentists, hygienists and patients under supervision, assist with reception or any clerical duties as required and perform such other tasks as reasonably requested by the practice owner.

Annual wage
£12,480 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)
Hours
Specific days and shifts are to be confirmed upon interview, with the practice.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Possible start date

Monday 17 February

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

The role includes:

  • Working alongside the dentist taking instruction from them and responding in an appropriate manner
  • Maintaining good infection control procedures and adhering to policies and protocols
  • Ensuring cleanliness of surgery, equipment and instruments used and carrying out general housekeeping duties
  • Dictate information from dentist and recording patient information correctly
  • Arrange appointments, answering calls and inputting data on the computer
  • Assist with administration tasks and ensure records are kept up to date and to maintain confidentiality at all times

Dental nurses interact daily with patients and therefore you must be able to make patients feel welcome and offer reassurance to anxious patients endeavouring to make their experience as comfortable as possible.

Where you’ll work

10A CHURCH SQUARE

OLDBURY

B69 4DX

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

WALSALL COLLEGE

Your training course

Dental nurse (integrated) (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
  • Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
  • Comply with current best practice guidelines
  • Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
  • Effectively manage own time and resources
  • Provide chair side support during dental procedures
  • Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
  • Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
  • Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
  • Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
  • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
  • Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
  • Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
  • Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
  • Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
  • Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
  • Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
  • Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
  • Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
  • Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
  • Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
  • Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
  • Take part in continuous professional development activities
  • Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
  • Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
  • Participate in quality improvement activities as required
  • Be collaborative and work as part of the team
  • Adhere to legal and ethical responsibilities in line with General Dental Council requirements
  • Take responsibility for the integrity of own actions and completed work, recognising the limits of your competence and experience
  • Comply with current best practice guidelines
  • Put patients’ interests first and act to protect them by working in a patient-centred way
  • Effectively manage own time and resources
  • Provide chair side support during dental procedures
  • Monitor, support and reassure patients throughout all aspects of their treatment, ensuring patient-centred care
  • Communicate appropriately, effectively and sensitively at all times and through all media
  • Respect patients’ dignity and choices and act without discrimination
  • Check that valid consent is obtained for all treatments and personal care delivery
  • Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
  • Work in the clinical environment in a safe and efficient manner
  • Select and prepare the correct equipment, instruments and materials
  • Carry out and record maintenance and testing of equipment in line with local policy, procedures and the scope of your own role
  • Manage and perform effective decontamination and infection control procedures complying with legislative, local and current best practice guidelines
  • Mix, handle, store and dispose of materials in line with manufacturers recommendations
  • Create and update accurate and current patient records, including social, medical and dental history, storing and archiving them securely and in line with legislation
  • Carry out processing of radiographs in line with local procedures and rules
  • Make effective decisions regarding the safety of patients when taking a radiograph
  • Deliver appropriate and current evidence-based oral and general health advice
  • Recognise and support action to deal with medical emergencies
  • Respond to medical emergencies and be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Take part in appraisal and ongoing review processes
  • Take part in continuous professional development activities
  • Reflect on how your daily practice complies with the General Dental Council requirements for continual improvement
  • Comply with personal development planning as specified by the General Dental Council
  • Participate in quality improvement activities as required
  • Be collaborative and work as part of the team

Your training plan

Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprenticeship Standard, which includes:

  • Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English (if required)
  • End-Point Assessment (EPA)
  • There will be limited sessions that will require college attendance at our Walsall Campus, during the training period. All other sessions remain virtual on a once weekly basis. 

Full-time apprentices will typically spend 15 months on-programme (before the gateway) working towards the occupational standard, with a minimum of 6 hours per week off the-job training. 

The purpose of the End-Point Assessment (EPA) is to test that an apprentice is fully capable of doing their job before they receive their apprenticeship certificate. It also helps to demonstrate that what an apprentice has learned can be applied in the real world.

EPA methods of examination examples:

  • Assessment method 1: Knowledge Test
  • Assessment method 2: Observation of Practice
  • Assessment method 3: Interview underpinned by a portfolio

The focus is now on the outcome of an apprenticeship and apprentices have to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers have identified they need.

Training is virtual once per week however there are x3 taught sessions that will require mandatory college attendance. Notice of these will be provided upon enrolment.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • English (Lang or Lit) (grade C/4)
  • Maths (grade C/4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

Require Hep B inoculation, DBS- Disclosure Barring Service required. There will be exposure to bodily fluids – blood, saliva etc. You will be dealing with nervous patients and children in a very busy and fast paced environment.

About this company

Church Square Dental Practice is the perfect choice for you! Whether your teeth are in need of a general check up, or you want veneers, we are here to help you. We've been open for more than 40 years, serving the people of Oldbury and Sandwell Valley area. We aim to provide a calming, welcoming and comfortable environment for your visit.

https://www.oldburydentist.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Once qualified you can register as a dental nurse with the General Dental Council. Progression routes are available, and you can study further in dental related qualifications at Level 4:

  • Radiography
  • Oral Health Practitioner
  • Sedation

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WALSALL COLLEGE

Kerry Hall

khall@walsallcollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000292750.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 10 February

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.