Job overview
One or two part-time (0.2/0.4 WTE), Dental Hygienists or Therapists to work in the Restorative Department with Head & Neck Cancer (HANC) working every week has become available within the Restorative Department at Barts Health Trust to cover a maternity locum. This part-time post and will be based within the Dental Hospital at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel. Days are likely to be Tuesday and Thursday though there may be some flexibility.
Barts Health is a provider for advanced Restorative Dentistry, to patient groups including Cancer, Hypodontia, Cleft and Trauma. The Restorative Department is a Centre of Excellence in the management of patients requiring specialist restorative care.
The post entails providing hygiene and treatments to cancer patients within your scope of practice in the Restorative Department under the direction and guidance of the Consultants.
Applicants should possess full registration with the General Dental Council (UK) and be registered as a Dental Hygienist or Therapist with the General Dental Council; knowledge and clinical experience in secondary care are also essential. Please see attached Job Description.
For further details and an informal discussion, please contact:
Dr Claire Morgan, HANC Consultant via email please label your enquiry HYGIENE/THERAPY POST
Main duties of the job
The post holder will join a specialist restorative dentistry team, working under the guidance of consultants to deliver high-quality care to a complex and vulnerable patient group. They will be responsible for providing oral health education, periodontal treatment and restorative dental care for patients with head and neck cancer. This includes support and treatment through all stages of their restorative care pathway (pre and post cancer treatment, involving surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy).
In addition to clinical duties, the post holder will ensure effective communication with referring practitioners and managing correspondence related to the clinics. They will operate within a supportive, multidisciplinary team and contribute to delivering care within the 18-week treatment pathway, under the direction of departmental clinicians. Registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) is a requirement and the individual will be expected to uphold GDC standards and guidelines including compliance with professional conduct and disciplinary procedures.
Working for our organisation
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain’s leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Degree or Diploma in Dental Hygiene or Therapy or an equivalent recognised qualification.
2. GDC registered as a Dental Therapist
Desirable criteria
3. Holds an further qualification in a specialised area of Dental practice.
Experience
Essential criteria
4. A qualified Dental Hygienist or Therapist with with experience of working in a hospital setting and demonstration of the ability to independently manage a patient caseload.
Desirable criteria
5. Experience of working with Head and Neck Cancer patients.
6. Exposure to multidisciplinary team working in complex patient care pathways.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
7. Comprehensive understanding of dental anatomy, pathology, and oral disease prevention.
8. Knowledge of current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice in dental therapy.
9. Awareness of NHS dental service frameworks and referral pathways.
Desirable criteria
10. Understanding of interdisciplinary care in complex cases involving medical or surgical teams.
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Communicates effectively and works collaboratively within a team, maintaining positive working relationships with dental, medical and allied health professionals.
Desirable criteria
12. Has been involved in audit and QI to improve a service.
Other
Essential criteria
13. Adaptable and dependable team member, readily available to provide cover during colleagues’ absences.
14. Demonstrates a professional approach to work, with a strong record of reliability, consistent attendance and a neat, presentable appearance.
Desirable criteria
15. Proficient in using information technology and everyday computer applications.