Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Person Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum
Vitae, Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting the
vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the General
Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date. After the
closing date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this decision has
been made, all shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to attend for interview.
It is important that you check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been contacted
regarding interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application has been
unsuccessful and you will receive no further correspondence from Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk
NHS TAYSIDE – AGENDA FOR CHANGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job title
Senior Dental Nurse
Department / Location
Public Dental Service
Broxden Dental Centre
2. JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will work as leader of a team of qualified Dental Nurses and provide full
surgery and administrative support to Clinicians (PDS Dentists, Senior Dentists,
Orthodontists, Oral Surgeons, Training Grade Dentists, Dental Hygienist and Therapists).
The post will include all the duties normally expected of a Qualified Dental Nurse in terms of
chair/bed side, surgery and theatre clinical and administrative assistance. The post holder
will assist clinicians in providing specialist services eg intravenous sedation, radiography,
oral health promotion.
In addition the post holder will co-ordinate the deployment of the dental nurses in the team to
ensure clinical and administrative support is provided to the clinicians across a number of
surgery/theatre/mobile unit sites. Generally this will be managed on a hub and spoke model,
with a main multiple surgery (five or more chairs) and a number of smaller fixed or mobile
satellite services. These duties will include the granting of annual leave and general line
management and appraisal (eKSF) of the team members.
The post holder will oversee the purchase and stock control of supplies within their area of
responsibility.
3. ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Clinical Dental Director
Deputy Dental Director
Senior DO
Admin team
Technicians
Hygienist / Therapist
Clinical team
DAP team
Senior Dental Nurses
Dentist
Deputy SDN
Decon
Dental Nurses and
Trainee Dental Nurses
4. SCOPE AND RANGE
This service of 140 employees covers 12 clinics throughout Tayside. Care is provided in
clinics in Health Centres, Hospitals, and Mobile Dental Units. In addition to working in clinics,
domiciliary visits are also undertaken. The post holder is given a main base on appointment
but will be expected to work in any location within Tayside and with any clinician with any
type of patient undergoing a wide variety of treatment. There may be a requirement to work
on public holidays as part of providing emergency clinical cover.
The role of the Public Dental Service is to:
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Promote Oral Health
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Monitor the oral health of the population of Tayside
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Provide dental care for patients from priority groups
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Provide dental care for those unable to access care in a general practice setting
and referred patients.
These groups are:
Anyone with a physical or learning disability who has difficulty accessing care in general
dental practice.
Anyone with a medically compromising condition who has difficulty accessing care in a
general dental practice.
Any child whose family will not take them to the dentist.
Anyone with a mental illness who has difficulty accessing care in the general dental
practice.
Any patient in hospital
Anyone in a care home who cannot access care from the general dental practice
Anyone whose fear of dentistry prevents them from seeking dental treatment
Anyone referred, using the appropriate form, by his or her doctor, dentist, healthcare
worker, social service worker, or by a voluntary organization.
Safety net patients who cannot register with a general dental practice
Patients with drug and alcohol dependencies
High-risk patients.
Patients requiring orthodontic care
Patients requiring oral surgery.
5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
The comprehensive list of dental nurse duties is performed on a daily basis with the
exception of some clerical duties.
Management Duties
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Line management of the nurses within the team.
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Drawing up Dental Nurse duty rotas for clinical and other work.
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Deployment of these nurses to maintain appropriate levels of clinical and
administrative support for the clinicians in the team (dentists and hygienists). This
involves ensuring the best deployment of nurses with particular skills and
qualifications (eg. in sedation nursing) in support of the clinical staff.
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Granting leave in accordance with staff terms and conditions and in accordance
with the needs of the service.
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Managing change to duty rotas where redeployment is required at short notice to
cope with staff illness etc.
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Annual appraisal and eKSF of the nurses in the team.
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Monitoring the performance of the dental nurses at work and initiating any more
formal performance review if this is required.
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Training of new dental nurses in any procedures unique to the PDS e.g. The
National Dental Inspection programme in schools, Care Home Screening
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Programme.
Developing individual Personal Learning Plans for dental nurses.
Participating in the interview and appointment process for new dental nurses and
monitoring the induction of new dental nurses within the service.
Managing the initial informal stage of any grievance from the staff whom they line
manage.
Monitoring of sickness absence within the team, including conducting return to work
interviews and initiating any further more formal monitoring of sickness which may
be required.
Managing enquiries or complaints from patients and their carers/parents and other
health care professionals, which cannot be resolved by a dental nurse who is not in
a promoted post.
Checking invoices from dental laboratories and passing these for payment as the
“Authorised Signatory.”
Cash handling in relation to patient charges.
Supervision of the ordering of supplies and stock control within the clinics.
Ordering drugs, pharmacy sundries, dental materials etc to maintain appropriate
stock levels in clinics.
Oversight and responsibility for the maintenance of high standards of cross infection
control within all clinical sites in their area of responsibility.
Completion of paperwork in relation to staff sickness returns
Working with undergraduate dental students in outreach clinics
Managing staff when there are personal /professional/performance issues
Clinical Duties
 Provide chair-side encouragement with emotional and physical support to the patient and
assistance to clinicians so that the required high standard of treatment is maintained.
 Responsible for ensuring the dental surgery is maintained to a high standard eg reporting
of faulty equipment
 Preparation of the surgery, mobile dental unit, theatre as well as the domiciliary kit, which
would include setting out instruments for required procedures. Knowledge and skills
required for mixing the materials for the dental procedure are also necessary.
 Ensure decontamination of instruments as well as proper maintenance and storage. This
may involve liaison with HSDU (Hospital Sterilisation & Decontamination Unit) for central
decontamination of instruments, LDU (PDS Local Decontamination Units) and to
organise decontamination, packaging and transporting of all dental laboratory work.
 Assist with pre and postoperative care of patients and reinforce instructions given.
 Under the direction of the clinician, provide oral health instruction, encouragement,
knowledge and skills to improve the dental health of patients.
 Assist the dentist with treatment provided under Inhalation Sedation, and monitor the
patient during treatment
 Monitor/order supplies, materials, drugs and domiciliary equipment. Knowledge and
skills required for storing materials according to COSHH (Control of Substances
Hazardous to Health) guidelines.
 Maintain digital radiograph processor. Processing/storing radiographs.
 Ensure emergency equipment is regularly checked and maintained. Dealing with the
management of any medical emergency which may arise. Log faults of dental equipment
and report them to appropriate personnel.
 Use of manual handling knowledge and skills to ensure patient safety during treatment,
and to ensure safe transport of equipment
 Managing enquiries or complaints from patients and their carers/parents and other health
care professionals.
 This includes responsibility for the triage of patients.
 Assist with preparation for inspections of target populations including the transport and
use of a laptop computer and all equipment required for this activity.
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Good organisational skills in order to maintain an efficient clerical and administration
system to enable essential records, paperwork and data to be collated as well as patient
appointments to be coordinated (this includes logging all patient referrals), and for GP17
forms to be completed and forwarded for processing.
Preparation of NHS patient treatment estimates and accounts which involves arranging
and collecting payments from patients, including invoicing and receipting of patient
payments.
Ensures correct handling and availability of patient and other records.
Handles patient sensitive, confidential data including details of patient medical histories.
Balancing of cash books, and paying cash into NHS designated sites.
Dental Practice Board administration – filling out and ledgering of all paperwork specific
to the DPB for every patient contact. Scheduling and checking of all claims sent to the
DPB.
For those qualified to assist with treatment under intravenous sedation
 Assist the clinician in all aspects of conscious sedation.
 Prepares the dental surgery, including the preparation and selection of cannula,
syringes and sphygmomanometer.
 Takes blood pressure manually and using automatic equipment.
 Ensures placement of monitoring equipment eg pulse oximeter and blood pressure
cuff.
 Assists with venous cannulation.
 Undertakes simultaneous regular recording of intra-operative blood pressure, oxygen
saturation levels and pulse rate at initial appointment, during treatment and in the
recovery phase.
 Administers supplementary oxygen as necessary.
 Removes cannula.
 Monitors the patient throughout the treatment both clinically and via pulse oximeter
and sphygmomanometer.
For those qualified to undertake radiographic procedures
 Takes radiographs of patients, develops and implements radiography procedures as
prescribed by the dentist
 Is responsible for the safe use of specialist equipment used by self and others.
 Accountable for own professional actions as this work with patients is not directly
supervised.
 Positions and manoeuvres patient and equipment.
 Works with patients with various medical conditions.
 Ensure IRMER and local rules are adhered to at all times and that radiation
knowledge is kept up-to-date.
 Is responsible for completing log book at each radiographic session.
 Supports and oversees students taking radiographs
For those qualified in oral health promotion
 Carries out oral health promotion as required by the department eg at health fairs,
talks to care staff and parents groups
 Assists with toothbrushing and FVA programmes
6. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
A senior dental nurse will constantly communicate and liaise with patients, healthcare
professionals and others. Many of the patients seen in the Public Dental Service have
complex medical conditions and treatment plans as well as physical/learning disabilities
and/or mental health problems that can be a barrier to the patient understanding the dental
care they require, therefore excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential on
the part of the Dental Nurse Team Manager. These skills are required on a daily basis.
Internal
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Dental team members – work related issues
Tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive / personal issues which impact on staff
performance at work
Reporting of equipment breakdown to estates department
IT department – computer advice/queries
Purchasing/stores – enquiries and ordering
Voluntary organisations including hospital transport
Other healthcare professionals, referrals and information gathering in an advisory
capacity
Senior Dentists/Clinical Director regarding staff management issues, including regular
participation in departmental senior team meetings.
External
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Purchasing stores and equipment – enquiries and ordering
Patients and carers contact by telephone and mail regarding
queries/referrals/appointments
Patients (domiciliary visits), contact by phone and mail regarding queries / referrals /
appointments
Other healthcare professionals (nursing homes), referrals and information gathering
and arranging visits
Schools (to arrange dates/accommodation for visits)
Scottish Dental Practice Division – queries over patients treatment, prior approval and
costs
7. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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Must be a qualified dental nurse holding a National Examination Board for Dental
Nurses Certificate or equivalent.
Knowledge of a range of dental procedures acquired through training/experience to a
diploma level equivalent (acquired through a portfolio of evidence plus further
significant detailed knowledge of specialist procedures within the clinical area).
Extensive post qualification experience necessary
Valid driving licence and able to travel across Tayside
Clinical knowledge
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Detailed knowledge of oral anatomy
Detailed knowledge of dental and regional anatomy
Clinical dental charting of teeth and support structures
Body systems anatomy and physiology
Comprehensive knowledge and application of a wide range of dental materials and
instruments across the full spectrum of dental procedures
Understanding of behavioural sciences
Aetiology of oral and dental disease
Prevention of dental disease
Causes, transmission and control of infection
Knowledge and application of Health and Safety Legislation
Knowledge and application of NHS Tayside policies and procedures
Knowledge of Child Protection guidelines and processes
Awareness of Patient Confidentiality
Recognition and management of dental and medical emergencies
Education / Continual Professional Development
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Participate in personal and career development plan to maintain and develop
professional knowledge and skills in order to maximum the positive patient
experience and facilitate the achievement of learning outcomes for career grade staff
and undergraduate students.
Evidence of Continuing Professional development for specific responsibilities, eg
National Certificate in Dental Sedation Nursing, registered Cleanliness Champion,
Infection Control Link Nurse, Immediate Life Support, CPR cascade trainer, National
Certificate in Dental Radiography
Encourage the dental nurse team to take an active role in the development of the
profession supporting the delivery of national and local dental health strategies.
Participate fully in the training and development of student dental nurses identifying
priorities in learning needs and providing appropriate support for achievement of
learning outcomes.
Quality/Research and Development
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Participate fully in Clinical Governance projects and departmental meetings
Initiate and develop relevant professional clinical governance projects which improve
the patient experience and demonstrate safer environment and care delivery.
Acknowledge and promote evidence based practice.
Work within the ethical framework for dental nurses utilising the organisational
policies
and procedures to promote safe practice and effective care.
Participate in research and audit
8. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
8a – Equipment and Machinery
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Knowledge of various processes and procedures required operating and maintaining
a wide
range of specialist clinical dental equipment and machinery inclusive of:
Air driven dental rotary handpieces and ultrasonic scalers
Care and maintenance and of handpieces and ultrasonic scalers
Care and simple maintenance of dental unit delivery systems
Operation and care of specialist light cure equipment
Operation and care of Dental Amalgam machines
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Use of dental apex locator
Use, testing and operation of Pulse Oximeter
Use and operation manual and automatic BP recording systems
Use, operation and safety features, and testing of Quantiflex Inhalation Sedation
machine
Use and application of Defibrillator and medical emergency equipment
Use and operation of dental radiography processing equipment
Information Technology
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Use of email, intranet and fax systems
Fault finding on a wide range of complex dental equipment plus knowledge of estates
reporting systems
Use of various systems including EDI, SSTS, PECOS, R4
Manoeuvring and decontamination of:
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Dental domiciliary/inspection kits
X-ray machine/x-ray viewer – for radiographic diagnosis
Curing light – for setting of restorations
Hoist, wheelchair and manual handling aids – to assist with the manual handling of
patients with poor mobility
Inhalation sedation equipment i.e. Quantiflex MDM machine, breathing circuits and
cylinders – used for anxious patients requiring sedation
Pulse oximeter – for use in sedation clinics to monitor heart rate and oxygen
saturation when required
Emergency equipment – including oxygen and drugs required to manage medical
emergencies
Sphygmomanometer – blood pressure monitor
Scavenging equipment – removal of waste gases from surgery
8b – Systems
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Electronic patient record and management system
Management of a recall system
Ordering of supplies
Maintenance of patient records and keeping information in a secure environment
Storage and archive of patient records.
Processing and reporting of patient complaints to appropriate department
Entering information for the National Dental Inspection Programme onto computer
database
Completion of supplies non stock requisition for authorisation
Completion of monthly data for statistics
Reporting faulty equipment
Authorised signatory for passing of Laboratory Invoices for payment.
Collation of reports and returns from both dental nurses and clinicians within the
team.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records and are public
records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This includes email messages and
other electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep appropriate records of your
work in NHS Tayside and manage those records in keeping with the NHS Tayside Records
Management Policy and with any guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to your employment.
9. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical
 Walking, sitting or standing for long periods of time in uncomfortable and difficult
positions. This is a daily requirement and this type of work will be required for more
than half the shift on most clinical days.
 Carrying and transporting heavy equipment (domiciliary kits, school inspection kits,
emergency equipment including oxygen cylinders). Generally this will happen on at
least a monthly basis and at some points in the year on more than one occasion in a
single week. Typical weight of a kit would be 7-10 kg.
 Mobile Dental X-Ray unit – manoeuvring of awkward machinery
 Setting up mobile units
 Hoisting/transferring of patients with mobility problems
 Speed and accuracy (manipulation and mixing of materials to a precise format)
 High degree of manual dexterity required to work with clinicians undertaking a wide
range of dental procedures.
 Skill in the manipulation of fine sharp instruments within the oral cavity.
 Keyboard skills
 Lifting and renewing cylinders onto Inhalation Sedation machines (Weight in the
range of 10 kg.)
Mental and emotional
 Pressure from demanding workload including travel between various /unfamiliar
clinics and domiciliary settings.
 Negotiating with schools to book dates for access to pupils to carry out the National
Dental Inspection Programme and reconciling the needs of the schools with those of
the Public Dental Service.
 Addressing the problems of working and dealing with patients in areas of social
deprivation especially where it is felt there may be child protection issues.
 100% concentration required when dealing with patient’s care
 Being able to remain focused during prolonged clinical procedures with on many
occasions, frequent interruptions from staff and/or patient enquiries.
 Dealing with the public and providing empathy and support
 Pressure from working with patients who may be medically compromised or have
special needs and have severely challenging behaviour, because of mental illness or
learning disability, including violent behaviour.
 Pressure involved in responsibility for supervision of dental nurses working at sites
away from the main locality base.
 Need to make decisions on priority for dental nurse support between clinicians at
times when not all demands can be met eg. during periods of staff illness.
 Handles confidential information in relation to members of staff within the team.
 Handles confidential information in relation to patients on a daily basis.
 Frequent (fortnightly on average) working in nursing homes with frail elderly and/or
terminally ill patients.
 Working with multiple grades of clinical staff (dentists, therapists and hygienists) and
with undergraduate students and post-graduate trainees.
 Supporting staff in times of professional or personal difficulty.
 Requirement to manage staff and facilitate reconciliation in interpersonal disputes
and to motivate and support staff during periods of major service change.
Environmental
 Radiation – from radiographic equipment (daily)
 Working in cramped and confined spaces in Mobile units or patients’ homes in all
extremes of weather (weekly)
 Sharps – risk of needle stick injury (daily)
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Chemical spillage – working with potentially hazardous materials (daily)
Daily exposure to saliva
Daily exposure to blood – risk of contamination from blood born viruses eg HIV,
HepB, HepC
Occasional exposure to spillage of blood and other body fluids e.g. vomit.
Occasional need to assist patients in the toilet.
Aggression – patients with unpredictable behaviour
Working with substances hazardous to health.
Prolonged exposure to N2O (weekly)
10. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
As a manager of a team of dental nurses be competent in managing day to day
decisions which reflect the daily function of the service.
 Arranging and organising the workload of the clinician for whom the post holder
provides clinical support.
 Working without direct supervision on a daily basis and accepting responsibility and
accountability for his or her professional actions and decisions.
 Ability to prioritise personal workload without supervision.
 Managing enquiries and complaints from patients, carers, and health care
professionals, which include the responsibility for the triage of patients.
 Having the knowledge of when to refer to a senior member of staff for further advice.
 Ability to anticipate the needs of patient and clinician and be able to respond promptly
and efficiently.
 Problem solving e.g. cancellation and rebooking of patient appointments.
 Ability to evaluate stock requirements.
 Ensuring best use of team members’ time and equitable distribution of workload so
far as is possible among members of the team.
 Training new staff and assessing when they have attained the competency to
undertake a given task without direct support.
 Where redeployment of staff is required at short notice, making a priority judgement
about which clinics are to be allocated staff and which will need to be cancelled.
11. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
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Working within a constantly changing environment
Working within an environment with adults and children with severely challenging
behaviour, including anxious and mentally ill patients and their unpredictable
behaviour.
Prioritising your workload.
Allocating priority for staff redeployment at short notice.
Working to time critical deadlines on a regular basis eg. the processing of monthly
returns
Acting as intermediary between the clinicians (dentists and hygienists) and the dental
nurse team.
Stress induced by contacting unsuccessful candidates following job interviews to offer
feedback on interview performance.
POST REF NO:
D/LB/34/14
JOB TITLE AND GRADE:
Senior Dental Nurse, Band 5
LOCATION:
Public Dental Service
Broxden Dental Centre, Perth
HOURS:
37.5 per week
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EXPERIENCE:
Extensive post-qualification
experience in dental nursing
PDS/GDS experience
Dealing with cash
Staff deployment and
management
QUALIFICATIONS:
(Training; Research;
Publications)
Recognised UK dental nurse
qualification
Further formal qualification
Registration with GDC
KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLS:
Excellent communication skills –
oral and written
Ability to work unsupervised,
demonstrating initiative and
judgement
Efficient time and people
management skills
Completion of GP17
Comprehensive knowledge
of R4
Comprehensivek nowledge
of EDI
Experience of screening
programmes
Ability to delegate appropriately
Ability to empower staff
Computer literate
Significant experience of
working in diverse settings
(domiciliary, schools,
theatres etc)
Leadership skills
PERSONAL QUALITIES:
Good team worker
Punctual and flexible
OTHER:
(eg travel across Tayside)
Ability to travel
Valid full UK driving licence
General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
D/LB/34/14
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
Senior Dental Nurse, Band 5
LOCATION:
Broxden Dental Centre, Perth
Conditions of Service
Remuneration
Hours of Duty
Superannuation
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those
determined by the NHS Staff Council.
The current salary scale for the post is £21,602 to £28,180 per
annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale on
appointment is normally at the minimum but may be higher
subject to verification of previous relevant service.
Salary is paid monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 37.5 per week.
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16 and
70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable pay,
which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example, overtime
or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.14 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,431
£15,432 to £21,387
£21,388 to £26,823
£26,824 to £49,472
£49,473 to £70,630
£70,631 to £111,376
£111,377 and over
Annual Leave
Contribution
5%
5.6%
7.1%
9.3%
12.5%
13.5%
14.5%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions. NHS Tayside also makes a substantial
contribution towards scheme benefits – currently around 14% of
basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4
weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6
weeks per year
References
Occupational Health
Clearance
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions) (Scotland)
Order 2003
Disclosure Scotland
Immigration, Asylum
and Nationality Act
2006
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two
satisfactory references.
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National
Health Service are subject to a medical examination.
Medical examinations are arranged and undertaken by the
Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings or
any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing in
employment as detailed on the application form.
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically debar
you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside. Careful
consideration will be given to the relevance of the offence to the
particular post in question. However, if you are appointed, and it
is found that you did not reveal a previous conviction your
employment may be terminated.
The successful applicant will be required to become a member
of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) in respect of
regulated work with protected adults and regulated work with
children.
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone who does not
have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific original
documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth certificate
together with an official document giving the applicants
permanent National Insurance Number and name issued by a
Government Agency or a previous employer, as well as
photocopies of these documents.
Professional Registration/you should have current and continuing professional registration
Induction Standards & with GDC and hold the appropriate qualification(s).
Code of Conduct
Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Applications
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in the
subject line
or
to Human Resources Directorate, NHS Tayside, Level 9,
Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY
By closing date of 11 July 2014