About this role
Job summary
We are excited to offer a rare and high-profile opportunity for a Lead Maxillofacial Prosthetist to join the Maxillofacial Prosthetics service at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. This is a senior leadership role within a highly specialised service delivering complex prosthetic rehabilitation for patients with acquired and congenital craniofacial defects, including those arising from head and neck cancer, trauma and complex medical conditions.
The postholder will lead a combined clinical and laboratory service, providing expert care to patients with significant functional and aesthetic needs, often at critical points in their treatment and recovery. In addition to maintaining an advanced clinical caseload, the role provides responsibility for the operational leadership, performance and development of the service, offering a unique opportunity to shape and influence the future direction of maxillofacial prosthetics within a leading NHS organisation.
Based within the Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science at Guy's Hospital, the role offers access to a world-class multidisciplinary and academic environment, with strong links to King's College London and opportunities to contribute to innovation, teaching and research at a national level.
Main duties of the job
The Lead Maxillofacial Prosthetist will combine expert clinical practice with service leadership, managing a complex caseload of patients requiring highly specialised prosthetic rehabilitation, including facial, intraoral, body and implant-retained devices. The postholder will work autonomously and as a core member of multidisciplinary teams, contributing specialist expertise to complex clinical decision-making across a range of pathways.
Alongside clinical responsibilities, the role is accountable for the day-to-day operational delivery of the maxillofacial prosthetics service and laboratory. This includes managing patient pathways, overseeing service capacity and waiting lists, and ensuring coordination between clinical and technical activity. The postholder will lead and develop a skilled team of prosthetists, technicians and trainees, providing leadership and direction while fostering a high-performing environment.
The role also includes responsibility for governance, quality and regulatory compliance, including quality management systems associated with custom-made medical devices. The postholder will play a key role in implementing service improvements, including digital workflows and emerging technologies, and will contribute to education, training and research within a recognised academic centre.
About us
Guy's and St Thomas' is one of the UK's leading NHS foundation trusts, with a strong reputation for clinical excellence, innovation and high-quality patient care. We provide a full range of hospital and community services and deliver specialist care to patients locally, regionally and nationally.
The Maxillofacial Prosthetics service is based within the Academic Centre of Reconstructive Science at Guy's Hospital, one of the largest and most established units of its kind in the UK. The service provides highly specialised rehabilitation for patients with complex craniofacial conditions and works closely with maxillofacial surgery, oncology, cleft, orthodontic and restorative teams. The department benefits from strong academic links with King's College London, supporting teaching, research and the development of new techniques and technologies.
You will join a dedicated and highly skilled multidisciplinary team with a strong culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. The Trust is committed to supporting staff development and wellbeing, offering opportunities for professional growth, flexible working and involvement in service development, research and education.
Job description Job responsibilities
The postholder will provide advanced clinical and technical expertise in the assessment, planning and delivery of complex maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation, working directly with patients whose conditions often have significant functional, aesthetic and psychological impact. This includes the design and manufacture of bespoke prosthetic devices using a combination of traditional techniques and advanced digital technologies.
They will be responsible for the organisation and delivery of the maxillofacial prosthetics service and laboratory, ensuring that clinical and technical activity is effectively planned, prioritised and coordinated to meet patient demand and service objectives. This includes monitoring service performance, managing capacity and addressing delays to ensure equitable and timely access to care.
The role includes full line management responsibility for the prosthetics and technical team, ensuring appropriate workforce planning, staff development and performance management. The postholder will provide leadership and support to a multidisciplinary team, promoting a culture of high performance, continuous learning and professional development.
The postholder will lead on governance, quality and regulatory compliance, ensuring the safe design, manufacture and provision of custom-made medical devices in line with relevant standards and legislation. This includes maintaining robust quality management systems, ensuring traceability and audit, and managing clinical and operational risks.
They will contribute to service development and innovation, including the implementation of digital workflows, new technologies and improved models of care, working closely with clinical and managerial colleagues to enhance patient outcomes and service efficiency. The role also includes active involvement in education, training and research, supporting undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, mentoring trainees and contributing to the wider academic output of the department.
Person Specification
Physical Requirements Desirable
Ability to move heavy items of equipment and materials
Professional/Statutory Registration Essential
Registered with GDC as a Dental Technician
Desirable
Full membership of the Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists (IMPT) and/or registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science as a Reconstructive Scientist
Qualifications/Education Essential
Degree or equivalent qualification in Prosthetics / Dental Technology / Reconstructive Science or related discipline Postgraduate qualification in Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Reconstructive Science or equivalent Registration with an appropriate professional body (where applicable)
Desirable
Evidence of additional specialist training in maxillofacial prosthetics or related field PhD in a relevant subject area or equivalent experience
Previous experience Essential
Extensive experience in maxillofacial prosthetics, including the provision of complex prosthetic rehabilitation for patients with acquired and congenital craniofacial defects Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner managing a complex clinical caseload Experience of multidisciplinary team working within a hospital or specialist clinical environment Experience of managing or leading a clinical and/or technical service Experience of supervising, training and developing staff, students and trainees Experience of implementing and maintaining quality management systems and working within relevant regulatory frameworks, including medical device compliance Experience of clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation
Desirable
Experience of contributing to service development or redesign Experience of involvement in research activity or publication
Skills/Knowledge/Ability Essential
Advanced specialist knowledge of maxillofacial prosthetics and reconstructive science, including clinical assessment, treatment planning and the design and manufacture of custom-made medical devices Experience in the application of emerging technologies in maxillofacial prosthetics, including advanced digital workflows and innovation in device design Highly developed understanding of medical device regulations (e.g. MHRA, UK MDR) and quality management systems (QMS), including compliance, audit and risk management Demonstrable expertise in the use of digital technologies, including 3D surgical planning, CAD/CAM systems and additive manufacturing for clinical application Ability to make complex clinical and technical decisions independently, often in situations where information may be incomplete or conflicting, and where outcomes have significant impact on patient care Highly developed analytical skills, including the ability to interpret clinical, technical and operational data to inform decision-making and service improvement Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams, providing specialist advice to clinicians across Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, ENT, Plastic Surgery and related specialties Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey highly complex, sensitive or distressing information to patients, carers and professionals in a clear and appropriate manner Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop staff, including managing performance, supporting professional development and contributing to workforce planning Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing clinical, operational and administrative demands in a complex service environment Competence in the use of digital systems for patient records, laboratory tracking and data management
Desirable
Evidence of involvement in research, audit or quality improvement activity, including publication or presentation Knowledge of national policy, professional standards and best practice guidance relevant to maxillofacial prosthetics and reconstructive science
Additional Information Essential
Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service Commitment to maintaining professional registration and continuous professional development Ability to work across sites where required Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and upholding Trust values Willingness to learn new ways of working and respond positively to changing service demands
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address Guy's Hospital (occasionally St Thomas' Hospital)
Great Maze Pond
London
SE1 9RT
Employer's website https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)