About this role
Job summary
We are seeking a knowledgeable and motivated Dental Nurse Assessor to support and assess learner dental nurses throughout their training journey.
The role involves mentoring apprentices, assessing practical competence and underpinning knowledge, maintaining accurate learner records, and ensuring training meets awarding body and regulatory standards. The postholder will also work clinically as part of the dental team, maintaining professional practice and supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced dental professional who is passionate about education, quality, clinical excellence, and developing the next generation of dental nurses.
Main duties of the job
Assess and support apprentice dental nurses in the workplace through planned reviews.
Monitor learner progress against qualification standards, apprenticeship requirements, and awarding body criteria.
Provide coaching, guidance, and constructive feedback to help learners develop their clinical knowledge, practical skills, and professional behaviours.
Carry out observations, reviews, and assessments, ensuring all evidence is valid, accurate, and completed within required timescales.
Work clinically as part of the dental team, maintaining professional competence and supporting the delivery of safe, effective, high-quality patient care.
Ensure all delivery and assessment activities comply with safeguarding, equality, health and safety, GDPR, and regulatory requirements.
Keep up to date with developments in dental nursing practice, education, and apprenticeship standards.
About us
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description Job responsibilities
Plan and deliver a caseload of workplace-based assessments for Apprentice Dental Nurses undertaking the NEBDN National Diploma, in line with programme requirements and agreed assessment plans. Carry out direct observations in the clinical setting and assess knowledge, skills and behaviours against agreed criteria. Conduct weekly supervision sessions, deliver constructive feedback, and establish agreed action plans to facilitate learner development and ensure safe clinical practice. Review learner portfolios/evidence, set targets, and monitor progress to support achievement of the NEBDN National Diploma within required timescales. Maintain accurate, auditable records of learner contact, assessment activity, feedback and outcomes, including portfolio/evidence documentation, in line with Trust and NEBDN programme requirements. Liaise with internal clinical teams and the NEBDN training providers/Centre to ensure learners received appropriate support and that NEBDN programme requirements are met. Deliver or facilitate tutorials, workshops and skills updates for learners and/or the dental nursing team, as agreed with the Dental Nurse Team Manager. Support learners to develop clinical competence while promoting patient-centred care, infection prevention and control and safeguarding practice.
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Familiarity with NEBDN National Diploma requirements and portfolio/evidence expectations.
Qualifications Essential
Dental Nurse National Certificate/NVQ Level Oral Health Care. GCSE's, or equivalent, in Literacy and Numeracy. Recognised assessor qualification suitable for assessing the NEBDN National Diploma. Registration with the General Dental Council. Full and valid UK driving licence and access to own vehicle
Further Training or Job-Related Aptitude and Skills Essential
Literate, numerate and able to communicate at all levels Basic computer skills; familiar with dental software package Able to supervise trainees and unqualified staff
Experience Essential
Experience of working in the general community or hospital dental service. Experience in working within general and aesthetic/sedation/special needs environment. Experience of supporting learners/trainees in practice, including giving feedback and contributing to development plans.
Desirable
Previous supervisory/line management experience.
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.
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 Oxford Health NHS Trust
Address Murray House Dental Clinic
Jordan Hill Business park, Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 8TA
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)