Recruitment

information pack
WHO WE ARE
Join Imperial College Healthcare and become part of a community of over 15,000 staff
working with a wide range of partners to offer ‘better heath, for life’.
Formed in 2007, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the country – providing acute and
specialist care to over a million patients each year in central and north London and beyond.
With a global reputation for ground-breaking research and innovation as well as excellence in
education, we offer huge expertise across a wide range of clinical specialities.
Alongside our five hospitals – Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea,
St Mary’s and the Western Eye – we have a growing number of community and digital
services, reflecting our commitment to developing more integrated care with our
partners. We also provide private healthcare at all of our hospitals (in dedicated facilities).
Together with Imperial College London and two other NHS trusts, we form one of six
academic health science centres in the UK – focused on translating research into better
patient care. We also host one of 20 National Institute for Health Research biomedical
research centres in partnership with Imperial College London.
Our mission is to be a key partner in our local health system and to drive health and
healthcare innovation, delivering outstanding care, education and research with local,
national and worldwide impact.

OUR VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS

With our staff and partners, we have developed a clear and ambitious vision as well as a set
of core values that shape everything we do. Together they guide our organisational strategy
and our behaviours framework:
 Kind: we are considerate and thoughtful so everyone feels valued, respected and
included
 Collaborative: We actively seek others’ views and ideas so we can achieve more
together
 Expert: We draw on diverse skills, knowledge and experience so we provide the best
possible care
 Aspirational: We are receptive and responsive to new thinking, so we never stop
learning, discovering and improving

OUR HOSPITALS
Our hospitals and services
We have five hospitals on four sites, as well as a growing number of community and digital
services across central and west London:
Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith.
Charing Cross Hospital offers outstanding day surgery and cancer care, award-winning
dementia services and medicine for the elderly, and is a renowned tertiary centre for
neurosurgery with a hyper-acute stroke unit. It is also a hub for integrated care in partnership
with local GPs and community providers.
Hammersmith Hospital, Acton
Hammersmith Hospital is a specialist hospital renowned for its strong research connections.
and haematology service. It is home to a dedicated heart attack centre and Europe’s largest
renal transplant centre.
Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, Acton
Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital is a maternity, women’s and neonatal care hospital. It
is a tertiary referral centre and looks after women with high-risk, complicated pregnancies, as
providing a midwife-led birth centre.
St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington
St Mary’s Hospital is a large, acute hospital and hosts one of the four major trauma centres
in London, alongside a 24-hour A&E department. With one of the most renowned paediatric
services in the country, St Mary’s is also home to Imperial Private Healthcare’s Lindo Wing.
Western Eye, Marylebone
The Western Eye Hospital is a specialist hub for ophthalmic services in West London with a
24/7 eye A&E – providing emergency treatment for both adults and children. Facilities
include: outpatients, inpatients, day case and emergency services.

WHY JOIN US?

Reach your potential through outstanding learning and development
opportunities
Every year we welcome hundreds of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to
train with us. We support staff to pursue formal education, conduct research and take part in
courses, seminars and training programmes – including giving study leave. Wherever you
are in your career, we offer opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD). If
you are starting in an entry-level role, we also offer NVQ level two and level three
qualifications. We also have a number of leadership development programmes to support
you as you progress, alongside cross-specialty and cross-profession clinical education.

Experience the rich heritage of hospitals that have made history

Some of our clinicians’ achievements continue to transform healthcare practice and make a
lasting impact on the world. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic penicillin at
St Mary’s revolutionising medicine and earning himself a Nobel prize – this is just one in a
long line of many discoveries and developments that have put us on the map as at the
forefront of innovation.

Draw on huge expertise as part of a strong international community

Get ready to work with colleagues from all over the world with a sense of community,
wellbeing and shared endeavour. We look after children, adolescents and adults – caring for
tiny babies through to patients who need end of life care. We have a global reputation for our
expertise in areas like: cardiology, haematology, renal and transplantation, infectious
diseases, neurology and trauma care – to name just a few. We are part of the
prestigious Shelford Group – the top ten NHS multi-specialty academic healthcare
organisations dedicated to excellence in research, education and patient care.

Feel supported by a positive culture

You can expect leadership and the chance to do your best in an open, respectful working
environment supported by a shared set of values. Our leadership team ensure they are
accessible – meeting staff at monthly CEO sessions and on ward walk rounds. Every
employee has an annual personal development review to discuss their progress and
development needs. We have a number of thriving staff networks at the Trust for you to join
including: the leadership network; the women’s network, the LGBT+ network and the nursing
and midwifery BAME network.

Recognition and career progression

We value our staff and recognise the unique contributions they make to their patients and
colleagues with our Make a Difference recognition scheme and annual awards ceremony.
We encourage patients, members of the public, visitors, carers as well as colleagues to
nominate our staff when they go the extra mile and celebrate the dedication of long-serving
staff. Every year you’ll have a personal development review where you’ll identify objectives
and development needs for the next year. Together you and your manager will establish a
plan to help you fast-forward your career and gain the experience and skill you need to
progress to the next level.

Conduct research here

Our clinicians work alongside biomedical scientists, chemists, physicists and engineers from
Imperial College London to develop new ways of diagnosing, treating and preventing
disease. As part of an academic health science centre, we aim to apply research discoveries
to healthcare as quickly as possible so we can improve the lives of NHS patients and
populations around the world. Our culture is about identifying research opportunities and
supporting our staff to pursue them. One of our goals is to encourage many more healthcare
professionals outside of medicine to pursue academic careers by providing research skills
training sessions, grant-writing support and access to fellowship opportunities. As of 2018/19
we have 600 active research projects.

Access brilliant benefits and enjoy a new social life

Join the NHS pension scheme – one of the most generous schemes in the UK. Have the
opportunity to work flexibly. Benefit from on-site accommodation and employee travel.
Voluntary benefits include: season ticket loan, on-site nurseries, childcare vouchers, cycle to
work scheme, fitness facilities and well-being initiatives including yoga and meditation
classes. Join the Trust’s choir or orchestra, running club or football club, or become a
member of the Charity’s Arts Club to receive exclusive access to free exhibitions at the Tate
Modern and shows. You can even enter the Royal Albert Hall ballot and win tickets to music
events! Experience the best that London can offer on your doorstep – benefit from generous
London weighting supplements that will help you make the most of it!
JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title Dental Hygienist (Maternity Cover)

Band 6

Directorate/
Restorative Dentistry & Oral Surgery
department

Division Specialist Surgery

Location of
Outpatients Department Charing Cross Hospital
work

Hours 15 hours per week, 0.4 WTE

Reports to Restorative Dentistry and Oral Surgery Consultants

Accountable
Matron, 10 South
to

1. Job overview
The focus of the role is to provide comprehensive clinical management of patients including
preventive advice, oral care and treatment for predominantly head and neck oncology
patients prior to, during and after cancer treatment and extends to other patients with special
needs and medical compromise e.g. osteonecrosis, renal and marrow transplants. The
provision of treatment will be undertaken in line with treatment plans agreed with the
consultant and intervention will be undertaken with local anesthesia customized to the patient
needs. He/she will be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team caring for patients
diagnosed with head and neck cancer and will play a proactive role in oral health promotion
raising awareness of oral health. The post holder will be accountable for their own actions
without direct supervision.

The post holder will work closely and under the guidance of the Departmental Consultants
and their teams as deemed appropriate. He/she will undertake comprehensive assessment
of the patient referred to them at the start of treatment and will provide treatment in line with
the written prescriptions and review patients timely. Ongoing maintenance support will also
be provided and the post holder will work closely with the patients’ general dental
practitioner. They will be expected to work autonomously and independently making
considered decisions when managing patients ensuring that a safe and focused patient
centered service is offered.

Whilst a direct involvement with the patients general dental practitioners is not expected,
there is an expectation that the post holder will communicate both in writing and verbally with
referring practitioners (medical and dental) when necessary to support the management of
the patient. He/she will be able to execute the full range of treatment including professional
mechanical plaque removal and recognize when treatments are not working escalating any
challenges encountered to the consultant in charge.
The post holder will be expected to maintain up to date knowledge and skills pertinent to their
field and comply with the Trust mandatory and governance programme by attending audit
and governance meetings. He/she may need to meet with external company representatives
in conjunction with the consultants in furtherance of the missions of the department.
Furthermore they will be expected to participate in their own annual appraisal.

2. Key Working Relationships

Divisional General
Manager

Directorate Manager

Matron

Dental Consultants
Hygienist Restorative Dentistry & Oral Surgery

 Consultants in Restorative Dentistry and Oral Surgery

 Dental Nurses
 Service Manager
 Clinical Teams within the Restorative and Oral Surgery services
 Members of the multi-disciplinary team
 Outpatient Managers
 General Dental Practitioners

3. Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

 Provides treatment to patients including patient assessment and clinical examination

including full periodontal and tooth charting as defined by scope of practice
maintaining safety ensuring appropriate consent has been obtained
 Responds to complex/demanding patient situation both clinically and administratively
maintaining professionalism
 Applies evidence based care enhancing the quality of care given to patient
 Adopts a flexible approach to working within the multidisciplinary head and neck
oncology team fostering positive relationships
 Promotes prevention and oral health education and promotion involving others
including patients
 Deals with patient concerns and complaints effectively and sensitively keeping the
consultant informed
 Under the full range of treatment as prescribed by the referring team including the
provision of oral hygiene instruction using different aides and attending wards if
needed to provide advice and guidance for post-surgery oncology patients including
the use of adjuncts.
Governance and Audit

 Keeps up to date maintaining relevant knowledge and skills

 Participates in all aspects of clinical governance processes and participates in audit
and quality improvement initiatives
 Audits personal activity and implements policies as required
 Organises own workload prioritising patients based on need and implementing
actions which are evidence based utilising available resources efficiently
 Adheres to all Trust policies, procedures and guidelines reporting issues of concern
and giving feedback to the department manager and matron
 Contributes to performance management through efficient and optimal use of
resource including chair utilisation
 Order and maintains equipment as required
 Proactively participates in departmental meetings
 Maintains contemporaneous records including adverse reactions/events
 Maintains an annual record of Continuing Professional Development Requirements
 Participates in annual appraisal

Communication

 Communicate effectively, clearly using simple language with patients, relatives and
visitors
 Maintain clear written and verbal communication with all teams involved in the
patients care
 Communicate with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate
 Approaches patient care with empathy and compassion

Other duties

 Maintains responsibility for the day to day cleanliness and routine care of instruments,
operating unit, and chair and associated surgery equipment.
 Ensures that the required equipment, materials and kit needed for each treatment
session are available
 Escalates and reports any faults in equipment or damaged instruments and follow the
required policy
 Undertakes any other duties requested as appropriate to the banding

Research

 Responsible for the implementation of evidence based care.

 Develops and implements a strategy for evaluation of health care interventions.
 Shares good practice by publications and presentations within and without the Trust,
as appropriate.
 4. Scope and purpose of job description
A job description does not constitute a ‘term and condition of employment’. It is provided only
as a guide to assist the employee in the performance of their job. The Trust is a fast moving
organisation and therefore changes in employees’ duties may be necessary from time to
time. The job description is not intended to be an inflexible or finite list of tasks and may be
varied from time to time after consultation/discussion with the postholder.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Directorate/
Job title Band
department

Restorative
Dentistry & Oral Dental Hygienist (Maternity Cover) 6
Surgery

Criteria relevant to
Essential Desirable
the role

Education/  Diploma in Dental Hygiene  Evidence of experience

qualifications in specialised area of
 Evidence of leadership skills. Maxillofacial/Dental work.
Experience  Dental Hygienist with previous  Management experience
clinical experience working with or qualification.
patients as a Dental Hygienist
 Evidence of delivering full range
of non-surgical therapy and
associated treatments
 Registration with the General
Dental Council

Skills/knowledge/  Good interpersonal and

abilities communication skills.
 Computer literate

Values and  Demonstrable ability to meet

behaviours Trust values

Other requirements  Physical abilities such as to meet

the requirements of the role with
any reasonable adjustments
Additional information
1. Health and safety
All staff are required to make positive efforts to maintain their own personal safety and that of
others by taking reasonable care, carrying out requirements of the law while following
recognised codes of practice and Trust policies on health and safety.
2. Medical examinations
All appointments are conditional upon prior health clearance. Failure to provide continuing
satisfactory evidence if required, e.g. of immunization, will be regarded as a breach of
contract.
3. Equal opportunities
The Trust aims to promote equal opportunities. A copy of our Equality Opportunities Policy is
available from the Human Resources department. Members of staff must ensure that they
treat other members of staff, patients and visitors with dignity and respect at all times and
report any breaches of this to the appropriate manager.
4. Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
Post holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in
the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of specific duties relating
to their role.
5. Disclosure & Barring Service/safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
Applicants for many posts in the NHS are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974. Applicants who are offered employment for such posts will be subject to a criminal
record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service before appointment is confirmed. This
includes details of cautions, reprimands and final warnings, as well as convictions. Find out
more about the Disclosure & Barring Service. Post holders have a general responsibility for
safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for
ensuring that they are aware of specific duties relating to their role. Staff are obliged to
disclose to the Trust during employment any pending criminal convictions, including cautions,
and any other information relevant to the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults.
6. Professional registration
Staff undertaking work which requires professional registration are responsible for ensuring
that they are so registered and that they comply with any codes of conduct applicable to that
profession. Proof of registration must be produced on appointment and at any time
subsequently on request.
7. Work visa/ permits/Leave to remain
If you are a non-resident of the UK or EEA you are required to have a valid work visa and
leave to remain in the UK, which is renewed as required. The Trust is unable to employ or
continue to employ you if you require but do not have a valid work visa and/or leave to
remain in the UK.
8. Conflict of interests
You may not, without the consent of the Trust, engage in any outside employment and in
particular you are disqualified from an appointment as a chair or Non-Executive Director of
another NHS Trust while you are employed by this Trust. In accordance with the Trust’s
Conflict of Interest Policy you must declare to your manager all private interests which could
potentially result in personal gain as a consequence of your employment position in the
Trust. The NHS Code of Conduct and Standards of Business Conduct for NHS Staff require
you to declare all situations where you or a close relative or associate has a controlling
interest in a business or in any activity which may compete for any NHS contracts to supply
goods or services to the Trust. You must therefore register such interests with the Trust,
either on appointment or subsequently.
9. Infection control
It is the responsibility of all staff, whether clinical or non-clinical, to familiarise themselves
with, and adhere to, current policy in relation to the prevention of the spread of infection and
the wearing of uniforms.
Clinical staff – on entering and leaving clinical areas, and between contacts with
patients, staff should ensure that they apply alcohol gel to their hands and wash their
hands frequently with soap and water. In addition, staff should ensure the appropriate
use of personal protective clothing and the appropriate administration of antibiotic
therapy. Staff are required to communicate any infection risks to the infection control
team and, upon receipt of their advice, report hospital-acquired infections in line with the
Trust’s Incident Reporting Policy.
Non clinical staff and sub-contracted staff – on entering and leaving clinical areas and
between contacts with patients all staff should ensure they apply alcohol gel to their
hands and be guided by clinical staff as to further preventative measures required. It is
also essential for staff to wash their hands frequently with soap and water.
Flu vaccination – All patient-facing staff are required to have the flu vaccination on an
annual basis, provided free of charge by the Trust. Staff have a responsibility to
encourage adherence with policy amongst colleagues, visitors and patients and should
challenge those who do not comply. You are also required to keep up to date with the
latest infection control guidance via the documents’ library section on the intranet.
10. No smoking
The Trust operates a smoke free policy.
11. Professional association/trade union membership
The Trust is committed to working in partnership with trades unions and actively encourages
staff to join any trade union of their choice, subject to any rules for membership that the
Trade Union may apply.