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Instructor in Dental Technology

Employer
University of Birmingham
Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Salary
£30,942.00 - £42,792.00
Closing date
Apr 28, 2021

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Position Details
  • Institute of Clinical Sciences
  • Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322, with potential progression once in post to £42,792
  • Grade 7
  • Full Time - up to 10 months - Hours of Work: Flexible, with some evening work required


Job Summary

The post holder will deliver undergraduate laboratory teaching of technical skills across all undergraduate degree programmes taught at the School of Dentistry including; Dentistry (BDS), Biomedical Materials Science (BMedSc), Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSc) and any new postgraduate and CPD programmes. Educational learning outcomes for the laboratory teaching session or course will be provided by the relevant academic module coordinator and the post holder will be responsible for ensuring these learning outcomes are met by the students. The post holder will provide formative and summative feedback to students and module leads and ensures reports and grades are prepared in time ready for continuous assessment meetings.

At times in the absence of the Senior Instructor the postholder will take responsibility for the management and delivery of the undergraduate curriculum in this area.

Working alongside the Senior Instructor the post holder will take some of the responsibility for the day to day running of the area. This broadly includes; stock management of specialist equipment and materials, liaising with internal and external teaching staff, close student support, preparation for undergraduate (UG), School of Hygiene and Therapy (SoHT), Postgraduate (PG), Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and other external courses delivered in the technical skills teaching laboratory and phantom head clinical skills suite ensuring School and Hospital safety policies are implemented at all times with particular reference to COSHH and other guidelines.

The technical skills teaching laboratory currently encompasses two plaster rooms, one casting room, one teaching laboratory with multiple seated work stations and two further teaching laboratory spaces where dental technician instructors are based. The work stations in the technical skills teaching laboratory and clinical skills suite are closely aligned to technology found in dental laboratories which therefore require knowledge and knowhow for individuals with a dental technology background. The clinical skills suite has advanced IT and AV capabilities in order to deliver the highest standards of teaching. This post involves significant preparation of course materials (materials & equipment) and is heavily timetable driven. The ability to respond quickly and positively to changes in protocols, troubleshoot problems that can arise prior to and during sessions with regard to equipment

(laboratory/IT) and materials is a vital aspect of the position. The post holder is expected to routinely maintain and update their knowledge of dental materials and techniques used in the fabrication of indirect dental prostheses to ensure their teaching on the subject is accurate and up to date. The post holder must liaise regularly with the NHS production laboratory managers to ensure techniques taught are current with those employed by the Birmingham Dental Hospital.

Main Duties

Technical Skills Teaching and Supporting Clinical Skills Teaching
  • Delivery of teaching in all technical skills required in the fabrication, modification and repair of indirect dental prostheses to include but not limited to; complete and partial dentures, coronal coverage restorations, hard and soft dental guards.
  • Deliver the timetabling of courses and liaise with the curriculum team to ensure viability.
  • Ensure workstations and demonstration areas are prepared beforehand ready for students to maximise experience and learning time.Revise teaching style and course/session structure based on feedback from students and staff.
  • Deliver educational content and experiences in a concise and informative manner.
  • Adhere to educational learning outcomes when planning and delivering educational content.
  • Manufacture and provide visual aids and hand outs when delivering educational content,
  • Manufacture and provide in course materials for all students (such as casts, pull down matrices, etc.) to ensure efficient and effective student learning.
  • Utilise formative assessment techniques to allow students to measure progress and ensure compliance with the educational learning outcomes for the course.
  • Inputting into progress forms and monitoring feedback on each students' progress and the viability of the courses they are expected to complete.


Managing and Supporting the Technical Skills Teaching Laboratory and Clinical Skills Suite

The postholder will support the following activities
  • Integrate teaching with clinical staff to deliver a technical skills course that shows relevance to clinical application
  • Support clinical staff in the teaching of clinical skills with phantom heads and models, such as, relining, surveying, denture design, impression taking, jaw registration, etc...
  • As requested and directed by academic staff and Senior Instructor , prepare and deliver effective assessments of technical skills for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations undertaken by undergraduate students.
  • Preparation and maintenance of materials for each lecturer/instructor for demonstration purposes per each teaching session.
  • To have an in-depth understanding of the diverse range of practical sessions held within the facility.
  • Plan, based on the available timetabling information, the most efficient/effective means to turnaround the daily classes.
  • Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff on the correct usage of the equipment.
  • Check equipment prior to classes and ensure that all requirements are in place.
  • Be fully aware of the safe handling and disposal of all materials used.
  • Trialling & modifying protocols when required in order to deliver a working protocol.
  • Preparation of hand outs for the lecturer/instructor for each teaching session.
  • Maintenance of a register of attendance of students for each teaching session and liaising with the curriculum team to identify student absences.
  • Ensure students, staff and other users follow working protocols within the laboratory.


General Laboratory Administration and Organisation
  • Ensure full maintenance of every item of laboratory equipment used by staff and students.
  • Ensure technical skills and phantom head laboratories on the 8th floor including plaster/casting room adjacent to lab and relevant rooms along the admin corridor of the 8th floor are kept clean and in good working order.
  • Maintenance and ordering of all consumables and equipment required for all courses on 8th floor throughout the year, ensuring best prices obtained.
  • Ensure IT and AV equipment are working correctly and be able to trouble shoot basic problems. If problem cannot be solved, ensure issue is resolved by liaising with the appropriate body or individual.
  • Have working knowledge of the AV system to support internal and visiting staff to achieve desired projections with Microsoft PowerPoint and camera facilities.
  • Setup/takedown of equipment/materials used during sessions.
  • The post holder is responsible for the daily administration and organisation of the work area.
  • Maintain stock levels of laboratory consumables (Dental materials, hand instruments, burs, paper towels, gloves, masks, etc.)
  • Receipt and storage of consumables.
  • Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
  • Reporting any problems with equipment of services to the academic lead for the facility if they cannot be managed easily through reporting to in-house estates dept.
  • Any other duties commensurate with the grade and skill base of the post holder as directed by the Academic Lead, School Administration Manager or Operations Manager (Infrastructure).


Support for Research
  • Research support in the form of technical assistance for on-going and new projects in the laboratory and for clinical trials.
  • The post holder will also be involved with the manufacture of samples as directed by the researcher as well as data collection as required.
  • The post holder is encouraged to utilise own skills and knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes to advise and work with the researcher to achieve a suitable solution.


General School and Teaching Duties
  • To provide pastoral care/mentoring as a personal tutor.


Health and Safety/Environmental Issues
  • Ensuring all basic University / College health and safety policies are complied with by all staff and students working in the area of responsibility. Implementing health and safety procedures within the laboratory, maintaining records both paper and computer based and ensuring their accuracy and that they are adhered to. Ensure all required Risk and COSHH assessments are in place approved and up to date. For example keeping service records of equipment requiring statutory testing, maintaining files of health and safety guidelines and creating COSSH and risk assessments.
  • Reporting any breaches or non-compliance of health and safety procedures to the line manager or College Safety Adviser.
  • Act as fire warden if required for the area.
  • Ensure the safe disposal of all waste, laboratory and general, via the correct waste management stream as governed by College policy.
  • Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
  • It would normally be expected that the post-holder undergo training as a First Aider in the event of incidents during practical sessions, and to be on-hand in the event that First Aid treatment is required. Promote University and College recycling and Green Awareness initiatives,

Other
  • To contribute at a level commensurate with the grade to internal and external audit procedures, and to regulatory inspections.
  • Assist technical managers, laboratory managers and/or facilities manager in identifying and tracking items held on the University asset register.


Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience
  • Professional qualification in Dental Technology (B/Tec National Diploma or BSc or equivalent) with proven experience of working within a dental laboratory setting.
  • Registered with the General Dental Council as a Dental Technician.
  • At least 5 years' experience of working in a dental laboratory with additional responsibilities of managing the laboratory or supporting management.
  • To be proficient in the fabrication of both fixed and removable dental prostheses and have experience in fabricating orthodontic appliances, implant based prostheses and maxillofacial reconstruction prostheses. To have experience mentoring and be prepared to attend a higher education training course provided by the University of Birmingham.


Knowledge & Skills
  • Have a highly developed knowledge of the relevant technical principles, theory and practice.
  • Requires an in-depth, up to date, specialist understanding of dental technology and how it relates to clinical dentistry.
  • To keep abreast of developments in dentistry - particularly dental technological processes.
  • Be able to communicate effectively and inspire undergraduate students.
  • Understanding of current health and safety policies.
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of procedures and practices that will reflect in the purchasing profile for adequate supplies as and when required within budget.
  • Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements and hours.
  • To be able to respond efficiently to changing priorities and different situations, both long and short term. Have the ability to progress several initiatives concurrently with effective planning over long and short time scales.
  • Be able to problem solve patient situations as and when presented.
  • Proven dependability/reliability.
  • Proven experience of training and mentoring junior staff.
  • Proven experience of working effectively as part of a dedicated or disparate team.
  • Ability to work under minimum supervision but function as part of a team.
  • Proficient in using computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.


To discuss the role further, please contact Philip Murphy 0121-466-5536 to schedule an appointment

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