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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Job Description

Clinical Skills Support Assistant

Department/School: School of Clinical Dentistry

Contract type: Permanent/ Flexible options considered. 

Advertising length (weeks): 2 weeks  

Overview

Based in the School of Clinical Dentistry, you will provide hands-on practical help and support in the preparation of materials for use by our students in our recently upgraded and refurbished Clinical Skills Learning Environment (CSLE).  You will support the Manager of our CSLE to ensure students have the necessary equipment and materials to undertake the various clinical skills courses which run from this facility.  

You will be a point of contact for students, be friendly, enthusiastic, motivated and approachable, with a remit to provide a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances our students’ experience.

Your role will include supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate students in their teaching sessions, dental model preparation, maintaining dental instruments and handpieces and carrying out simple repairs on dental units and handpieces.

Main duties and responsibilities

• To prepare all relevant student resources for all teaching courses which take place within the Clinical Skills Learning Environment (CSLE) and for any clinical skills training which may take place in the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital (CCDH). 

• To prepare, rebuild and repaint dental models ready for use in our CSLE.

• To maintain dental instruments and handpieces to be used both in the CSLE and for use with the portable phantom heads when used in the clinics of the CCDH. 

• To carry out simple repairs on the units in the CSLE and on handpieces.

• To adhere to waste management procedures and provide a safe working environment for staff and students.

• To maintain adequate stock of materials and liaise with the CSLE Manager regarding ordering of materials needed for the teaching sessions.

• To support students in assessments and in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE).  

• To help clean and maintain general cleanliness of the phantom heads and the facilities of the CSLE. 

• To be the ‘hand wash champion’ for the CSLE, which involves demonstrating the correct hand washing technique to students, maintaining hand washing standards during sessions and assessing this during examinations.

• To demonstrate to groups of students various aspects of equipment or materials usage as required for the CSLE, such as minor maintenance of equipment or mixing of dental materials.

• To ensure all health and safety guidance is followed appropriately and as instructed.

• To be a Fire Marshall and support the safe evacuation of the CSLE in the event of a fire or exercise.

• To be a First Aider for the CSLE and undertake any necessary training if required.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place around 17th November 2025. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10th November 2025. Contact the Dental School Operations Team dental.ops@sheffield.ac.uk  if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; Professional Services Shared Skills Framework 

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.