Download MH.PD - Southern District Health Board

Developed
Review
November 2008
November 2010
POSITION DESCRIPTION
POSITION TITLE:
Specialist Orthodontist – Southern District Health Board
REPORTING TO:
Clinical Leader Oral Health Services
POSITION SIZE:
As per appointment letter
STAFF RESPONISBILITIES:
Nil
FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Hospital Dental Unit Staff

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon – Southland Hospital

ENT department Southland Hospital and Dunedin Hospital

Community Oral Health Service Staff - District

Oral Health and Outpatients Administration Staff

Paediatricians – Southland Hospital

Faculty of Dentistry - Otago

Burwood Plastic Surgery Department - Christchurch

Starship Plastic Surgery Department - Auckland

District Manager – Oral Health Services

Unit Manager – Oral Health Services – Southland
POSITION SUMMARY:
The position is responsible for the provision of specialist orthodontic services to eligible patients
within a multidisciplinary team approach at the Southland Hospital Dental Unit (HDU). Provide
clinical advice to Clinical Leader on a case by case basis for children who are enrolled in the
Community Oral Health Service (Otago and Southland) and Southern DHB’s Adolescent
programme.
The position will have an emphasis on the provision of specialist orthodontic assessment,
treatment and review of paediatric, adolescent and adult patients who have a congenital
abnormality that requires advanced care (this includes but not limited to cleft lip and palate
patients). This will also include patients who are medically compromised or who have special
needs.
Patients who have severe handicapping malocclusion are also eligible to be treated within the
department if their parents/caregivers are experiencing severe financial hardship.
DENTAL OFFICER – PAGE 2
KEY AIMS
Maintain integrity of the multidisciplinary team by:

Leading and developing an environment of respectful professional
relationships.
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Assisting and supporting clinical staff to develop (RMO and Dental Therapists) and
maintain (SMO) required skills and competencies.

Participating in In-Service training for Dental Therapists
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Facilitating high quality and safe service delivery,
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Prioritising resource allocation
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Integrating and implementing evidence based models.
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Acting as a role model and mentor.
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Leading and supporting planning and change processes in a manner that promotes
health services centred on the patient.
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Advocating for appropriate fiscal and human resources to accomplish agreed service
levels.
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Demonstrating ongoing commitment to collaborative working across traditional
boundaries and across regional and national networks.
DENTAL OFFICER – PAGE 3
KEY OBJECTIVES:
Key Objectives
To provide patients with a
range of orthodontic treatment
with emphasis on an
appropriate level of
orthodontic care within the
service specification.
To promote an appropriate
work culture in the unit.
To implement, monitor and
evaluate quality improvement
programme and system for
clinical audit
To co-operate with
development of strategic
direction and policy of the
Service
To implement clinical support
and education
To ensure the Service has a
positive image
To actively maintain and
improve professional
standards and knowledge
Health and Safety
Performance Measures

Accurate documentation of assessment and
clinical treatment.

Liaison where appropriate, with clinical associates
involved with patient’s care.

Understanding of patient’s condition and
treatment options.

Diagnostic and clinical orthodontic treatment
undertaken.

Perform such other duties as may be reasonably
required by the Clinical Leader, Oral Health
Services.

Work culture will facilitate team building,
innovation and creativity, conservation of scarce
resources and cultural sensitivity

Commitment to continual quality improvement

Development and maintenance of system for
clinical audit

Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
quality improvement programme

Legal and statutory duties undertaken and
performed as required

Advice and support to the Clinical Leader in policy
implementation with respect to craniofacial
abnormalities.

Co-operate with the Clinical Leader to set
strategic direction for service delivery

Mentor and support to junior dental staff HDU with
clinical plans and treatment

Participation in, and support for, education
programmes for other dental clinical and nonclinical staff

Presentation of dental developments and issues
which enhance the status of the service to wider
clinical/professional audience

A positive image for the service is actively
promoted with the public, state agencies and the
media

Efficient customer-focused services are provided
within allocated resources

Opportunities for continuing education, personal
growth and development are sought and utilised

Active participation in personal annual
performance review and periodic departmental
credentialing as required by Clinical Leader

Displays commitment through actively supporting
all health and safety initiatives.

Ensures all staff maintain adequate safety
standards on the job through consultation, training
and supervision.

Ensures own and others safety at all times.

Complies with policies, procedures and safe
systems of work. Reports all incidents/accidents,
including near misses in a timely fashion.
DENTAL OFFICER – PAGE 4
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Treaty of Waitangi

Is involved in health and safety through
participation and consultation.
Service activity, development and implementation
is undertaken in accordance with the provisions of
the Treaty of Waitangi – partnership, protection
and participation.
Consultation is undertaken with appropriate Maori
communities.
PERSONAL QUALITIES, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Leading and
Motivating
Communication
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Business Decision
Making
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Strategic
Management
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Taking
Accountability
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Articulates a compelling vision for their part of the organisation
Makes it clear how people’s work fits into the overall business
direction and strategic priorities
Motivates and inspires staff to always do their best
Promotes a positive attitude towards change
Encourages teamwork and co-operation between staff
Promotes and models a strong customer focus
Promotes a credible image and inspires confidence
Actively shares information, ideas and experience with others
Works to build trusting relationships with customers and key
stakeholders
Communicates sensitive messages or disagreements with tact
and diplomacy
Treats people with respect and courtesy
Brings conflict into the open and facilitates resolution
Encourages the expression of differing and opposing views
Balances clinical needs with business, financial and other
priorities
Effectively balances key priorities when making business
decisions (i.e. financial, customer, internal processes, and
learning and growth)
Confronts problems early, before they get out of hand
Takes a stand and resolves important issues
Makes tough, pragmatic decisions when necessary
Reads the situation and looks at problems from many angles
before making decisions
Always consults with relevant stakeholders before taking action
Maintains a big-picture view of their area of the business
Ensures shorter-term objectives are tied to the broader
strategic direction
Recognises the impact of broader issues and emerging trends
on their area of responsibility
Takes an organisation-wide perspective on issues, rather than
thinking solely about their area of responsibility
Challenges others to improve and innovate
Constantly strives to make improvements to service systems
and processes (e.g., to get things done better, cost effectively
and faster)
Seeks feedback from internal and external customers and
implements changes to improve service
Takes personal responsibility for making things happen
Reinforces Southern DHB’s “Southernway” and leads by
example
DENTAL OFFICER – PAGE 5


Nga Take Maori
Technical Expertise
Supports and advocates Southern DHB's position on all issues
Demonstrates personal ownership of decisions made by the
management team

Acts ethically and with integrity

Is open and honest with others

Actively pursues self-learning and development

Shows an awareness of, and commitment to, the principles of
the Treaty of Waitangi

Has a positive attitude towards Maori issues and is receptive to
them

Is comfortable in situations involving Maoritanga

Facilitates and encourages the use of Maoritanga in their
service/unit

Includes aspects of Maoritanga into work/organisational
practices

Creates and sustains an environment that promotes
biculturalism and responsiveness to Maori issues
Essential

Specialist Registration as an Orthodontist with the Dental
Council of New Zealand.

Evidence of attendance and a commitment to professional
development.

Experience in treating children, medically compromised
patients and patients with varying disabilities.

Competent using computer keyboard and electronic patient
management systems
Desirable

Broad experience in orthodontics.

Some background in hospital or community dentistry.

Is prepared to and has the ability to learn new IT clinical
applications as required for the role. Undertakes training if
required.
REMUNERATION SPECIFICATION:
New Zealand District Health Boards – Senior Medical and Dental Officers Collective
Agreement.
Agreed by
_____________________________Job holder’s signature
_____________________________Employer’s signature
__________________Date