Job Advert
About the Organisation:
As Scotland’s smallest health board, NHS Orkney is driven by a bold vision: looking after our community and providing excellent care. Whether you’re starting your NHS journey or bringing expertise from another NHS employer, your skills will make a real difference to the health and lives of Orkney’s 22,000 residents.
Our state-of-the-art healthcare facility, The Balfour, opened in 2019 and is home to modern inpatient wards, an emergency department, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices, and the Scottish Ambulance Service. Collaboration thrives here, ensuring exceptional care for every patient. Beyond our main facility, we’re investing in our outer isles, enhancing services, and transforming patient care across our islands.
About Orkney:
Orkney itself is nothing short of magical. With over 70 islands (20 inhabited), this breathtaking destination offers stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant cultural and sporting activities. Recognised as one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney promises a lifestyle like no other.
The Position:
We’re offering two exciting Trainee Dental Nurse positions within our Public Dental Service. This is a rare opportunity to earn a salary while achieving a professional qualification. You’ll be working in modern, well-equipped surgeries alongside a friendly and supportive team, gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic and varied clinical dental environment.
The Candidate:
This is fantastic opportunity for individuals looking to begin a new professional journey in dental nursing. We are seeking candidates who –
- Have a good standard of general education
- Have experience working with the public
- Demonstrate excellent communication and teamworking skills
- Can remain claim and be flexible under pressure
As a Trainee Dental Nurse, you will be expected to commit to working towards the National Diploma in Dental Nursing. This involves an element of self-directed study in your own time, along with scheduled tutorials outside of normal working hours.
During your training period you will be paid a trainee salary under Annex 21 (Arrangements for pay and banding of trainees). You will commence on a starting salary of £23,112 plus Distant Islands Allowance. Upon successful completion of qualification and registration as a Dental Nurse, your salary will progress to Band 4. We aim for trainees to complete their qualification within two years.
Location, Working Pattern and Contract Duration:
This post will be based at The Balfour
The successful candidate will work 37 hours per week
This post is Permanent
It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.
Benefits and Salary:
Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
The qualified Dental Nurse salary for this post is on a Band 4 £30,353 - £33,016 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,654 pro rata per year, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.
NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, wide range of work life balance policies, employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.
Further Information:
If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact ork.recruitment@nhs.scot
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 9th September 2025.
To find out more about this opportunity please contact Rosaleen Sutherland by email at rosaleen.sutherland@nhs.scot or phone 01856 888000 extension 6086.
This position is subject to a PVG Scheme Record check.