Working As & When
The Orthodontic Therapist provides a specialist orthodontic service within the Trust, delivering care in line with agreed treatment plans and working closely with Consultant Orthodontists and the wider multidisciplinary team. The role focuses on supporting the clinical management of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, ensuring care is safe, effective and evidence-based.
The post holder also contributes to quality improvement, audit and clinical governance processes, while promoting a positive learning and working environment. They are expected to demonstrate leadership within the team, support teaching and mentoring, and contribute to service development in line with Trust values of safe, kind and effective care.
The main duties include delivering a range of orthodontic procedures safely and accurately in line with clinical guidelines, while assessing patients’ oral health, needs and readiness for treatment. The post holder provides education and advice to patients regarding their care, explains treatment options, risks and expectations, and works collaboratively with consultants to support clinical decision-making. They are responsible for recognising and responding to changes in a patient’s condition, including escalating concerns and managing urgent situations appropriately.
Alongside clinical work, the role includes participation in audit, quality improvement and governance activities, ensuring compliance with Trust policies such as infection control, safeguarding and patient confidentiality. The Orthodontic Therapist also contributes to teaching and mentoring trainees and dental nurses, supports teamwork and communication across the multidisciplinary team, and plays a role in service development, policy implementation and maintaining high standards of patient care and safety.
The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:
- The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
- Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
- Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.
The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
