Clinical Support Worker

About the organisation

NHS Scotland is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, with a strong commitment to fairness, inclusion, and the removal of unlawful discrimination. NHS Ayrshire and Arran, one of the 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland, works to deliver the best possible health outcomes across Ayrshire and Arran through a culture rooted in care, safety, and respect.

Role overview

An opportunity is available for a Clinical Support Worker at North West Area Centre on a permanent part-time basis. The role involves supporting both clinical and administrative activity within the dental setting.

Hours and working pattern

This position is for 36 hours per week, typically worked from 09:00 to 17:00. Job share arrangements may be considered. From 1 April 2026, the standard NHS Agenda for Change working week in Scotland will reduce from 37 to 36 hours for full-time staff, with part-time hours adjusted proportionately and no reduction in pay.

Key duties

You will support clinical and administrative colleagues by helping prepare the clinical area, preparing dental materials under the direct or indirect supervision of a Registered Dental Nurse, and assisting with reception and administrative tasks for clinicians. You will also contribute to safe and effective care delivery in support of the Registered Dental Nurse and clinician, while maintaining the required standard of service.

A major part of the role includes infection prevention and control within the dental surgery and other relevant areas, covering fixtures, equipment, laboratory work, and the decontamination and sterilisation of dental instruments.

Skills, experience, and knowledge

The successful applicant should bring strong verbal and written communication skills, good interpersonal abilities, and experience gained in a caring environment or in a public-facing role. You should be able to work effectively as part of a large team and handle assigned tasks efficiently in a busy setting.

Helpful additional knowledge includes familiarity with dental paperwork and Microsoft packages, along with experience in cash handling.

Driving licence requirement

A full UK driving licence is required for this role. For posts where a driving licence is needed, the licence must be a full UK, EU, or EEA licence.

Right to work and sponsorship

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK, or confirm that the post is eligible for sponsorship before applying. Sponsorship may be available for some roles if the salary threshold and other criteria are met, but it is assessed individually after interview and during pre-employment checks. Sponsorship is not available for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.

Application notes

Applications must be completed through the NHS Jobs Scotland application process. CV uploads should not be included because they are not used for shortlisting. Applications submitted after the closing time on the advertised closing date will not be considered. Email is the primary method of communication, so candidates should enter their email address carefully, monitor email inboxes and junk folders, and keep their NHS Jobs Scotland account updated.

Candidates should not make changes after submitting the application. Some vacancies are restricted to internal candidates, so current staff should ensure their profile correctly shows employment with NHS Ayrshire and Arran. JobTrain Candidate Support Hub can assist with system issues, and applicants are advised to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when accessing JobTrain.

Contact

For more information about the role, applicants can contact Gail Whitehouse, Dental Nurse Team Leader, on 01563 578765.

Equality and diversity

NHS Scotland welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and aims to ensure that every employee feels respected, valued, and able to perform at their best.