Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to Join the Ward 2 team as a Dementia Key Worker
We are looking for a dedicated individual who enjoys engaging with elderly patients and is committed to providing a stimulating environment whilst they await their discharge. The role will involve assisting in the provision of a high standard of care and positive hospital experience for all patients with dementia / cognitive impairment on the ward and completion of relevant documentation. The role also involves working with the multidisciplinary team to provide group therapy and arranging crafts and activities for patients to engage with.
A typical day in the life of a Dementia Key Worker would include taking part in Multi-disciplinary meetings to identify patients that the key worker will be interacting with, spending time with the patients to get to know them, plan activities to entertain, liaising with family members to ensure that they are receiving support.
Main duties of the job
You will require excellent communication and organisational skills enabling them to work independently with patients and relatives, focusing on those with a diagnosis of Dementia. Our aim is to maintain the well being of our patients and to ensure they have a positive experience whilst the discharge from hospital is being facilitated.
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible
Working for our organisation
MTW is a large acute hospital trust in the south-east of England.
We provide a full range of general hospital services and some aspects of specialist and complex care to around 600,000 people living in west Kent and East Sussex. We have a team of over 8,000 full and part-time staff. We also provide specialist cancer services to around 2 million people across Kent and East Sussex via the Kent Oncology Centre.
In the 2024 NHS staff survey, our employees ranked MTW among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and the second-best Trust to work for in the South East.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s Clinical Induction Programme for Clinical Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead if this is going to be problematic: ), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. The programme includes 2 supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
We support our staff with disabilities to ensure they have the adjustments they need to be the best they can be in the workplace. Collaborating with Access to Work means that our staff are assessed by experts in the workplace and we ensure that their recommendations are implemented as quickly as possible. You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Interview Date: TBC
Person specification
Qualification
Essential criteria
1. Good level of secondary education.
2. NVQ Level 3 in Direct Care or Health, or ability to demonstrate an equivalent level of development.
3. To have received training to an Intermediate Level of dementia awareness.
4. To have an understanding with regards Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults; Mental Capacity and Deprivations of Liberty.
Desirable criteria
5. Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Dementia Care.
Experience / Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. To have experience of working with patients with dementia in the acute care setting.
7. To have knowledge with regards cognitive and social stimulation.
8. Experience with working with members of the multi-disciplinary team.
9. Awareness of the National Dementia Strategy.
10. Awareness of Trust Dementia Strategy.
Skills
Essential criteria
11. To be able to liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team
12. To be able to collect data for audit purposes
13. To be able to liaise with carers and support and signpost as appropriate.
14. To provide clear and concise documentation in line with Trust Policy.
15. Good communication skills (written and verbal)
16. IT Literate.