Permanent - 37.5 hours.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Senior Dementia Practitioner for the Plymouth Dementia Pathway at Mount Gould Hospital.
You will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team, providing a specialist service for people in Plymouth with progressive memory issues/diagnosis of dementia. You will be involved in working across the team from initial dementia assessment/diagnosis/post diagnostic follow up & treatment. You will be key in the journey for people with dementia & their carers offering support/intervention as required both within a person's home, care home setting &/or discharge from our In-Patient Unit.
We are seeking highly motivated individuals who hold a professional qualification in Mental Health or General Nursing. Experience & knowledge of dementia is essential. You must be committed to improving quality of life for people with dementia, & their family/carers, as well as leading on developing person-centred care, providing independent expert advice, information & support. You will need to be an effective communicator as the role involves liaising with a variety of professionals. This role will raise awareness/understanding & strengthen substantially so we can help those living with dementia have a better quality of life. This is an exciting opportunity for people with enthusiasm & the necessary skills to be at the forefront of a developing service.
Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.
Main duties of the job
The Plymouth Dementia Pathway undertakes comprehensive cognitive assessments for people who have or are suspected to have memory problems, to determine if further investigation is required for a formal diagnosis of dementia. Once a diagnosis is given, a range of treatment options & post diagnostic support services are offered to enable people with dementia & their relatives/carers to live well with dementia.
Your passion & enthusiasm to work with people with dementia & achieve the best possible outcomes will be evident. It is essential that you have had experience of working with people with dementia. Both community/ward based experience would be advantageous but not essential. This is a demanding role & the ability to perform under pressure, work as a member of a multidisciplinary team as well as to work autonomously is essential. You will be competent & efficient in caseload management. Excellent communication skills together with risk assessment/management skills & experience of evidence-based interventions are essential for this post.
You will be expected to act as a role model to other members of staff. Supervision of other members of the team & trainees is expected to be part of your role as you share your skills & knowledge with those around you. We will endeavour to support you to develop the skills required to thrive in this role & provide training with developmental support to pursue a fulfilling career.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values: kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
The Plymouth Dementia Pathway is operated by a small, specialist multi-disciplinary team including: Consultant Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologist, Dementia Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist, Community Care Workers, Dementia Advisors and Administrative Staff/Medical Secretaries.
The Plymouth Dementia Pathway will be growing and evolving in order to improve assessment, diagnosis and care for people with dementia and their relatives/carers. This includes timely and equal access to services, provision of evidence-based treatment, monitoring and following up.
Professional Responsibilities & Patient Contact:
The Post-holder will:
1. Be accountable for the direct patient care/support provided by the Plymouth Dementia Pathway at all times.
2. Maintain high standards of clinical/professional care/support of people with dementia, their family/carers.
3. Work as part of a MDT to ensure that the best possible outcomes are achieved for the person with dementia and their family/carer.
4. Have responsibility for own caseload of patients and take responsibility as lead professional or care co-ordinator as appropriate.
5. Identify and undertake specialist and comprehensive assessments to assist in the diagnosis of people suspected of having dementia.
6. Inform the person with a suspected dementia and/or their family/carer about the assessment and diagnosis process.
7. Take steps to obtain patient consent to care and treatment in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act.
8. Promote a recovery model that empowers people with dementia, their family/carers to be at the forefront of decision making and ownership of their treatment plans.
9. Assess the effectiveness of medication prescribed for the symptoms of dementia and report observations back to the prescriber as required.
10. Advise on, recommend and provide a range of effective evidence-based treatment and interventions plans.
11. Promote and maintain independence of people with dementia by addressing activities of daily living.
12. Re-assess people with dementia where there are changes in emotional well-being and behaviour.
13. Undertake risk assessments, devising and implementing actions and intervention plans.
14. Be responsible for decision making and co-ordination in a crisis situation.
15. Be committed to the treatment of people with dementia in the community.
16. Know when to consider and co-ordinate a psychiatric inpatient admission.
17. Complete Social Circumstances Reports and attend the Mental Health Act Tribunals as and when required.
18. Work with staff on the psychiatric inpatient unit to support discharge planning.
19. Recognise end stage dementia and liaise with specialists within the end of life care team.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills:
The Post-holder will:
1. Communicate clearly and effectively with people who have dementia, their family/carers and/or other professionals involved.
2. Be confident in communicating with people who have dementia or who have difficulties when English is not their first language.
3. Demonstrate a positive attitude, attending to people with dementia and their family/carers with respect and courtesy.
4. Receive information, analyse and formulate professional judgements.
5. Manage conflict between individuals as and when required.
6. Ensure that professional boundaries are always adhered to.
7. Collaborate and plan individual care with other teams and services.
8. Attend and represent the Plymouth Dementia Pathway in meetings.
9. Participate in various forums/steering groups within the organisation and the wider community.
Knowledge and Experience:
The Post-holder will:
1. Have experience of working in partnership with people with dementia, and their family/carers.
2. Have a sound knowledge of dementia including risk factors and preventative strategies.
3. Be aware of the assessment and diagnostic process for dementia.
4. Demonstrate understanding of treatment options for people diagnosed with dementia.
5. Inform others on how to effectively manage behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia.
6. Adhere to Policy and Legislation relating to Dementia/Mental Health.
Planning and organisational skills:
The Post-holder will:
1. Support in the meeting of targets and provide information on a regular basis.
2. Ensure that members of the team are allocated in accordance with their skill mix.
3. Ensure that relevant members of the team take a lead in clinical/professional meetings.
4. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings for the protection of people with dementia.
5. Contribute to the planning and implementation of all service developments.
6. Contribute to the review of processes and procedures within the Plymouth Dementia Pathway.
Analytical and Judgement Skills:
The Post-holder will:
1. Support in the triage of referrals to the Plymouth Dementia Pathway.
2. Provide dementia care and other interventions in the setting most appropriate to meet the patients' needs.
3. Take a lead role in crisis assessments.
4. Report any incidents of harm or near miss in line with the LSW incident reporting policy.
5. Support in the investigation of complaints and review untoward incidents.
Service Design and Improvement:
The Post-holder will:
1. Act as a role model.
2. Participate in, and lead where required, in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies.
3. Support to ensure that clinical effectiveness systems are embedded and sustainable.
4. Monitor and improve quality through ensuring compliance to NICE guidelines.
5. Empower all team members to participate in implementing change.
6. Provide expert professional advice with regard to clinical care/professional practice.
7. Promote a culture that incorporates LSW aims and values.
8. Support in the development of the workforce.
9. Provide mentorship for students and other staff.
10. Work with the Team Manager in the recruitment and selection of staff.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
* Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy using good communication skills.
* Demonstrate values of being open, compassionate and empowering.
* Ability to organise and prioritise workloads.
* Self-motivated and able to work independently.
* Ability to manage and hold difficult situations and cope with stress.
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