Job summary

37.5 hours per week. 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 and post diagnostic support services are offered to enable people with dementia and their relatives/carers to live well with dementia. Information, advice and re-assessments are offered throughout a persons dementia journey. It is operated by a small, specialist multi-disciplinary team including: Consultant Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologist, Dementia Practitioners, 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.

Subsequently, there is an exciting opportunity for two Dementia Practitioners to join the Plymouth Dementia Pathway. We are seeking to recruit experienced, visionary, dedicated and motivated individuals to join the team. This is an ideal post for those seeking a change of direction or experienced practitioners looking to professionally develop. You will be a qualified mental health or adult nurse.

Main duties of the job

Effectively managing a caseload of people at various stages of dementia. Completing dementia assessments, utilising cognitive tools for new referrals. Providing specialist info and advice to referrers, professionals, carers and families in relation to the care and treatment of people with dementia. Providing a proactive and interactive assessment, care and management to people with dementia both within their own home and care home setting. Work collaboratively with key partner organisations, people with dementia, carers, clinicians and other practitioners within a multi-disciplinary team in delivering services. Assessing risk and responding in an appropriate and timely manner alongside formulation of risk management plans and monitoring the effectiveness of any treatment plan. Making applications for Mental Health Act Assessments for people with dementia who pose a risk to self and/or others and are unable to be full assessed or treated in the community requiring admission to In-Patient setting. Supporting with discharges and reviews from In-Patient settings to either home or care home setting. Supporting prescribers in the initiation/titration of dementia medications and anti-psychotics. Supporting and supervising junior staff primarily Community Support Workers who will work under your direction but also student learners attached to the team. Actively participating in service development activities including service reviews, audits and Care Quality Commission visits.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.

We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.

Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:

Protected CPD time for registered staff

Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff

Leadership & mentoring programmes

Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training

A Robust Preceptorship

A bespoke induction programme

Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Professional Responsibilities & Patient Contact:

The Post-holder will:

Provide evidence based clinical interventions, making autonomous clinical decisions about their own professional practice.

Undertake specialist assessments to assist in the diagnosis of people suspected of having dementia.

Re-assess people with dementia where there are changes in emotional wellbeing and behaviour

Maintain high standards of patient care, ensuring individuality and dignity is maintained at all times, while promoting independence wherever safely possible.

Educate professionals, carers and families to identify and manage Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

Monitor the effectiveness of medication prescribed for the symptoms of dementia and report back to the prescriber as required.

Promote a recovery model that empowers people with dementia, their carers and family to be at the forefront of decision making and ownership of their treatment plans.

Undertake clinical risk assessments, based on latest empirical evidence and compliant with local policies and procedure

Promote least restrictive practice, interventions that cause less disruptions or change in the circumstances of the person with dementia and which maximize their independence and freedom, with due attention to the safety of others.

Ensure people with dementia are aware of their rights to and the availability of local advocacy services. If appropriate to the immediate situation an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) to be contacted.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills:

The Post-holder will:

Provide complex and sensitive information and advice

Provide a high standard of written and verbal communication

Communicate information in a way that makes it relevant and understandable

Arrange for an Interpreter as and when required.

Demonstrate empathy, respect, compassion and hope where there may be barriers to understanding

Adhere to patient information sharing, data protection and confidentially policies.

Maintain professional relationships with all colleagues to ensure professional standards are met

Ensure effective liaison with and feedback to referrers and all other relevant agencies within established timescales

Attend and participate in meetings for example: Adult Protection and Risk Management Meetings, Best Interest Meetings, Mental Health Review Tribunals, NHS and Continuing Healthcare Meetings, CPA Review Meetings, Team Meetings etc.

Maintain up to date clinical records in a timely and accurate manner.

Ensure all records are kept safely in accordance with LSW policies, including the Data Protection Act and LSW Confidentially Policy.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills:

The Post-holder will:

Be able to receive information, analyse and formulate professional judgment with support from senior qualified staff as required.

Discuss and arrange appropriate welfare checks with police response as required under guidance from senior staff

Assist with ensuring day to day practice reflects the highest standards of governance, clinical effectiveness, safety and person experience

Report any incidents of harm or near miss in line with the LSW incident reporting policy. Acting appropriately that actions are taken to reduce the risk of reoccurrence.

Be aware of complaints procedure

Planning and Organisational Skills:

The Post-holder will:

Demonstrate the ability to manage conflicting demand on time and the ability to prioritise clinical work effectively

Work without direct management and take accountability for your own actions as and when required.

Delegate tasks, ensuring that the person delegated to is appropriately skilled to do so.

Proactively explore opportunities for and take the lead on developing reflective practice within the clinical areas.

Personal and Professional Development:

The Post-holder will:

At all times adhere to NMC Guidelines and Standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

Maintain an up to date professional registration and to work in accordance with the NMC guidelines around Continued Professional Development and be able to evidence this via a portfolio.

Have awareness and working knowledge of NICE guidance and other statutory / best practice guidelines.

Work within legal frameworks such as:, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Care Act, Human Rights Act etc.

Have good understanding and knowledge of dementia including BPSD

Have a sound knowledge of ACI Medications including Memantine and AntiPsychotics which maybe prescribed to treat the symptoms of dementia.

Ensure LSW Policy Supervision is implemented; this will include providing and receiving Clinical Supervision, Line Management and Caseload Supervision

Ensure that LSW Mandatory Training is maintained alongside any Training specifically link to job role and responsibilities

Monitor practice and development of junior staff as appropriate reporting to supervisory staff

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities:

The Post-holder will:

Have a working knowledge of LSW Policies and Procedures.

Promote a culture that incorporates Organisational aim and values

Empower all team members to participate in implementing change by using problem solving, considering potential conflicts and planning resolution.

Participate in the development the Plymouth Dementia Pathway.

Ensure participation in the teams compliance with CQC standards as directed by clinical

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional qualification and registration such as: RMN, RGN, Social Worker Degree or equivalent, BSc/Diploma in OT
• Evidence of Continued Professional Development

Desirable

• Evidence of further learning and development specifically in the area of Dementia
• Teaching and Supervision experience

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people with dementia
• Undertaking comprehensive, evidence based assessments
• Cognitive assessment and Mood Tools
• Assessing risk and positive risk management
• Managing referrals, transfers and discharges
• Multi-disciplinary work

Desirable

• Mentoring students in line with professional requirements

Knowledge

Essential

• Dementia.
• Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia
• Range of therapeutic techniques
• Pharmacological Interventions in Dementia
• CPA including integrated care planning
• Mental Health Act
• Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children Principles

Desirable

• National Dementia Strategies
• NICE Guidelines appropriate to service
• Care Act and service provisions for people with dementia and their carers
• Advocacy including IMCA/IMHA

Skills

Essential

• Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.
  
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