Job summary
We are seeking a Dementia Support Practitioner to help with timely assessment and improve patient flow across the dementia pathway. The post will be for a minimum of 15 hours per week, with scope for some additional hours/work.
This role will focus on supporting the Memory Assessment Service (MAS), St Austell Healthcare (SAHC), and associated primary care teams by conducting cognitive screening assessments (including the mini-ACE) and helping patients and families understand straightforward dementia diagnoses in a compassionate, accessible way.
The post holder will work closely with clinicians, GPs, and MAS teams to ensure patients receive clear information, effective signposting, and appropriate onward referral.
Additional Information:
- Training on mini-ACE administration will be provided if required.
- The post holder will not make diagnoses but will support the communication of straightforward diagnoses as delegated by a clinician.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
Advantages Include:
- 6 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- Increased annual leave with long service
- NHS pension scheme
- Salary sacrifice electric car and bike schemes
- Free staff wellbeing support
Main duties of the job
1. Cognitive Screening & Assessment
- Conduct mini-ACE cognitive assessments to support the timely triage and identification of cognitive impairment.
- Record findings accurately and share results with the MAS team or GP as required.
- Support clinicians in preparing information for diagnosis discussions.
- To conduct 6-cits memory assessments under supervision of GP team
- To conduct annual dementia QOF reviews under the supervision of GP team
2. Patient & Family Support
- Provide clear, straightforward explanations of dementia diagnoses (when clinically appropriate and agreed with the supervising clinician).
- Offer emotional support and ensure patients and families feel informed, reassured, and supported throughout the process.
- Provide accessible information about dementia, treatment pathways, and what to expect after diagnosis.
3. Backlog Reduction & Pathway Support
- Prioritise patients currently delayed within the PCDP backlog to restore timely access to assessment and support.
- Work collaboratively with SAHC and MAS staff to ensure efficient patient flow.
- Escalate any complex or unclear cases to senior clinicians.
4. Signposting & Care Coordination
- Provide patients and carers with information on local dementia support services, social prescribing options, voluntary sector support, and community resources.
- Facilitate smooth transitions into post-diagnostic support.
- Ensure continuity of communication between MAS, primary care, and community services.
About us
St Austell Healthcare has a strong
multidisciplinary team comprising GPs, ANPs, Nurses, Paramedics and Pharmacists
and an ethos for innovation and collaboration with health and social care
partners.
We are an award winning, happy team and take pride in our work and the
care we offer our 38,000 patients.
We are constantly seeking new ways of working to
enhance service provision and the patient experience, introducing new
technologies and methods of working to meet the expectations of our patient
group. We are ambitious and wish to provide the best service we can for the
people of St Austell and Mevagissey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will focus on supporting the Memory Assessment Service (MAS), St Austell Healthcare (SAHC), and associated primary care teams by conducting cognitive screening assessments (including the mini-ACE) and helping patients and families understand straightforward dementia diagnoses in a compassionate, accessible way.
The post holder will work closely with clinicians, GPs, and MAS teams to ensure patients receive clear information, effective signposting, and appropriate onward referral.
Additional Information
- Training on mini-ACE administration will be provided if required.
- The post holder will not make diagnoses but will support the communication of straightforward diagnoses as delegated by a clinician.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Cognitive Screening & Assessment
- Conduct mini-ACE cognitive assessments to support the timely triage and identification of cognitive impairment.
- Record findings accurately and share results with the MAS team or GP as required.
- Support clinicians in preparing information for diagnosis discussions.
- To conduct 6-cits memory assessments under supervision of GP team
- To conduct annual dementia QOF reviews under the supervision of GP team
2. Patient & Family Support
- Provide clear, straightforward explanations of dementia diagnoses (when clinically appropriate and agreed with the supervising clinician).
- Offer emotional support and ensure patients and families feel informed, reassured, and supported throughout the process.
- Provide accessible information about dementia, treatment pathways, and what to expect after diagnosis.
3. Backlog Reduction & Pathway Support
- Prioritise patients currently delayed within the PCDP backlog to restore timely access to assessment and support.
- Work collaboratively with SAHC and MAS staff to ensure efficient patient flow.
- Escalate any complex or unclear cases to senior clinicians.
4. Signposting & Care Coordination
- Provide patients and carers with information on local dementia support services, social prescribing options, voluntary sector support, and community resources.
- Facilitate smooth transitions into post-diagnostic support.
- Ensure continuity of communication between MAS, primary care, and community services.
5. Administration & Documentation
- Maintain clear, accurate, and timely records in line with service protocols.
- Contribute to monitoring and reporting activity aimed at reducing the PCDP backlog.
- Participate in team meetings, audits, and service development discussions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will focus on supporting the Memory Assessment Service (MAS), St Austell Healthcare (SAHC), and associated primary care teams by conducting cognitive screening assessments (including the mini-ACE) and helping patients and families understand straightforward dementia diagnoses in a compassionate, accessible way.
The post holder will work closely with clinicians, GPs, and MAS teams to ensure patients receive clear information, effective signposting, and appropriate onward referral.
Additional Information
- Training on mini-ACE administration will be provided if required.
- The post holder will not make diagnoses but will support the communication of straightforward diagnoses as delegated by a clinician.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Cognitive Screening & Assessment
- Conduct mini-ACE cognitive assessments to support the timely triage and identification of cognitive impairment.
- Record findings accurately and share results with the MAS team or GP as required.
- Support clinicians in preparing information for diagnosis discussions.
- To conduct 6-cits memory assessments under supervision of GP team
- To conduct annual dementia QOF reviews under the supervision of GP team
2. Patient & Family Support
- Provide clear, straightforward explanations of dementia diagnoses (when clinically appropriate and agreed with the supervising clinician).
- Offer emotional support and ensure patients and families feel informed, reassured, and supported throughout the process.
- Provide accessible information about dementia, treatment pathways, and what to expect after diagnosis.
3. Backlog Reduction & Pathway Support
- Prioritise patients currently delayed within the PCDP backlog to restore timely access to assessment and support.
- Work collaboratively with SAHC and MAS staff to ensure efficient patient flow.
- Escalate any complex or unclear cases to senior clinicians.
4. Signposting & Care Coordination
- Provide patients and carers with information on local dementia support services, social prescribing options, voluntary sector support, and community resources.
- Facilitate smooth transitions into post-diagnostic support.
- Ensure continuity of communication between MAS, primary care, and community services.
5. Administration & Documentation
- Maintain clear, accurate, and timely records in line with service protocols.
- Contribute to monitoring and reporting activity aimed at reducing the PCDP backlog.
- Participate in team meetings, audits, and service development discussions.
Person Specification
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Experience working with people living with dementia or cognitive impairment (health, social care, or voluntary sector).
- Ability to conduct structured assessments such as the mini-ACE (training can be provided).
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence explaining diagnoses in simple, sensitive language.
- Empathy, patience, and the ability to support individuals at a vulnerable time.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload effectively
Desirable
- Previous experience in a Memory Assessment Service or Primary Care Dementia Pathway.
- Knowledge of local dementia services and support networks
Person Specification
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Experience working with people living with dementia or cognitive impairment (health, social care, or voluntary sector).
- Ability to conduct structured assessments such as the mini-ACE (training can be provided).
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence explaining diagnoses in simple, sensitive language.
- Empathy, patience, and the ability to support individuals at a vulnerable time.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload effectively
Desirable
- Previous experience in a Memory Assessment Service or Primary Care Dementia Pathway.
- Knowledge of local dementia services and support networks
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
