Job summary
Dougie Mac Hospice, in partnership with Dementia UK, is looking for an experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse (RN, RNMH, RNLD) to join our Dementia Services Team as an Admiral Nurse. This specialist role provides expert, relationship-centred support to people living with dementia and their families, particularly where needs are complex.
You will manage your own caseload, work closely with our multidisciplinary team, and play an important role in shaping and developing dementia care across the hospice. We are looking for a nurse with significant experience in dementia care, strong advocacy skills, and formal post-graduate training related to dementia.
Ongoing clinical supervision, professional development, and access to the wider Admiral Nurse network are provided through Dementia UK.
Main duties of the job
The Admiral Nurse provides specialist dementia nursing support to patients and their families across all stages of the condition, including palliative and end-of-life care. The role focuses on delivering expert assessment, evidence-based interventions, and emotional and practical support to carers, particularly where needs are complex.
Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, the Admiral Nurse ensures coordinated, relationship-centred care and helps families navigate hospice and wider health services. The post holder will also offer consultancy and guidance to colleagues, lead on dementia-related education and training, and contribute to the ongoing development, evaluation, and quality improvement of the dementia service. Advocacy for patients and families is central to the role.
About us
Dougie Mac provides compassionate care and support for adults, young adults, and children with life-limiting conditions across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. As a values-driven organisation, we strive to deliver high-quality, person-led, and inclusive care across our inpatient, community, and supportive care services. Following our merger with Approach Dementia Support and expansion into children and young adult services, Dougie Mac now supports more people than ever before across all age groups and diagnoses.
Our team is made up of dedicated, skilled professionals who are committed to delivering responsive and meaningful care in line with our hospice values. We offer a collaborative working environment with access to professional development, reflective practice, and staff wellbeing support.
Dougie Mac is proud to be a financially independent local charity, offering a competitive salary and benefits package including generous annual leave, contributory pension scheme, funded study opportunities, hospice-paid healthcare cash plan, and free on-site parking.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Clinical
Assess and meet the complex needs of patients and families affected by dementia, developing, implementing, and evaluating intervention plans.
Deliver a range of evidence-based interventions across all stages of dementia, with attention to loss, transitions, changing relationships, end-of-life, and bereavement needs.
Provide bio-psychosocial interventions to manage stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health needs of carers.
Support carers, patients, and staff in understanding and coping with complex challenges, including managing behaviours, co-morbidities, frailty, and end-of-life issues.
Maintain accurate clinical records using shared electronic databases; provide verbal and written feedback to carers, patients, and professionals.
Liaise with GPs, case managers, health and social care professionals, and voluntary sector agencies to ensure coordinated care.
Act as advocate for families, facilitating access to services and promoting rights, choices, and best interests.
Participate in case conferences, best-interest meetings, and network meetings, ensuring collaborative care planning.
Ensure compliance with local, national, and Dementia UK standards, including the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and relevant NICE guidance.
Recognize professional boundaries and make timely referrals where appropriate.
2. Education & Leadership
Provide training, mentoring, and guidance to staff and students on evidence-based dementia care, including palliative and end-of-life care.
Act as a clinical role model and mentor, promoting best practice and leadership within the hospice multidisciplinary team.
Contribute to the development and implementation of hospice dementia strategy, policies, and procedures.
Collaborate with local and national stakeholders to improve integrated care pathways and holistic models of dementia care.
Lead or support policy development, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
Lead on Admiral Nurse steering groups with Dementia UK and Dougie Mac Hospice.
3. Professional Development & Practice
Maintain professional registration in line with NMC requirements, including revalidation.
Participate in clinical supervision, practice development, and continuing professional development, including use of the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of dementia, palliative, and end-of-life care evidence and research.
Contribute to audits, service evaluations, and research to improve the delivery of dementia care.
Work collaboratively to maintain clinically effective and positive relationships across teams.
4. General Duties
Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Undertake risk assessments and maintain a safe working environment, reporting incidents and hazards appropriately.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with Data Protection legislation and hospice policies.
Participate in personal appraisal, training, and development to continually enhance knowledge and competence.
Contribute to a learning environment, liaising with the Admiral Nurse Academy at Dementia UK and other educational providers.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Clinical
Assess and meet the complex needs of patients and families affected by dementia, developing, implementing, and evaluating intervention plans.
Deliver a range of evidence-based interventions across all stages of dementia, with attention to loss, transitions, changing relationships, end-of-life, and bereavement needs.
Provide bio-psychosocial interventions to manage stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health needs of carers.
Support carers, patients, and staff in understanding and coping with complex challenges, including managing behaviours, co-morbidities, frailty, and end-of-life issues.
Maintain accurate clinical records using shared electronic databases; provide verbal and written feedback to carers, patients, and professionals.
Liaise with GPs, case managers, health and social care professionals, and voluntary sector agencies to ensure coordinated care.
Act as advocate for families, facilitating access to services and promoting rights, choices, and best interests.
Participate in case conferences, best-interest meetings, and network meetings, ensuring collaborative care planning.
Ensure compliance with local, national, and Dementia UK standards, including the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, and relevant NICE guidance.
Recognize professional boundaries and make timely referrals where appropriate.
2. Education & Leadership
Provide training, mentoring, and guidance to staff and students on evidence-based dementia care, including palliative and end-of-life care.
Act as a clinical role model and mentor, promoting best practice and leadership within the hospice multidisciplinary team.
Contribute to the development and implementation of hospice dementia strategy, policies, and procedures.
Collaborate with local and national stakeholders to improve integrated care pathways and holistic models of dementia care.
Lead or support policy development, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
Lead on Admiral Nurse steering groups with Dementia UK and Dougie Mac Hospice.
3. Professional Development & Practice
Maintain professional registration in line with NMC requirements, including revalidation.
Participate in clinical supervision, practice development, and continuing professional development, including use of the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of dementia, palliative, and end-of-life care evidence and research.
Contribute to audits, service evaluations, and research to improve the delivery of dementia care.
Work collaboratively to maintain clinically effective and positive relationships across teams.
4. General Duties
Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
Undertake risk assessments and maintain a safe working environment, reporting incidents and hazards appropriately.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with Data Protection legislation and hospice policies.
Participate in personal appraisal, training, and development to continually enhance knowledge and competence.
Contribute to a learning environment, liaising with the Admiral Nurse Academy at Dementia UK and other educational providers.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- High standard written and spoken English
- High standard of numeracy skills
- Registered Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD)
- Post registration qualification/training in dementia and/or care of older people with mental health needs
- or
- Post registration clinical experience of working with people with dementia /older adults with mental health needs (as below)
- Commitment to continued professional development through Dementia UKs Admiral Nurse Academy.
- Completion of Dementia UK pre-Admiral Nurse e-learning course prior to starting in post
- A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential
Desirable
- Willing to continue studying to masters level
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Additional nursing qualification
- Relevant teaching qualification
- Mentorship Qualification
- Masters level qualification in Dementia / Frailty or relevant area
- Qualification in group / individual counselling skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of operating in a mutli-disciplinary environment.
- Programme and project management experience.
- Experience in identifying service needs and delivering innovative solutions.
- Experience in identifying business opportunities and utilising them.
- Substantial previous experience in database management.
- Experience of working with family carers/ supporters/ of people with dementia in different settings.
- Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings
- Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
- Experience of working with service users to develop practice
- completing holistic nursing assessments
- providing bio-psychosocial interventions
Desirable
- Experience of working with volunteers and supporters of a cause.
- Experience of professional supervision of staff
- Experience of evaluation or audit.
- Experience of casework coordination
- Experience of working at an operational level and strategically.
- Substantial previous experience of administration within a busy professional office environment.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Demonstrate all the 6 Admiral Nurse competencies:
- person-centred care
- therapeutic skills
- triadic relationship centred working
- sharing knowledge
- delivering best practice
- critical reflective practice
- Skills to operate as a specialist Nurse:
- strong communication skills
- facilitation/presentation skills
- expert clinical practice
- ability to act as a decision maker and advocate
- ability to use appropriate information technology, including MS office software to enable efficient service delivery
- Knowledge and understanding of:
- relevant policies/national strategy in relation to dementia care
- Admiral Nursing and its application
- dementia and its impact of families
- evidence based practice in dementia care
- effective role-modelling
- A personal approach.
- Self-motivated and have initiative.
- Have an excellent telephone manner, eloquent, clear diction, and excellent enunciation.
- Resourceful and creative.
- Ability to relate to the multi-disciplinary team in the hospice.
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail are essential to the role.
- Ability to analyse and evaluate complex information from a range of sources to form judgements and make decisions.
- Ability to prioritise tasks, appropriately delegate and manage time effectively.
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to provide support to team members
- Positive mental attitude and a willingness to discuss and negotiate issues and ideas
- Able to work on own initiative
- Ability to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy.
- Ability to treat clients with respect and dignity, adopting a culturally sensitive approach which considers the needs of the whole person
- Good understanding of role, and of wider operational / organisational networks
- Wear a uniform and adhere to the clinical dress code.
- Have a flexible approach to hours and days of work
- Flexible approach to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
- Knowledge and appreciation of Charity Commission guidelines and regulations
- Understanding of competency frameworks and systematic practice development within healthcare cultures
- Research skills and application to practice
- Ability to operate effectively with a constantly developing relationship with key stakeholders and associated agencies
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- High standard written and spoken English
- High standard of numeracy skills
- Registered Nurse (RMN/RGN/RNLD)
- Post registration qualification/training in dementia and/or care of older people with mental health needs
- or
- Post registration clinical experience of working with people with dementia /older adults with mental health needs (as below)
- Commitment to continued professional development through Dementia UKs Admiral Nurse Academy.
- Completion of Dementia UK pre-Admiral Nurse e-learning course prior to starting in post
- A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential
Desirable
- Willing to continue studying to masters level
- Evidence of continuous professional development.
- Additional nursing qualification
- Relevant teaching qualification
- Mentorship Qualification
- Masters level qualification in Dementia / Frailty or relevant area
- Qualification in group / individual counselling skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience of operating in a mutli-disciplinary environment.
- Programme and project management experience.
- Experience in identifying service needs and delivering innovative solutions.
- Experience in identifying business opportunities and utilising them.
- Substantial previous experience in database management.
- Experience of working with family carers/ supporters/ of people with dementia in different settings.
- Experience of working with groups and individuals in a variety of roles and settings
- Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
- Experience of working with service users to develop practice
- completing holistic nursing assessments
- providing bio-psychosocial interventions
Desirable
- Experience of working with volunteers and supporters of a cause.
- Experience of professional supervision of staff
- Experience of evaluation or audit.
- Experience of casework coordination
- Experience of working at an operational level and strategically.
- Substantial previous experience of administration within a busy professional office environment.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Demonstrate all the 6 Admiral Nurse competencies:
- person-centred care
- therapeutic skills
- triadic relationship centred working
- sharing knowledge
- delivering best practice
- critical reflective practice
- Skills to operate as a specialist Nurse:
- strong communication skills
- facilitation/presentation skills
- expert clinical practice
- ability to act as a decision maker and advocate
- ability to use appropriate information technology, including MS office software to enable efficient service delivery
- Knowledge and understanding of:
- relevant policies/national strategy in relation to dementia care
- Admiral Nursing and its application
- dementia and its impact of families
- evidence based practice in dementia care
- effective role-modelling
- A personal approach.
- Self-motivated and have initiative.
- Have an excellent telephone manner, eloquent, clear diction, and excellent enunciation.
- Resourceful and creative.
- Ability to relate to the multi-disciplinary team in the hospice.
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail are essential to the role.
- Ability to analyse and evaluate complex information from a range of sources to form judgements and make decisions.
- Ability to prioritise tasks, appropriately delegate and manage time effectively.
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to provide support to team members
- Positive mental attitude and a willingness to discuss and negotiate issues and ideas
- Able to work on own initiative
- Ability to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy.
- Ability to treat clients with respect and dignity, adopting a culturally sensitive approach which considers the needs of the whole person
- Good understanding of role, and of wider operational / organisational networks
- Wear a uniform and adhere to the clinical dress code.
- Have a flexible approach to hours and days of work
- Flexible approach to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
- Knowledge and appreciation of Charity Commission guidelines and regulations
- Understanding of competency frameworks and systematic practice development within healthcare cultures
- Research skills and application to practice
- Ability to operate effectively with a constantly developing relationship with key stakeholders and associated agencies
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
