Admiral Nurse

Job responsibilities

1. To develop and maintain a caseload of family carers and meet the multiple and often complex needs of these through ongoing assessment and review of health and wellbeing and the development, implementation and evaluation of care plans

2. Advise on, recommend and provide a range of effective interventions at any time point from pre diagnosis to beyond the death of the person cared for, paying particular attention to loss, transitions and changing relationships as times of potential stress.

3. Promote the acquisition of new skills and competencies for carers to enhance understanding and cope with challenges and difficulties they may meet, for example changing relationships and behaviours that challenge, and to promote good communication between carers and all others involved in the care of the person with dementia.

4. Provide a range of psychological and social interventions to promote health and wellbeing of family carers, and assist with the alleviation, prevention and management of stress, depression, and anxiety related to the caring role.

5. Liaise with GPs and primary health care practitioners, and statutory and voluntary agencies regarding the best possible care for the person with dementia, and promote understanding of carer needs.

6. To promote the health and wellbeing of carers and people with dementia in line with health and social care policy, guidelines and legislation

7. To act as advocates for carers (with permission) to facilitate access to services and influence care provision

8. To identify development options for addressing inequality and to contribute to strategies designed to improve access to services for people who are socially excluded.

9. To ensure that care is delivered in accordance with Admiral Nurse Service Standards and other relevant local and national standards, such as those recommended in National Service Frameworks for Older People and Mental Health and other equivalent policy across the UK.

10. To organise own work under supervision of clinical lead admiral nurse and work as part of larger multi-professional team

11. To recognise the limits of own competency and professional boundaries and to make appropriate and timely referral in respect of carers needs

12. To facilitate and participate as necessary and appropriate in case conferences, care programme approach meetings, network meetings and similar giving feedback and liaising with other professionals involved in care of the person with dementia.

13. To participate in and make effective use of clinical supervision opportunities as provided

14. To ensure all nursing practice is carried out in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures of NAViGO CIC and the NMC code of conduct, and other relevant nursing policy, and that all equipment and technologies used are appropriate and effective

15. To contribute to development of policies, procedures and protocols relevant to Admiral nursing and the health and well being of the client group

16. To provide consultancy to others working in dementia care and to work collaboratively with health/social services and the voluntary and independent sector (as appropriate)

17. To integrate into practice current knowledge of dementia and caring, informed by research and other forms of evidence

18. To take part in appropriate practice based evaluation, audit and research; to disseminate findings

19. To participate in negotiated circumstances in conferences, seminars and workshops at levels to be agreed with admiral nurse clinical lead, disseminating admiral nursing work, and promoting best practice in dementia care

20. To promote the rights, interests, needs and choices of service users in the planning, delivery and evaluation of care and services.

21. To facilitate consultation with users about service delivery; and to evaluate and provide feedback.

22. Deliver evidence based dementia care and support improvements in the experience for families affected by dementia.

23. Provide support/education to colleagues, other health and social care professionals/providers in dementia care.

24. Support the delivery of key quality and performance indicators relating to dementia care, including the experience of families.

25. Apply the Admiral Nurse Competency framework at a specialist level, including person centred care, therapeutic skills and triadic relationships, sharing knowledge, best practice and critical reflective practice.

26. Develop and/or support, in partnership with other professionals, person centred care plans for people with dementia including positive risk management.

27. Ensure that all legal requirements are considered and adhered to where appropriate to patients and carers including; Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) 2007 and Safeguarding Adults 2011.

Knowledge

Essential

• Formal knowledge of dementia/ older people acquired through clinical post-graduate training/ education - or minimum of 18 months experience of working with dementia/older people.
• Experience of working with groups and individuals in different roles and settings
• Experience of liaising with other teams or services, for example GPs, voluntary sector services

Desirable

• Involvement in innovative nursing practice.
• Previous experience as an Admiral Nurse or CPN for older people
• Worked as key-worker/care coordinator or equivalent.
• Experience of teaching or presenting skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Current Registration on part 3 or 13 of NMC register
• Willingness to work towards Level 7 qualification including the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework module

Desirable

• Evidence of post registration training specific to dementia.
• Qualification in counselling, or willingness to acquire this
• ENB 998 or other teaching certificate

Additional Criteria

Essential

• High level of knowledge about different types of dementia, clinical prognosis and complications and current care approaches.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current medication options for people with dementia.
• Demonstrable knowledge of carers needs and complexities of caring.
• Demonstrable knowledge of person centred care approaches
• Demonstrable knowledge of current service provision affecting people with dementia across health and social care.
• Demonstrable knowledge of National Dementia Strategy, Carer Strategy and End of Life Strategy
• Knowledge of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of individualised care plans.
• Evidence of knowledge of current professional issues.
• Relevant professional Mental Health legislation/guidance. Basic theoretical concepts in nursing/social work.
• NICE guidelines, NSF, Clinical Governance.

Desirable

• Degree in Dementia Studies
• Awareness of current research in the field.
• Knowledge of family therapy approaches
• Awareness of current policy and guidance in dementia.
• Knowledge of audit process.

Experience

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate all of the 6 Admiral Nurse competencies: person-centred care, therapeutic skills, triadic relationship, sharing knowledge, best practice, and critical reflective practice at specialist level.
• Ability to use a range of therapeutic skills
• Takes responsibility for own personal development. Evidence of engaging in learning activities and professional development.
• Evidence of developed communication skills. Able to communicate effectively with a range of people on a range of matters in a form that is appropriate to them and the situation.
• Evidence of an interest and enthusiasm for working with this client group
• Evidence of ability to work both within a team and autonomously
• Evidence of ability to meet changes in service needs.
• Evidence of ability to keep confidentiality

Desirable

• Mentorship experience
• Experience of using access database and other electronic recording systems
• Evidence of ability to chair meetings/discussions and make constructive contributions

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).