Job summary
Job Overview:
The role of the Developmental Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is to assist the lead Dementia and Delirium CNS to manage and provide specialist clinical care for both outpatient and inpatients (NHS and Private Care) across Hospital(s) and local agencies. This post is employed by St Georges University Hospital however the role itself is based at both Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and flexible working across both sites is required.
The Developmental CNS should assist in the use of evidence-based practice, in line with current research, guidelines and other available evidence. They should ensure that patients and their families are fully informed about their journey through the service and utilise other members of the multi-disciplinary team when required; to increase knowledge and skills and to ensure delivery of reliable high-quality care. The developmental DaD CNS will work as part of the Group Fundamentals of Care Team, supporting the Dementia and Delirium service, providing the necessary assistance and delivery of procedures, and providing nurse leadership as required.
This Band 6 Developmental Clinical Nurse Specialist - Dementia and Delirium position is a role for an approachable, enthusiastic and motivated nurse who has a keen interest in elderly care medicine; specifically, dementia and delirium; and has a passion for patient safety and quality improvement and a desire to further develop their nursing practice.
Main duties of the job
Ensure that patients always receive a high level of fundamentals of care. Assist the CNS to contribute to the monitoring of this through audit or other KPIs/ or outcome measures.
Ensure effective patient centred care is provided to patients who have or are at risk of complications related to your speciality of Dementia and Delirium
Work towards developing Advanced Nursing knowledge and skills to enhance the holistic management, experience and pathways for patients with Dementia and Delirium. Take personal responsibility to ensure your own personal and professional development, which may include any competency frameworks in your speciality of Dementia and Delirium.
Support all aspects of the Dementia and Delirium service across the Trust with the CNS and other team members.
Provide information and advice to healthcare professionals about the DaD service using your clinical judgement. Act as an information resource on Dementia and Delirium related issues in line with your role.
Assist with the provision and delivery of education and training (both formal and informal) about the DaD service, to all levels of staff and disciplines.
To highlight or escalate issues around effectiveness and efficiency. To manage any equipment required or specific to the Dementia and Delirium service
To support and assist with audits on Dementia and Delirium care in collaboration with the lead CNS to develop the DaD service where appropriate
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed Job Description:
Clinical Practice
- To work as part of a Multidisciplinary Team across both hospital sites to promote good communication and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
- Involvement in multidisciplinary assessment of patients referred to the Dementia and Delirium Service as directed by the CNS.
- To work in partnership with patients to enable them to make informed choices about their care and treatment.
- Work effectively with interpreters where language is a barrier and/or with other health care professionals/ where there is a learning, mental/physical barrier to under-standing and providing care.
- To have a good working knowledge of the available Dementia and Delirium Screening Tools, including benefits and limitations, can complete appropriately in practice and support ward-based staff in the clinical areas in addition to providing structured training sessions.
- Work within the guidelines and protocols in place, to provide assessment, management, education, information, and support for both in and outpatients areas and their families/caregivers
- To effectively manage own caseload including areas of concern, acting as patients advocate, when necessary, in liaison with the CNS.
- To carry out initial assessment of patients referred to the Dementia and Delirium service, liaising with CNS and relevant members of the MDT.
- To ensure assessments are carried out in a timely and appropriate fashion to maximise patient safety.
- To review patients on an as-required basis to support the assessment and management of complex dementia and delirium presentations, including patients who may exhibit distress or behaviours that challenge, where this may impact on care delivery, safety, or timely discharge.
- To develop and maintain expertise in non-pharmacological interventions to relieve symptoms of stress and distress of dementia
- To undertake and support comprehensive cognitive and delirium assessments, contributing to the identification, prevention and management of delirium in line with national guidance, and promoting person-centred dementia care within the acute setting.
- To provide specialist clinical advice and support to ward teams in relation to dementia and delirium care, including non-pharmacological approaches, communication strategies, environmental adaptations and personalised care planning.
- To support ward staff in developing competence and confidence in caring for patients living with dementia and those experiencing delirium, including role modelling best practice and signposting to relevant training and resources.
- To engage in reflective practice principles as a method of ensuring that appropriate effective nursing care is delivered to each patient.
- Adhere to the infection control policy and promote the policy within the assessment setting with all professionals who are interacting in patient care.
- To work without direct supervision
- To contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines, care pathways, protocols and documentation relating to dementia and delirium, ensuring high standards of care and continuity across inpatient areas.
- To maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive nursing records, using appropriate documentation systems to reflect assessments, interventions and patient outcomes related to dementia and delirium care.
- To work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team, including medical staff, therapists, discharge teams and community services, to support safe, timely and effective discharge planning for patients with cognitive impairment.
- To develop and maintain effective links with community services, social care, voluntary Organisations and other NHS Trusts, supporting continuity of care for patients living with dementia and their carers.
- To possess a working understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, including assessment of capacity, best interest decision-making, and appropriate use of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), working within safeguarding frameworks and liaising with external agencies as required.
- To review patients on an as necessary basis, to troubleshoot complex issues managing patients that exhibits behaviour that challenges.
- To work with patients and their carers' carrying out clinical/therapeutic assessments to identify needs, provide relevant support, information, counselling, education and advice.
- To be able to communicate effectively with patients with dementia and delirium- using a range of verbal and non- verbal skills.
- To work closely with external providers to ensure that patients are directed to the right support and services available to them.
- To be able to prepare detailed reports or referrals when required.
Professional Leadership and Management
- In the absence of the CNS, to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Dementia and Delirium Service.
- To contribute to the implementation of service improvements/developments and the development of evidence-based guidelines/policies relating to Dementia and Delirium support.
- To implement changes as directed by the CNS to promote innovation ensuring best practice.
- To benchmarks the service against national standards and contributes to the Trust quality governance agenda
- Report all serious untoward clinical incidents in the appropriate manner to the Group Associate Director of Nursing for Fundamentals of Care (or other appropriate Trust manager). Facilitate any investigation and implement remedial action in the clinical area.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of clinical governance
- Always ensure confidentiality of all patient and staff information
Education, Training and Development:
- To provide information for patients, carers' and health professionals about dementia and early recognition of delirium
- To ensure appropriate information and educational literature is available to help patients make informed choices about their treatment plan.
- Under the direction of the CNS, identify educational/training needs of healthcare professionals caring for patients with dementia and delirium and participate in formal and informal education programmes,
- To assist in the audits within the Group Fundamentals of Care Team, in particular ensuring dementia carer' surveys are completed and recommendations developed.
- To achieve and maintain a range of clinical competencies as required in relation to Dementia and Delirium (DaD), including but not limited to delirium screening and management, implementation of person-centred dementia care approaches, management of distress and behaviours that challenge, and application of evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions within the acute hospital setting.
- Participate in Awareness Weeks/Activities in relation to all specialties within Group Fundamentals of Care.
- Keep up to date with current literature and research in nursing and within the field of Dementia and Delirium
- To manage study, leave in accordance with trust policy, promoting professional development, which is responsive to service need.
- To maintain your own personal and professional development in accordance with NMC requirements, attending mandatory and statutory training annually as required.
- To actively participate in own annual appraisal review
- To keep up to date with NMC, and Trust guidelines and protocols.
- To adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct working within and accepting responsibility for maintaining agreed levels of competence.
Evaluation of Care and Research:
- Work with the service, to enhance the level of clinical engagement across all professions particularly regarding new care models and new ways of working.
- To maintain up to date records by entering data onto a data base.
- Keep up to date with current literature in specialist area.
- Communicate research findings relating them to clinical problems.
- To participate in research and audit and to take appropriate action in response to findings.
Human Resources:
To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Develop IT skills to be able to access information through ICLIP
- Utilise Microsoft Excel to a level of competence
- Work with MS Forms as a tool to capture information
- Develop & deliver PowerPoint presentations confidently
- To ensure compliance with the Trusts Equality and Diversity Policy.
- To have an awareness of and work within data protection policies
- To support interviews within the Corporate Nursing Division.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Detailed Job Description:
Clinical Practice
- To work as part of a Multidisciplinary Team across both hospital sites to promote good communication and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
- Involvement in multidisciplinary assessment of patients referred to the Dementia and Delirium Service as directed by the CNS.
- To work in partnership with patients to enable them to make informed choices about their care and treatment.
- Work effectively with interpreters where language is a barrier and/or with other health care professionals/ where there is a learning, mental/physical barrier to under-standing and providing care.
- To have a good working knowledge of the available Dementia and Delirium Screening Tools, including benefits and limitations, can complete appropriately in practice and support ward-based staff in the clinical areas in addition to providing structured training sessions.
- Work within the guidelines and protocols in place, to provide assessment, management, education, information, and support for both in and outpatients areas and their families/caregivers
- To effectively manage own caseload including areas of concern, acting as patients advocate, when necessary, in liaison with the CNS.
- To carry out initial assessment of patients referred to the Dementia and Delirium service, liaising with CNS and relevant members of the MDT.
- To ensure assessments are carried out in a timely and appropriate fashion to maximise patient safety.
- To review patients on an as-required basis to support the assessment and management of complex dementia and delirium presentations, including patients who may exhibit distress or behaviours that challenge, where this may impact on care delivery, safety, or timely discharge.
- To develop and maintain expertise in non-pharmacological interventions to relieve symptoms of stress and distress of dementia
- To undertake and support comprehensive cognitive and delirium assessments, contributing to the identification, prevention and management of delirium in line with national guidance, and promoting person-centred dementia care within the acute setting.
- To provide specialist clinical advice and support to ward teams in relation to dementia and delirium care, including non-pharmacological approaches, communication strategies, environmental adaptations and personalised care planning.
- To support ward staff in developing competence and confidence in caring for patients living with dementia and those experiencing delirium, including role modelling best practice and signposting to relevant training and resources.
- To engage in reflective practice principles as a method of ensuring that appropriate effective nursing care is delivered to each patient.
- Adhere to the infection control policy and promote the policy within the assessment setting with all professionals who are interacting in patient care.
- To work without direct supervision
- To contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical guidelines, care pathways, protocols and documentation relating to dementia and delirium, ensuring high standards of care and continuity across inpatient areas.
- To maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive nursing records, using appropriate documentation systems to reflect assessments, interventions and patient outcomes related to dementia and delirium care.
- To work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team, including medical staff, therapists, discharge teams and community services, to support safe, timely and effective discharge planning for patients with cognitive impairment.
- To develop and maintain effective links with community services, social care, voluntary Organisations and other NHS Trusts, supporting continuity of care for patients living with dementia and their carers.
- To possess a working understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, including assessment of capacity, best interest decision-making, and appropriate use of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), working within safeguarding frameworks and liaising with external agencies as required.
- To review patients on an as necessary basis, to troubleshoot complex issues managing patients that exhibits behaviour that challenges.
- To work with patients and their carers' carrying out clinical/therapeutic assessments to identify needs, provide relevant support, information, counselling, education and advice.
- To be able to communicate effectively with patients with dementia and delirium- using a range of verbal and non- verbal skills.
- To work closely with external providers to ensure that patients are directed to the right support and services available to them.
- To be able to prepare detailed reports or referrals when required.
Professional Leadership and Management
- In the absence of the CNS, to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Dementia and Delirium Service.
- To contribute to the implementation of service improvements/developments and the development of evidence-based guidelines/policies relating to Dementia and Delirium support.
- To implement changes as directed by the CNS to promote innovation ensuring best practice.
- To benchmarks the service against national standards and contributes to the Trust quality governance agenda
- Report all serious untoward clinical incidents in the appropriate manner to the Group Associate Director of Nursing for Fundamentals of Care (or other appropriate Trust manager). Facilitate any investigation and implement remedial action in the clinical area.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of clinical governance
- Always ensure confidentiality of all patient and staff information
Education, Training and Development:
- To provide information for patients, carers' and health professionals about dementia and early recognition of delirium
- To ensure appropriate information and educational literature is available to help patients make informed choices about their treatment plan.
- Under the direction of the CNS, identify educational/training needs of healthcare professionals caring for patients with dementia and delirium and participate in formal and informal education programmes,
- To assist in the audits within the Group Fundamentals of Care Team, in particular ensuring dementia carer' surveys are completed and recommendations developed.
- To achieve and maintain a range of clinical competencies as required in relation to Dementia and Delirium (DaD), including but not limited to delirium screening and management, implementation of person-centred dementia care approaches, management of distress and behaviours that challenge, and application of evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions within the acute hospital setting.
- Participate in Awareness Weeks/Activities in relation to all specialties within Group Fundamentals of Care.
- Keep up to date with current literature and research in nursing and within the field of Dementia and Delirium
- To manage study, leave in accordance with trust policy, promoting professional development, which is responsive to service need.
- To maintain your own personal and professional development in accordance with NMC requirements, attending mandatory and statutory training annually as required.
- To actively participate in own annual appraisal review
- To keep up to date with NMC, and Trust guidelines and protocols.
- To adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct working within and accepting responsibility for maintaining agreed levels of competence.
Evaluation of Care and Research:
- Work with the service, to enhance the level of clinical engagement across all professions particularly regarding new care models and new ways of working.
- To maintain up to date records by entering data onto a data base.
- Keep up to date with current literature in specialist area.
- Communicate research findings relating them to clinical problems.
- To participate in research and audit and to take appropriate action in response to findings.
Human Resources:
To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Develop IT skills to be able to access information through ICLIP
- Utilise Microsoft Excel to a level of competence
- Work with MS Forms as a tool to capture information
- Develop & deliver PowerPoint presentations confidently
- To ensure compliance with the Trusts Equality and Diversity Policy.
- To have an awareness of and work within data protection policies
- To support interviews within the Corporate Nursing Division.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Post registration course / diploma in relevant speciality.
- Registered Nurse
Desirable
- Dementia/Delirium Course / Module
- Recognised Teaching and Assessing certificate
Experience
Essential
- Considerable post graduate nursing experience.
- Teaching/supervision of other Healthcare Professionals
Desirable
- Involvement with nursing research.
- Understanding of budgetary management
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Post registration course / diploma in relevant speciality.
- Registered Nurse
Desirable
- Dementia/Delirium Course / Module
- Recognised Teaching and Assessing certificate
Experience
Essential
- Considerable post graduate nursing experience.
- Teaching/supervision of other Healthcare Professionals
Desirable
- Involvement with nursing research.
- Understanding of budgetary management
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).
