Job summary
This part-time, fixed-term post is a great opportunity for a practitioner experienced in memory assessment or wanting to build experience working with people with dementia and older adults, and develop skills working independently in the Lewisham community.
The post is open to registered nurses, occupational therapists and social workers. Applicants must be able to work on site and carry out home visits.
Memory Services are responsible for assessing and diagnosing people with suspected dementia, and for initiating treatment and support for people with dementia and their carers. Lewisham Memory Service is staffed by a variety of professional groups including psychiatry, nursing, social work, occupational therapy, and psychology, and operates within a multi-disciplinary framework.
We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We have training opportunities available, where you will be able to develop your skills and build on your experience to progress in your career.
Main duties of the job
This post will have a key role in providing time-limited support and interventions to people with dementia, their carers and relatives in both clinic and home-based settings. The post holder will liaise with colleagues in primary care, community health and social services, voluntary organisations and the wider mental health of older adult service as appropriate.
The post holder will be responsible for carrying out assessments (including standardised cognitive tests); formulating diagnoses and care plans with support of the MDT; communicating with clients and carers about the diagnosis and treatment options; and signposting or referring people to relevant support services.
The post holder will participate in a triage rota, screening new referrals to the service.
The post holder will be skilled in communicating clearly and sensitively, both verbally and in writing. The post holder will be able to balance providing sensitive, person-centred care with meeting targets set by NHS England around the time frame from referral to diagnosis of dementia in memory services.
About us
The Lewisham Memory Service team has true passion to promote the well-being of people with dementia and their carers. Team members work together collaboratively and support each other to ensure we offer personalised care.
Core service hours are 9-5, weekdays. The service is located at 91 Granville Park, Lewisham, SE13 7DW. The clinic is a 5-minute walk from Lewisham Station, well served by bus and train service.
Flexible working:
We are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage.
Benefits:SLaM is committed to ensuring staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance.
o Comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package, dependent on the role and length of service. o Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing. o Career development: there are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number ofprogrammes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes o Car lease o Accommodation: keyworker housing available available on selected sites o NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website o Counselling services o Wellbeing events o Long service awards o Cycle to work scheme o Season ticket loan o Childcare vouchers
Job description
Job responsibilities
The memory services are responsible for assessing and diagnosing people with a suspected dementia, and for initiating treatment and support for people with dementia and their carers. The post holder will carry out high-quality initial assessments, including standardisedcognitive testing; formulate diagnoses and care plans in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team; feed back diagnoses to service users and carers; and signpost to appropriate post-diagnostic support. The post involves writing assessment reports, diagnosis letters and other clinical letters to GP. The post involves managing a caseload of patients at varying stages of the diagnostic process, and ensuring timely access to diagnosis and care,in line with the published NHS England ambition to increase the percentage of patients diagnosed with dementia within 18 weeks of GP referral. The post-holder will also support in triaging new referrals to the service. As an assessment and diagnosis service, the memory service does not undertake longer term case management, and as such the role will include liaising with colleagues within primary care, community health and social care services, voluntary organisations and the wider mental health of older adults service as appropriate, to ensure that service users are able to promptly access the care most appropriate to theirneeds.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The memory services are responsible for assessing and diagnosing people with a suspected dementia, and for initiating treatment and support for people with dementia and their carers. The post holder will carry out high-quality initial assessments, including standardisedcognitive testing; formulate diagnoses and care plans in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team; feed back diagnoses to service users and carers; and signpost to appropriate post-diagnostic support. The post involves writing assessment reports, diagnosis letters and other clinical letters to GP. The post involves managing a caseload of patients at varying stages of the diagnostic process, and ensuring timely access to diagnosis and care,in line with the published NHS England ambition to increase the percentage of patients diagnosed with dementia within 18 weeks of GP referral. The post-holder will also support in triaging new referrals to the service. As an assessment and diagnosis service, the memory service does not undertake longer term case management, and as such the role will include liaising with colleagues within primary care, community health and social care services, voluntary organisations and the wider mental health of older adults service as appropriate, to ensure that service users are able to promptly access the care most appropriate to theirneeds.
Person Specification
Professional
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse/Qualified Social Worker/Occupational Therapist
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Knowledge of current issues in the care of older people with dementia and other acute mental health problems within the community
- Experience of assessment and casework which meets the needs of older adults with mental health problems who are supported in the community
- Skilled in the communication of sensitive issues
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and present ideas clearly and concisely
- Ability to manage own time effectively and to produce pieces of work on time and to a high standard
- Ability to manage conflict effectively and/or with the support of others
- Full commitment to equal opportunities
- Ability to work with in a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to gain easily the trust, confidence and respect of clients, their relatives and staff of a variety of levels and disciplines
- Ability to travel to client's homes throughout the Borough of Lewisham to conduct assessments.
Desirable
- ENB 998/Mentorship/Other relevant teaching qualification
- Further training relevant to Older Adult Mental Health care
- Experience of working with other client groups and of using a variety of models/approaches to care
- Knowledge and/or experience of dementia care mapping and person- centred care
- Awareness of current guidance and policy issues surrounding dementia diagnosis and care
- Experience of working with diagnostic tools and outcome measures for memory problems and dementia
- Advanced computer skills and use of spread sheets
- Understanding of the role and function of other organisations providing services to older people with mental health problems
- Working knowledge of all relevant legislation associated with mental health care, including MHA, MCA, Community Care Act, CPA and Human Rights Act
Person Specification
Professional
Essential
- Registered Mental Health Nurse/Qualified Social Worker/Occupational Therapist
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Knowledge of current issues in the care of older people with dementia and other acute mental health problems within the community
- Experience of assessment and casework which meets the needs of older adults with mental health problems who are supported in the community
- Skilled in the communication of sensitive issues
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and present ideas clearly and concisely
- Ability to manage own time effectively and to produce pieces of work on time and to a high standard
- Ability to manage conflict effectively and/or with the support of others
- Full commitment to equal opportunities
- Ability to work with in a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to gain easily the trust, confidence and respect of clients, their relatives and staff of a variety of levels and disciplines
- Ability to travel to client's homes throughout the Borough of Lewisham to conduct assessments.
Desirable
- ENB 998/Mentorship/Other relevant teaching qualification
- Further training relevant to Older Adult Mental Health care
- Experience of working with other client groups and of using a variety of models/approaches to care
- Knowledge and/or experience of dementia care mapping and person- centred care
- Awareness of current guidance and policy issues surrounding dementia diagnosis and care
- Experience of working with diagnostic tools and outcome measures for memory problems and dementia
- Advanced computer skills and use of spread sheets
- Understanding of the role and function of other organisations providing services to older people with mental health problems
- Working knowledge of all relevant legislation associated with mental health care, including MHA, MCA, Community Care Act, CPA and Human Rights Act
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
