Job summary
This is an exciting new opportunity for someone experienced in dementia care to contribute to the memory assessment and diagnostic services in Wiltshire
This role will support the function of our existing Memory Assessment and Care Home Liaison Services by proactively working across a number of clinical settings where people may need to receive a memory assessment.
This role will work autonomously to identify people requiring memory assessments across a range of clinical settings. The post holder will use their clinical judgement to undertake appropriate assessments of cognition and functioning to support diagnostic decision making with the wider multi-disciplinary team.
The role will also require working with a range of colleagues within the health and social care system to identify people needing an assessment. There will also be opportunities to work with family members and carers of people with dementia to support the diagnostic process.
The role will also help develop our wider understanding of barriers people may face in receiving a dementia diagnosis e.g. people from BAME communities, care homes residents or those who are socially isolated.
Main duties of the job
Working alongside a new DDR senior practitioner role and registered clinicians across AWP older adult teams, this post proactively seek out people requiring a memory assessment and complete necessary assessment tasks to support a diagnostic decision alongside the MDT
The post holder will gather essential assessment information from various sources including care home staff, primary care clinicians, relatives and friends and utilise validated cognitive screening tools to support the diagnostic process. The assessment information will be gathered, recorded and communicated in a systematic manner with support from a dedicated administrator overseeing the DDR project.
The post holder will share their assessment and formulations with MDT clinicians in order to confirm a dementia diagnosis where appropriate.
It is important that people receiving a dementia diagnosis and their carers are offered appropriate support. This role will discuss ongoing support needs with relatives, friends and care home staff and provide guidance and signposting to available support.
This role will also involve providing informal support to junior grade staff undertaking similar memory assessment work
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Forming compassionate, therapeutic relationships with service users and their families, to deliver a range of assessment interventions in support of the diagnostic pathway
To work with the wider health and care system to promote access to a timely memory assessment. This will include developing greater understanding of system issues and barriers to assessment
Engaging in the full range of ongoing needs assessment processes required by the team, including mental state, dynamic clinical risk, spiritual and cultural needs, and emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing.
Maintaining electronic patient records in a timely and accurate way and completing care plan letters following completed interventions.
Empowering service users to adjust to living with a diagnosis of dementia by promoting aspects of diet and lifestyle, physical health and general wellbeing.
Signposting to the voluntary sector dementia support organisations and where required direct referrals to statutory services.
Participating in post diagnostic support and co-facilitating group sessions / courses.
Engage in carers involvement work and community initiatives to deliver interventions to improve knowledge and understanding of dementia.
Support individuals in developing and maintaining their identity and personal relationships, including sometimes difficult or potentially difficult relationships.
Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local policies and procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Forming compassionate, therapeutic relationships with service users and their families, to deliver a range of assessment interventions in support of the diagnostic pathway
To work with the wider health and care system to promote access to a timely memory assessment. This will include developing greater understanding of system issues and barriers to assessment
Engaging in the full range of ongoing needs assessment processes required by the team, including mental state, dynamic clinical risk, spiritual and cultural needs, and emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing.
Maintaining electronic patient records in a timely and accurate way and completing care plan letters following completed interventions.
Empowering service users to adjust to living with a diagnosis of dementia by promoting aspects of diet and lifestyle, physical health and general wellbeing.
Signposting to the voluntary sector dementia support organisations and where required direct referrals to statutory services.
Participating in post diagnostic support and co-facilitating group sessions / courses.
Engage in carers involvement work and community initiatives to deliver interventions to improve knowledge and understanding of dementia.
Support individuals in developing and maintaining their identity and personal relationships, including sometimes difficult or potentially difficult relationships.
Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local policies and procedures.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification and registration
- Professional qualification and registration to a professional body (e.g. NMC, HCP)
Experience
Essential
- Specialist dementia care experience
- Minimum of 2 years experience assessing patients and supporting dementia diagnosis
Desirable
- Experience of assessing dementia across a range of clinical settings (MAS, Primary care, Care Homes etc)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Professional qualification and registration
- Professional qualification and registration to a professional body (e.g. NMC, HCP)
Experience
Essential
- Specialist dementia care experience
- Minimum of 2 years experience assessing patients and supporting dementia diagnosis
Desirable
- Experience of assessing dementia across a range of clinical settings (MAS, Primary care, Care Homes etc)
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).
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