Hospital Dementia Coordinator

**Do you want to make a difference to the lives of people affected by dementia?**

**Alzheimer’s & Dementia Support Services are expanding their team and recruiting Dementia Coordinators for a brand-new exciting project across North and West Kent.**

**Who are we?**

We are a local charity with a big heart and have been providing exceptional care and support to people affected by dementia for over 30 years. We are the local specialist dementia service and empower people living with dementia to carry on their chosen lifestyle. With a variety of support services, we equip people with the knowledge and practical support to live well with dementia.

**Our values**

Our values matter and we are looking for someone who believes;
- In being **person centred** and focused on people’s **abilities**.
- In being **caring** and **compassionate** in all we do.
- In **working together** to deliver excellence in the information, support and services we provide.
- In acting with **integrity **and **honesty** at all times.
- That everyone’s **rights** and **dignity** should be **promoted**.
- In being **inclusive** and **embracing** everyone in our community.

**Purpose of the Role**:
People affected by dementia often feel isolated and do not know where to get the support, guidance and understanding they need to live with their condition. A Dementia Coordinator will identify patients in hospital setting to provide information, support and guidance to those who have a diagnosis or are suspected of having dementia, their carers and family supporters.

The Dementia Coordinator Service offers a flexible and proactive approach, working in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of Health and social care professionals to ensure a patient is supported during their hospital stay and on discharge, before being referred to the community Dementia Coordinator. People living with dementia is a key national priority and the team of Dementia Coordinators are key to the local model of care in Kent.

**Reporting to**: Dementia Support Manager

**Location**:Darent Valley Hospital - Hybrid working from various locations (Home, Home Visits and ADSS HQ)

**Hours**:37.5 hours per week, Monday
- Friday, 9am - 5pm (requirement of flexibility is a must - notice will be given)

**Salary**: £22,308 - £24,000 (dependant on experience)

**The Role Responsibilities**

You will be driven and passionate about working within a remote team of Dementia Coordinators, whose aim it is to offer emotional and practical support to people living with dementia throughout their experience of dementia; from before diagnosis to end of life. Dementia Coordinators will also provide specialist and compassionate guidance to carers, and families.

1. Establish, develop, and maintain excellent working relationships with various teams within the hospital and the community, including direct and indirect teams of ADSS.

2. Proactively seeking referrals from hospital teams and other key stakeholders who will benefit from the Hospital Dementia Coordinator service.

3. Identify the needs of a person living with dementia on admission, during their hospital stay and 6 weeks after discharge. Using strengths-based approach and holistic assessments.

4. Liaise with the specialist dementia team and geriatrics teams when the patient requires additional clinical support or measures to be considered on discharge.

5. Support ward staff to identify patients who are displaying symptoms of dementia and then forward plan in supporting diagnosis pathway if not diagnosed already.

6. Assist the patient and carer to liaise with hospital teams, ADSS Enablement team and community services to prepare for a positive and successful transition home.

7. Empowering patients to prepare for future planning to remain independent for as long as possible.

8. Attend MDTs (Multidisciplinary Team Meeting), best interest meetings, discharge meetings to support, advocate and ensure the person living with dementia is able to have their needs and views heard.

9. To contribute and work towards reducing crisis, carer breakdown and further hospital admissions.

10. Link patients to the Community Dementia Coordinators for ongoing support in the community.

11. Work within ADSS processes, policies, and procedures to maintain a consistent approach and agreed service across all areas.

12. Uphold the highest standards of data protection, record keeping, impact monitoring and safeguarding to protect the people we support.

13. To ensure regular evaluations are completed to monitor and review the impact of the service.

14. Act as an ambassador for Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services ensuring a strong commitment to our values and ways of working.
- This job description is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements of the post holder. The Chief Executive Officer may stipulate other reasonable requirements._
- Please contact us for the person specification - essential and desirable.