Specialist Dementia Nurse

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Nurse to join our Memory Service which provides a comprehensive initial assessment, diagnosis of dementia and reviewing of treatment plans to ensure that patients are stable prior to discharging from the service

You will be an RMN who possess excellent communication, listening, written skills and demonstrates the values of the CNWL. You will be working independently and must have a sound knowledge of risk assessments and management plans is pivotal to this role and having an awareness of the lone working

We are a multidisciplinary team and work closely with colleagues in the Community Mental Health Team and Home Treatment Team

Main duties of the job

To monitor and co-ordinate the care of clients on anti-dementia medication, and manage a caseload of clients referred to the memory services. To collect and analyse data and produce timely reports. To act as a specialist resource for those coping with a diagnosis of dementia and to work with other team members to effect the best possible care and support systems for both users and carers of dementia services locally.

About us

We are looking for an enthusiastic Nurse to join our Memory Service which provides assessment and diagnosis of dementia.

You will have post qualifying experience of working with patients with dementia either in the community or an inpatient setting.

Working as part of a small friendly team you will have excellent communication and assessment skills. Although part of a team you will work autonomously with patients and carers.

The service provides Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, post diagnosis, and works closely with the voluntary sector. Hillingdon Memory Service is a Participant Identification Centre (PIC) for dementia research.

A package of training and supervision will be provided to ensure the post holder meets their CPD and KSF requirements

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work in Community and Memory Clinic environments, providing assessment, intervention, follow-up and support to patients on anti-dementia medication or diagnosed with dementia through assessment at the memory clinic. To liaise with the client, key worker and members of the multi disciplinary team and other agencies to promote and maintain a consistently high standard of individualised client care, recognising factors and events that are likely to affect the mental, emotional and physical well being of clients/carers and provide advice and support when required. When appropriate, to act as care co-ordinator and be responsible for ensuring that clients needs are met through a co-ordinated approach, ensuring that all clients have their care planned, implemented and regularly reviewed/updated using CPA guidelines and documentation. Maintain and improve a high standard of practice, through the use of a range of psychological approaches, within a health and psychosocial framework. Work collaboratively with the multi disciplinary team and other relevant agencies to ensure that an integrated program of care is provided throughout. Carry out the single drug administration in accordance with Trust Policy and the NMC Standards for Administration of Drugs. Provide advice, education and support to clients/carers. Participate in the admission, discharge and transfer of clients in accordance with Trust Policies, when necessary. Where necessary, to collect and deliver prescriptions and drugs to patients being responsible for their safe and secure transportation. To act as a resource, providing information, training, advice and health promotion for clients, carers, health care professionals and other agencies. Liaise with the Consultant Psychiatrists locally to assess and follow-up patients with Alzheimers disease who will need anti-dementia medication. Liaise with primary care team to identify elderly clients who suffer from Alzheimers disease and to provide advice, support and training to GPs and other professionals regarding their management. Liaise with GPs who have agreed to prescribe anti-dementia medication to provide advice and support to GP and the PHCT regarding their management. To write formally to the clients GP following each review ofanti-dementia medication. Enhance the use of current documentation on care pathways in dementia care. To ensure that assessment procedures and protocols on the use of anti-dementia medication approved by the Trust is adhered to and implemented. Collect and input data regarding the client population, assessment and the response to anti-dementia drugs.

Person Specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

RMN. ENB 998 or equivalent

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Paid/unpaid relevant to job

Essential

Relevant years post qualifying experience relevant years post qualifying experience within the speciality at Band 5 or above. Experience to include teaching/training, basic counselling skills, some standard setting and appraisal systems. Experience of organic mental illness

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES

Essential

Knowledge of clinical and managerial issues relating to mental health, older peoples' services and NHS developments. Knowledge of and experience of working with the Mental Health and Mental Capacity Act, Clinical Governance, CPA, SAP etc.

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