Job Overview

Work closely with colleagues in the Memory Assessment Service (MAS) to provide assessment, diagnosis of dementia, formulation or care planning and care transfer for adults presenting with symptoms of cognitive impairment that is suspected to be caused by dementia.

Provide professional leadership and be accountable for the management and co-ordination of the Memory Assessment Service.

Establish and run Nurse Led clinics – demonstrating a high degree of autonomous practice and accountability.

Job Purpose

To provide a professional nurse service which will be part of the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for people with dementia or suspected dementia received by people who attend the Memory Assessment Service.

To enable people to achieve maximum potential through helping them to regain their best level of independence having regard to their circumstances by working in a way that is person centred and recovery focused. You will undertake specialist cognitive assessments and other assessments as required.

To work closely with colleagues in the Memory Assessment Service to provide assessment, formulation of co-produced care plans and interventions for people with dementia enabling the person to make informed choices about their care and interventions.

To ensure that the Memory Assessment Service provides a professional, evidence-based service to people undergoing assessment for cognitive impairment that is responsive to feedback from service users and others.

Budgetary Responsibility

Work with the Head of service to manage and monitor the services budget ensuring a value for money service and to work within financial parameters.

Job Specific Outcomes 1 of 2

Act as a leadership role model and be highly visible within the clinical setting, demonstrating collaborative working, expert knowledge and high standards of clinical practice.

Use leadership skills to ensure that the MAS meets quality targets e.g. compliance with NICE guidelines, standards of care, risk management issues, customer satisfaction etc.

Ensure that the MAS are inclusive and able to meet the needs of patients whose first language is not English, who have a disability or sensory impairment, or who are under the age of 65.

Provide clear information to GP’s and other health professionals regarding the referral, assessment and care / treatment planning process that takes place when people attend the Memory Assessment Service.

Take a lead role in project management initiatives for the MAS.

Demonstrate some flexibility in working practice, recognising the need at times to work late due to particular and unusual case load needs / work pressures.

Undertake a joint, person centred assessment with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, in order to ensure a timely diagnosis and which will assist with development of an individualised care plan.

Co-ordinate multi-disciplinary, patient focused discussions at which assessment information is disseminated and diagnosis can be established.

Assess needs, plan and implement care through individualised care plans which enable patients to make informal choices about their treatment and care.

Provide information to people using the MAS, using a range of formats, depending on their needs and preferences to maximise their understanding and empower them to make informal choices about their treatment and care.

Liaise with the appropriate people / organisations re issues around driving as per public health requirements.

Gather personal and clinical information from patients and their carers, for example during clinical history taking / joint assessment.

Develop and maintain clear and effective communication protocols with GPs in order to support timely referral and transfer of care, using a range of verbal and written communication methods and utilising relevant IT systems.

Work with and support patients and their carers, and community services to ensure high quality communication and sharing of information, to enable effective transfer of people from the MAS to community-based services.

Demonstrate a special interest in assessing and supporting people with a diagnosis of dementia who are under the age of 65.

Demonstrate an understanding of how to facilitate care for people when they appear to lack insight or understanding into their condition.

Be knowledgeable of the different treatment options available and act as an advisor to patients, nursing and medical staff.

Provide advice, education, signposting and support to patients and carers / family members using the Memory Assessment Service.

Job Specific Outcomes 2 of 2

Assess needs, plan and implement care through individualised care plans which enable patients to make formal decisions about their health and to confidently manage their condition and care.

Provide advice, education, and support for all members of the multi-disciplinary team in the care of patients and liaise closely with members of the multi-disciplinary team so that patients experience a high-quality service.

Demonstrate expertise in clinical / leadership excellence, leading by example and balancing priorities effectively.

Introduce evidence-based practice and undertake audit as required.

Keep fully up to date with national and international advances in MAS and share this expertise with colleagues and managers.

Develop a system for reviewing and monitoring care and quality standards / key performance indicators within the Memory Assessment Service.

Challenge practices which compromise client / patient staff safely, privacy and dignity.

Ensure all nursing and other documentation is comprehensive, logical, clear and concise and complies with professional, organisational and legal standards.

Identify opportunities within the Memory Assessment Service for further development, to facilitate change within defined service boundaries.

Ensure that the patient and their carers receive written information on their diagnosis, care plan, the role of the service, what to expect when care is transferred, who to contact for further information and how to voice concerns and make suggestions etc.

Engage with both hospital and community services and further develop networks that will improve the experience of the person who has involvement with the MAS.

Develop effective networks within the care environment by demonstrating complex cross boundary working.

Understand and act on issues around safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children in line with H&SS policy.

Ensure that the patient gives consent to treatment / intervention and understand issues around capacity and consent, organising and participating in an MDT best interest discussion if the patient is unable to give consent.

Demonstrate and maintain effective communication within the service, for example organising, contributing to and participating in ‘minuted’ team meetings, team briefings etc.

Attend specialist clinics with other services e.g. neurology services and offer specialist advice and support to nurses, doctors and patients in attendance.

Demonstrate a high degree of personal and professional autonomy, which highlights analysis of complex information during decision making.

Person specification

Demonstrate and maintain effective communication within the service, for example organising, contributing to and participating in ‘minuted’ team meetings, team briefings etc.

Act as clinical supervisor, coach and mentor to junior staff. Provide professional updates to all relevant staff and working colleagues in all aspects of older people’s mental health issues and act as an effective role model, enhancing the clinical environment for patients and staff.

Together with MDT, develop and facilitate an education programme for GPs to enable them to recognize and identify early signs of cognitive impairment and to make a timely referral to the Memory Assessment Service.

Develop training and personal development plans with nursing staff within MAS.

Provide specialist expertise and input to support HCS education department team as required.

Support the operation manager to identify the educational needs of the multi-professional team and to facilitate and participate in education delivery to meet those needs.

Provide clear information to GPs and other health professionals regarding the referral, assessment and care / treatment planning process that takes place when people attend the Memory Assessment Service.

Contribute to the development of MAS across the organisation, through collaborative working with other services across HCS.

Develop networks and work collaboratively with other teams within the service and with other agencies to develop client focused services.

Liaise closely with other members of the multi-disciplinary memory assessment team to ensure continuity of care and enabling the patient to experience a high-quality service.

Engage in multi-disciplinary, patient focused discussion at which assessment information is shared and diagnosis / treatment / care options can be established.

Contribute to clinical governance developments (for example Datix, safeguarding, capacity, consent and deprivation of liberty) in line with the strategic direction of H&SS.

Proactively manage complaints through local resolution where possible and take action to prevent reoccurrence. Positively respond to dissatisfaction / complaints as per HCS procedure.

Learn from mistakes and disseminates lessons from mistakes promoting a culture of openness, reporting and safety consciousness.

Promote clinical governance agenda and cascade to department / team level.

Qualifications

Essential
1ˢᵗ level Registered Nurse, with current profile as per NMC requirements.

Teaching / mentorship award or qualification.

Has a 1ˢᵗ degree in Health related field.

Desirable
Has a Masters degree or equivalent credits.
 

Knowledge

Essential

Has 5 years post qualifying experience

Has 3 years recent experience in working with older people with mental health difficulties.

Has in depth knowledge of issues around assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for people who 
have a likely dementia, of any age.

Demonstrate the ability to relate them to clinical and non-clinical practice.

Experience is liaising with outside agencies on behalf of people who are experiencing or undergoing assessment for a possible diagnosis of dementia.

Experience in collating, interpreting and analysing data and produce clear concise reports.

Has experience in development, implementation and monitoring of Memory Assessment Services.

Experience in providing expert clinical advice and support to staff and patients on older people’s mental health issues.

Knowledge and experience of teaching both in a formal and informal setting.

Desirable

Has experience of policy development

Technical Work Based Skills

Essential

Competent with Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Desirable 

Experience with Connect and MAXIMS care system.
Experience with Care Partner.

General skills / attributes

Essential

Advanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checked.

Up to date local registration.

Flexible approach to working hours & practices, working outside of regular working hours where necessary.

Professional appearance and behaviour.

Team player able to work well with others and demonstrate commitment to team objectives and changes in practice.

Ability to work effectively in a bust environment.

Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, able to deal with stressful and conflict situations demonstrating tact, diplomacy, persuasion as well as authority.

Demonstrate ability to problem solve, anticipate and forward plan.

Ability to work autonomously and under pressure and to prioritise workload according to the changing needs of the service.

Ability to write professional reports and notes that are concise and accurate in a timely manner.

Experience

Essential

Has 5 years post qualifying experience

Has 3 years recent experience in working with older people with mental health difficulties.

Has in depth knowledge of issues around assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for people who 
have a likely dementia, of any age.

Personal Attributes

Essential 

Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

Motivated to learn and develop the service.

Experience of conflict management and resolution.

Ability to reflect and critically appraise self and take learning.

Excellent organisational skills.

An ability to motivate and inspire others.