Specialist Dementia Practitioner

Specialist Dementia Practitioner

Job description

Job overview

The post-holder will be expected to carry out assessments, formulate care plans in conjunction with other CMHT professionals and then manage the care for service users who are experiencing the challenging behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and who are residing in the London Borough of Haringey.

The post holder will carry a defined caseload and will work closely with other members of the OP CMHT, including psychology, medical professionals and pharmacology to ensure that the best quality of care is provided.

This work will be underpinned by a bio psychosocial model of care and the post holder will ensure that best practice psycho-social interventions are offered wherever possible.







There will be an intention reduce and eliminate usage of antipsychotic medication where possible.

The post holder will have a key role in providing time limited support to people with dementia, their carers and relatives and will liaise with colleagues within primary care, community health and social care services, private and voluntary organisations and the wider mental health of older adult service as appropriate.

The post holder will also play a key role in the prevention of hospital admissions and in facilitating safe and timely discharges from hospital.

Main duties of the job

1.1 To work as a specialist practitioner within the SDS in the planning, delivery, co-ordination and evaluation of assessments and formulation frameworks.

1.2 To work closely and collaboratively with other members of the OP CMHT, including psychology and medical leads to provide optimal care.

To carry out complex person centred assessments.





To ensure that all care offered is evidence based and all interventions to take into account any specific physical, cultural, psychological, and spiritual and age related needs.

To ensure sound risk assessment of all service users to inform levels of care required and which highlight risk to self and others.

To undertake comprehensive outcome monitoring of all referrals seen.

To work collaboratively with other service providers health, social / community and voluntary, including using social care procedures to directly request community services when appropriate.

Working for our organisation

MOBILITY

As an employee of this organisation you may be asked to carry out duties at any of its establishments, at any time throughout the duration of your contract.

HEALTH and SAFETY







It is the duty of all employees to ensure that a safe working environment and safe working practices are maintained at all times.

It is also the responsibility of management to do so.

INFECTION CONTROL

All staff will be expected at all times to practice in accordance with the infection control standard specified in the policies of the organisation.

RISK MANAGEMENT

All staff have a responsibility to manage risk within their sphere of responsibility. It is a statutory duty to take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by acts or omissions.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Maintain a caseload of clients who require specialist interventions in association with their diagnosis of dementia.

Receive on-going clinical and managerial supervision; attend staff development and training as required.





The post holder will also be subject to annual appraisal for their work / performance (Performance Development Reviews) and objectives will be set on an annual basis between the post holder and their supervisor / manager

Maintain high standards of professional service user and carer care in accordance with the Trust’s aims and objectives and in line with the individual’s own professional regulatory requirements

Keep abreast of developments in dementia assessment, care and psycho-social interventions

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

- NMC registered RMN or HCPC registered Occupational Therapist / social worker.
- Evidence of on-going CPD in portfolio

Desirable criteria

- Educated to Degree level or equivalent
- Further study in the field of Dementia care

Experience







Essential criteria

- Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience
- Post registration experience of working in mental health care of older people services specifically in the care of people with dementia.

Desirable criteria

Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment and ensuring that clinical practice is culturally sensitive.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

- Demonstrate an extensive knowledge of evidence based assessments and interventions.
- Able to deal with difficult situations e.g. dealing with aggressive and / or emotional patients or carers

Desirable criteria

- Knowledge of agencies to support service users and their families

▶️ Specialist Dementia Practitioner
🖊️ Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
📍 London