JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Reporting to: Salary: Dementia Lead Nurse Operations Director 29,768 to 35,147 dependant on experience Spinal Point: 30 to 36 Contract: Hours of Work: Permanent Full time, 35 hours per week Job Purpose The Dementia Lead Nurse is a highly motivated leader and practitioner who is pivotal in the development of Guild Care s organisational approach to dementia care. They will work in accordance with local and national policy strategies to ensure that individuals supported by Guild Care have access to excellent dementia care that is innovative, dynamic and of the highest professional standard. The Dementia Lead Nurse is able to demonstrate advanced communication and leadership skills in order to design and deliver a dementia focused education and development programme for registered nurses. The Dementia Lead Nurse takes the lead in the development of evidence based nursing practice, providing support, advice and education to colleagues and the individuals using Guild Care services. The Dementia Lead Nurse is responsible for developing dementia policies for all Guild Care s services and standardising dementia care in Guild Care s homes. Key Responsibilities Clinical Leadership To have specialist knowledge and expertise in dementia, acting as a role model and expert clinician. To provide specialist mental health nursing expertise to the development of individual care and management plans. Actively engaging people with dementia and their carers, in the process of assessing and evaluating an individual s care. To have responsibility for the management of a small caseload of individuals requiring specialist intervention and support.
To provide advice, intervention and coordination to support the care of individuals with complex needs. To utilise a range of highly specialist clinical skills including advice appropriate to the needs of the individual. Ensuring that care is evidence based and reflects current best practice and research. To lead on the development and evaluation of assessment tools that will ensure an appropriate level of clinical, emotional and psychological intervention. To demonstrate expert practices in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care with the ability to recognise when to refer onto other clinical services both internally and externally. To signpost appropriately individuals referred to Guild Care services by linking both internal and external services appropriate to the needs of the individual. To actively develop and contribute to the education and development programmes of registered nurses and care staff to improve their understanding and knowledge of the dementia disease trajectory, medication and therapies used to support dementia care. To demonstrate expert practices in the assessment of mental capacity and the deprivation of liberty safeguards. To observe and audit Guild Care s dementia services to establish compliance with Guild Care policies and regulatory requirements to improve the outcomes for individuals using our service. To lead on the development, updating and writing of dementia policies and procedures to support practice in Guild Care s dementia services. To manage resources in an efficient and effective way, where necessary influencing budgets held by senior managers through the use of expert knowledge and judgment. Professional To maintain own professional development and competence to practice by updating knowledge and attending study days in accordance with professional codes. To work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to share good practice and resources to ensure that the needs of those using our service are met. To establish, develop and maintain effective working relationships with clinicians, practitioners and Guild Care staff.
To contribute, develop and formulate strategies for the development of dementia care within the context of local and national policy frameworks. To hold dementia group meetings to provide the latest information on dementia issues, encourage service development and the implementation of new ideas. To possess the ability to prioritise and work independently Health and Safety As an employee of Guild Care you have a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to: a) Take reasonable care of yourself and others at work b) Cooperate with Guild Care to ensure that the laws relating to Health and Safety are not broken c) Report any problems or concerns about Health and Safety to the manager of the area in which you are working. Equal Opportunities Guild Care is committed to anti-discriminatory polices and practices and it is essential that the post holder is willing to make a positive contribution to their promotion and implementation. Confidentiality The post holder is required to observe strict and complete confidentiality regarding information obtained during the course of his/her duties. Scope of Job Description This job description reflects the immediate requirements and responsibilities of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties but provides a general indication of work undertaken which may vary in detail in the light of changing demands and priorities. Substantial changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder. Signed Name
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title Responsible to Hours of Work Annual Leave Entitlement Dementia Lead Nurse Operations Director 35 per week 25 days per year COMPETENCIES Demonstrates specialist knowledge and skills necessary for the role through ongoing professional development and previous achieved qualifications Achieves role-specific outcomes and objectives Provides a good responsive service to internal and external customers Focuses on delivering a good quality customer service for service users and carers, in line with legislative, regulatory and Guild Care standards Has a supportive / approachable / listening style, involving staff in decision-making and providing guidance where needed. Gives positive feedback Addresses problems (including performance issues) constructively and makes appropriate decisions Implements policies and procedures (including health and safety) in an effective manner Actively promotes fairness, diversity and equal opportunities EPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE Essential Assessment or Knowledge and experience of best practice in dementia care (including medication.) Knowledge and experience of best practice in palliative care for individuals experiencing dementia. Excellent communication skills including influencing at all levels and giving constructive and effective feedback. Professional credibility
Excellent coaching and problem-solving skills Experience of developing clinical policy, procedure and systems. Experience of auditing clinical practice Experience of leading on improving standards of care Experience of maintaining high standards of care Experience of designing and delivering training in dementia care Experience of managing a budget Knowledge and experience of training needs analysis and training evaluation Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, the National Dementia Strategy and NICE guidelines Knowledge of the key attributes of dementia and antipsychotic prescribing EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS Registered Nurse/Registered Mental Health Nurse degree or working towards or equivalent specialist study or experience Recognised teaching and assessing qualification Evidence of continuous professional development REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST The post holder must be able to provide a satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service Check Car owner/driver