Band 6 Specialist Memory Assessment Clinician - Devizes

Job overview

This is an exciting new opportunity for someone experienced in dementia care to contribute to the memory assessment and diagnostic services  in Wiltshire

This role will support the function of our existing Memory Assessment and Care Home Liaison Services by proactively working across a number of clinical settings where people may need to receive a memory assessment.

This role will work autonomously to identify people requiring memory assessments across a range of clinical settings. The post holder will use their clinical judgement to undertake appropriate assessments of cognition and functioning to support diagnostic decision making with the wider multi-disciplinary team.

The role will also require working with a range of colleagues within the health and social care system to identify people needing an assessment. There will also be opportunities to work with family members and carers of people with dementia to support the diagnostic process.

The role will also help develop our wider understanding of barriers people may face in receiving a dementia diagnosis e.g. people from BAME communities, care homes residents or those who are socially isolated.

Main duties of the job

Working alongside a new  DDR senior practitioner role and registered clinicians across AWP older adult teams, this post proactively seek out people requiring a memory assessment and complete necessary assessment tasks to support a diagnostic decision alongside the MDT

The post holder will  gather essential assessment  information from various sources including care home staff, primary care clinicians, relatives and friends and utilise validated cognitive screening tools to support the diagnostic process. The assessment information will be gathered, recorded and communicated in a systematic manner with support from a dedicated administrator overseeing the DDR project.

The post holder will  share their assessment and formulations with MDT clinicians in order to confirm a dementia diagnosis where appropriate.

It is important that people receiving a dementia diagnosis and their carers are offered  appropriate support. This role will discuss ongoing support needs with relatives, friends and care home staff and provide guidance and signposting to available support.

This role will also involve providing informal support to junior grade staff undertaking similar memory assessment work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Forming compassionate, therapeutic relationships with service users and their families, to deliver a range of assessment interventions in support of the diagnostic pathway
• To work with the wider health and care system to promote access to a timely memory assessment. This will include developing greater understanding of system issues and barriers to assessment
• Engaging in the full range of ongoing needs assessment processes required by the team, including mental state, dynamic clinical risk, spiritual and cultural needs, and emotional, psychological and physical wellbeing.
• Maintaining electronic patient records in a timely and accurate way and completing care plan letters following completed interventions.
• Empowering service users to adjust to living with a diagnosis of dementia by promoting aspects of diet and lifestyle, physical health and general wellbeing.
• Signposting to the voluntary sector dementia support organisations and where required direct referrals to statutory services.
• Participating in post diagnostic support and co-facilitating group sessions / courses.
• Engage in carer’s involvement work and community initiatives to deliver interventions to improve knowledge and understanding of dementia.
• Support individuals in developing and maintaining their identity and personal relationships, including sometimes difficult or potentially difficult relationships.
• Contribute to the protection of individuals from abuse and harm in line with local policies and procedures.