Dementia Liaison Nurse

Job overview

We are looking for a highly motivated individual who is passionate about working with people living with dementia, prompting the concept of living well with dementia for those living within a 24 hour care setting. This post forms part of our Dementia Liaison Nurse (DLN) service, which consists of eight innovative Dementia liaison nurses alongside a Clinical Lead Manager whom work countywide in Cornwall to deliver evidenced based dementia care.

The Dementia Liaison Nurse service provides assessment, risk assessment, care planning and treatment for people living with dementia, in designated care homes. The role comprises of working alongside the immediate multi-disciplinary team within the Dementia and Older People's Mental Health service, but also with our wider health and social care community, in particular our colleagues in general practise, care homes and social care.

Main duties of the job

To undertake with support specialist bio-psycho-social assessments of patients with suspected or confirmed dementia and other mental health problems. Which may include the impact of physical health on wellbeing including pain, impact of medication, carer assessments cognitive functioning assessments. To help build strong and effective working relationships with key staff in a cluster of community hospitals, GP practices, care homes, mental health and primary care community teams. To help reduce the number of admissions from care homes to acute hospitals (Royal Cornwall Hospital and Derriford) for people with dementia. To be able to manage a caseload under the care programme approach, placing the person at the centre of care in a rewarding but busy role. The ability to work in partnership with carers/family members and services in the community is essential. The successful applicant will need to work on their own as well as being a part of the wider team. You will need to have good communication skills and a sound knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act. You will need to understand the Physiology of aging as well as different types of dementia. It is essential you have experience and an understanding of using a bio psychosocial approach to meeting the needs of people living with dementia.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To view a detailed job description and person specification including the main responsibilities of this role please see ‘supporting documents’.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.