Community Psychiatric Nurse

The Plymouth Dementia Pathwayundertakes comprehensive cognitive assessments for people who have or aresuspected to have memory problems, to determine if further investigation isrequired for a formal diagnosis of dementia. Once a diagnosis is given, a rangeof treatment options and post diagnostic support services are offered to enablepeople with dementia and their relatives/carers to live well with dementia.Information, advice and re-assessments are offered throughout a personsdementia journey.

The Plymouth Dementia Pathwayis operated by a small, specialist multi-disciplinary team including: ConsultantPsychiatrists, Clinical Psychologist, Dementia Practitioners, Occupational Therapists,Physiotherapist, Community Care Workers, Dementia Advisors and AdministrativeStaff/Medical Secretaries.

The Plymouth Dementia Pathwayis continuously evolving in order to improve assessment, diagnosis and carefor people with dementia and their relatives/carers. This includes timely andequal access to services, provision of evidence based treatment, monitoring andfollowing up.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisment earlier than the specified deadline.

All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Main duties of the job Subsequently, there is anexciting opportunity for two part-time Senior Dementia Practitioners to join the PlymouthDementia Pathway. We are seeking to recruit experienced, visionary,dedicated and motivated individuals to join the team. This is an ideal post forthose seeking a change of direction or experienced practitioners looking toprofessionally develop. You will be a qualified mental health nurse or generalnurse.

Your passion and enthusiasm towork with people with dementia and achieve the best possible outcomes will beevident. It is essential that you have had experience of working with peoplewith dementia. Both community and ward based experience would be advantageousbut not essential. This is a demanding role and the ability to perform underpressure, work as a member of a multidisciplinary team as well as to workautonomously is essential. You will be competent and efficient in caseloadmanagement. Excellent communication skills together with riskassessment/management skills and experience of evidence-based interventions areessential for this post.

You will be expectedto act as a role model to other members of staff. Supervision of other membersof the team and trainees is expected to be part of your role as you share yourskills and knowledge with those around you. We will endeavour to support you todevelop the skills required to thrive in this role and providing training withdevelopmental support to pursue a fulfilling career.

About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job responsibilities Dimensions and Context of Role

The post-holder is responsible to the Manager of the Plymouth Dementia Pathway (PDP) for the assessment of needs, development, implementation, and evaluation of care for patients from a specified group of patients.

The post-holder is responsible for providing care co-ordination to a defined group of people suspected of having memory problems, to determine if further investigation is required for a formal diagnosis of dementia. Once a diagnosis is given, a range of treatment options and post diagnostic support services are offered to enable people with dementia and their relatives/carers to live well with dementia. This includes caseload management of patients diagnosed with dementia who are experiencing BPSD.

The post-holder is responsible for caseload management and support to staff within PDP and to provide teaching and supervision to students and others undertaking educational programs.

Professional Responsibilities & Patient Contact:

The Post-holder will:

Be accountable for the direct patient care/support provided by the Plymouth Dementia Pathway at all times.

Maintain high standards of clinical/professional care/support of people with dementia, their family/ carers.

Work as part of a MDT to ensure that the best possible outcomes are achieved for the person with dementia and their family/carer.

Act upon referrals from primary and secondary care, by providing assessment, implementation and development of programmes of care to individuals, groups and families.

Have responsibility for own caseload of patients and take responsibility as lead professional or care co-ordinator as appropriate.

Provision of case load supervision and line management for Band 3,4 & 5 Practitioners.

To participate in Duty cover and provide appropriate supervision for junior team members.

To maintain a caseload of clients with a significant degree of BPSD and liaise with suitable MDT for ongoing care and support for the patient and their families.

Identify and undertake specialist and comprehensive assessments to assist in the diagnosis of people suspected of having dementia, including the persons: life history, social and family circumstances, and preferences, as well as their physical and mental health needs and current level of functioning and abilities.

Be able to inform the person with a suspected dementia and/or their family/carer about the assessment and diagnosis process. Providing knowledge about structural imagining, identifying if they want to have any scans, or if they wish to know the diagnosis and with whom this should be shared with.

Take steps to obtain patient consent to care and treatment in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act, ensuring those people with dementia who lack mental capacity remain at the centre of decision-making and are fully safeguarded.

Promote a recovery model that empowers people with dementia, their family/ carers to be at the forefront of decision making and ownership of their treatment plans.

Assess the effectiveness of medication prescribed for the symptoms of dementia and report observations back to the prescriber as required.

Be able to advise on, recommend and provide a range of effective evidence-based treatment and interventions plans at all stages of a persons dementia journey that is based on sound clinical decision making.

Promote holistic care and suitable adaptations tailored to each individuals needs.

Promoting and maintaining independence of people with dementia by addressing activities of daily living that maximises independent activity, enhances function, adapt and develops skills, and minimises the need for support.

Re-assess people with dementia where there are changes in emotional well-being and behaviour.

Promote least restrictive practice, maximising independence and freedom, with due attention to the safety of others.

Undertake risk assessments, devising and implementing actions and intervention plans which take the risk formulation fully into account.

To promote positive risk to allow clients independence and autonomy of choice.

Be responsible for decision making and co-ordination in a crisis situation, where necessary seeking advice and guidance from other relevant professionals

Be committed to the treatment of people with dementia in the community, reducing the number of inappropriate admissions to acute or in-patient hospital settings.

Know when to consider and co-ordinate a psychiatric inpatient admission, making an application for a Mental Health Act Assessment where it is deemed necessary.

Complete Social Circumstances Reports and attend the Mental Health Act Tribunals as and when required.

Work with staff on the psychiatric inpatient unit to support with discharge planning and joint reviews of patients with dementia who will require ongoing input from the Plymouth Dementia Pathway.

Be able to recognise end stage dementia and (when appropriate) liaise with specialists within the end-of-life care team to support in care delivery.

Communication and Working Relationship Skills:

The Post-holder will:
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