Dementia Liaison Nurse

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 cognitivefunctioning 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.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications and Relevant Experience

Essential

• Professional current registration NMC
• Post graduate specialist training to degree level in relevant subject area
• Substantial experience of working with people with dementia post qualification
• Professional qualification - RMN, RN

Desirable

• Specialist dementia qualification.
• Previous teaching/training experience.

Knowledge and abilities

Essential

• In depth knowledge of assessing holistic needs of older people

About the employer

We're an NHS community and mental health provider Trust based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We deliver community and hospital-based care to improve people's physical and mental health. We also provide specialist support to people with dementia or a learning disability.

We are a people organisation and people matter to us. As part of the team, you'll help support the health and wellbeing of the people who live and visit this beautiful part of the UK.

Over 4,000 people make up the Trust. This includes doctors, nurses, therapists, plus admin and support staff.

We work in people's homes, in community clinics and bases. Some staff work from one of our 13 community hospitals. Our aspiration is to have great people, provide great care, be a great place to work and a great partner.

Approximately 568,000 people live here. A third of people who live in Cornwall are supported by acute hospital services in Devon. As a result, we also work closely with our partners in Devon. In the summer, and during other holidays lots of people choose to visit the area. This increase the numbers of people who use out services.