Assistant Practitioner Camden Memory Service

Job overview

This is an exciting role within the highly successful Camden Memory Service Team. We are looking for an Assistant Practitioner to deliver post-diagnostic dementia support in the community.

We require a motivated individual, ideally with experience of working with older people with dementia. The post holder will need to have good communication and interpersonal skills, be able to work as part of a dynamic team, use their own initiative and build therapeutic working relations with service users and their carers.

Main duties of the job

As an Assistant Practitioner you will be responsible for offering support, advice and signposting to people affected by dementia. You will hold your own caseload and undertake reviews of people living with dementia, and their carers, living in their own homes. You will be supported by a multidisciplinary team and work closely with the lead nurse for your catchment area.

As our model aims to support all residents living with dementia, we are a busy service and caseloads are reflective of this. This requires you to have good organisational skills and an ability to work independently. The role involves visiting service users at home and you therefore must be able to get around Camden using Public Transport and/or walking/cycling.

You’ll be able to demonstrate experience in working in dementia care and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You should have some understanding of the wider health and social care system. Being computer literate is a must and you have to be able to use Word, Excel and other relevant IT systems.

If you have the right values for the North London Mental Health Partnership you will be supported by a programme of continuous training and development. The position offers opportunities to get involved in Quality Improvement projects and to become champion/lead in specific area relevant to the role.

Only candidates who demonstrate their motivation to work in dementia care will be shortlisted

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful applicant will work as part of an experienced multi-disciplinary team to support the assessment and review of people with dementia and their family carers and help deliver post-diagnostic support, which can include Psychological and Occupational Therapy interventions. The main aspects of the role will be to manage a caseload of service users with dementia and their carers in the community.

Main responsibilities:

i) To be responsible for providing expert care in an area of dementia advocacy/sign posting.

ii) To work within a multidisciplinary team, following plans of care and reporting to a more senior member of staff to undertake a range of duties and interventions. This may involve assessing, planning and implementing interventions in negotiation with service users, carers and other services considering the needs of a diverse community.

iii) To be aware of and assist in meeting the psychological, social, physical, recreational and spiritual needs of all service users. To recognise and value service users as individuals, recognising the importance of maintaining the service users dignity at all times.  To ensure that the care provided respects equality and diversity that is supportive of service users and their carers.

iv) Encouraging service users to accept an optimum level of responsibility for their individual programme of care and with their consent, where appropriate, seek the cooperation of friends / relatives / carers.

v) To identify carers and to refer for carers assessments as appropriate.

vi) To maintain timely and accurate patient written / electronic records under supervision and in line with Trust and service line policy and procedure

vii) To ensure that care is delivered using the recovery approach.

viii) To support the assessment and management of patient / service user care needs through initial data collection; monitoring of individual patient progress; feedback; discussion and reports and in care reviews with the team.

ix) To ensure physical health care needs and or on-going physical health monitoring / review of service users, recording any changes in the service user’s physical health, reporting these to a more senior member of staff, acting appropriately on the advice given.

x) Contributes towards the ongoing quality of service and care and to identify any risk issues in relation to the service users’ health and social care. Informing the registered practitioner / team / person in charge if there are: -

• any changes in the service users physical or mental state
• any significant factors relevant to the service user
• any incidents related to the service users

xi) To contribute towards appropriate information to service users relating to health promotion and their well being.

xii) To recognise and respond appropriately to behaviour that challenges in line with Trust policies

xiii) To undertake and assist in the organisation of the day to day smooth running of the service, reporting in a timely manner any issues relating to the fabric or condition of the working environment

xiv) To understand and follow the Trust risk assessment policy, including being aware of the need to follow all safeguarding procedures; being aware of the necessity to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults at all times when working with  service users.

xv) To have an awareness and understanding of, the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and other legislation affecting the care and treatment of service users.

xvi) To be aware of personal accountability and responsibility for cleanliness standards and Trust Infection control policies.

xvii) To actively contribute to clinical or governance reviews of the teams activity and the monitoring of performance. Contributing to relevant audit practice development on research activity that may be taking place in the work area.

xviii) To assist with collecting, collating, analysing and reporting data, both qualitative and quantitative on Key Performance Indicators.

xix) To contribute as required to reviews of policy and procedures.

xx) To follow all Trust policy relevant to service user care and own role.

xxi) To be able to work and travel across a geographical area or across integrated teams

Communication

i) To maintain confidentiality of information, in accordance with Trust Policy

ii) To contribute to effective communication process with service users, carers, family, friends and staff colleagues. Always acting in a dignified and responsible manner with service users, their family, visitors, carers and colleagues; listening carefully and responding using appropriate language and accessible communication methods and skills which acknowledge cultural differences and professional boundaries.

iii) To communicate appropriate and accurate information to and from other departments / service lines as required.

iv) To attend and participate in team meetings and contribute ideas to multi-professional team discussions.

v) To use and complete all documentation using Rio appropriately and in a timely manner.

vi) To work in ways that support shared responsibility within the team, demonstrating support, respect and courtesy towards colleagues.

vii) To ensure that all complaints or compliments received are dealt with in accordance with Trust policy.

Administrative

i) Contribute to the administrative duties required by the team

ii) To collect data, enter in to spread sheets/SPSS, assist with analysis and writing reports.

iii) Complete accurate documentation of client contacts.

iv) To ensure when called upon to do so that trust policy is complied with in respect of care and custody of service users valuables and personal property.

Health and safety

i) Contribute to the requirements of the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974

ii) To assist in the monitoring and maintenance of a safe environment for service users, visitors and staff

iii) To ensure safe working practices and working environment including monitoring and maintaining cleanliness of the service area.

iv) To report, without delay, all hazards - real and potential.

v) To ensure appropriate use, maintenance, cleanliness, replacement and storage of all material and equipment

vi) To abide by local and trust policies and procedures with relation to health and safety

vii) To be aware of infection control policies, procedures and the importance of protecting themselves and their clients in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

Personnel/ Education and training

i) To be managed by and receive supervision from a nominated line manager, including annual review of performance as part of the appraisal system.

ii) To attend and participate in regular personal development, ensuring personal compliance with mandatory training requirements. To maintain a relevant work portfolio.

iii) To attend all mandatory training as required, to attend appropriate training courses and keep up to date with developments within the practice area

iv) To actively contribute to reviews of the teams activity and the monitoring of performance in line with the Trust directives and audits. To participate in relevant audit or research activity that may be taking place in the clinical area.

v) On occasions will be called upon to demonstrate own role to others.