Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Job Summary
The Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service is a joint venture between Alzheimers Society and Devon Partnership Trust. We provide Dementia services to people who are registered to a Bristol GP to support them to live as well as possible, for as long as possible, in their own community.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the service for dynamic, motivated Band 4 Dementia Support Workers with evidence of at least twelve months experience of running groups, delivering targeted therapeutic interventions, and/or providing tailored intensive support for people with Dementia / older adults.
Main duties of the job
The Dementia Support Worker role will have dual responsibilities within the service.
The successful post holders will be aligned to a locality team working to offer individual therapeutic interventions and intensive support alongside the Senior Dementia Practitioners and Dementia Navigators. These interventions have the aim to avoid hospital admission or to support safe discharge from hospital and will include structured observation, modelling, carer education and support, determining medication compliance and other activities as identified by the hub team.
The role will also offer dedicated Post Diagnostic Support including running groups, e.g. CST / Living Well with Dementia and offering individual relevant post diagnostic support/interventions.
The Dementia Support Workers post is a permanent position and being advertised as full time. The role is Monday to Friday 09.00-17.00. The post holders will also provide cover, on a rota, to our Access Point desk which will require shifts of 08.00-13:00 or 13:00 18:00. The roles will be citywide and based in either Brookland Hall in St Werburghs or @Symes, Hartcliffe, in Bristol.
There will be opportunities for training and development as identified through regular supervision and appraisal.
We would encourage potential applicants to visit or have a conversation with us, to discuss the role.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people’s recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience – we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
- The principal purpose of the job is to improve the health & wellbeing of people with Dementia and/or mental health difficulties. This will be achieved by:
- Active involvement in and role modelling the delivery of high-quality, safe and compassionate care as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Promoting and enabling a person-centred approach to care home staff, family members/ Carers
- Organising and managing a defined caseload to working independently being guided and supported by a clinical member of staff and will access Clinical supervision
- Seeking advice and expertise of a registered practitioner when required through the use of regular managerial and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy.
- Supporting people to work toward agreed objectives within a care plan developed and agreed with the service user and/or carer where possible.
Communication and Working Relationship Skills
- To communicate in a skilled and respectful manner with clients, families and carers who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be distressed / present with challenging behaviour.
- To participate in clinical meetings and to work collaboratively with other colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team.
- To maintain appropriate professional boundaries whilst recognising abilities and limitations of own competence
- To communicate complex and sensitive condition related information concerning the assessment, treatment and risk factors
- To establish and maintain clear and professional relationships with others at all times.
- To liaise and work collaboratively with a range of other professionals in statutory and non-statutory organisations agencies.
- Provide a high standard of written and verbal communication that is clear and in line with Trust documentation standards.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
- Recognise own clinical competencies, knowledge base and experience, and ensure that you practice within this and seek support as required.
- To make informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising when to seek further advice from a registered practitioner.
- Undertake risk assessments and determine the appropriate course of action, which has taken into consideration a range of possible options. Where necessary, ensure that consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken
- Recognise and take action to deal with any situations which may provide a conflict of interest.
Planning and Organisational Skills
- To organise, plan and prioritise own workload under distant guidance of a registered practitioner.
- To provide evidence based advice, guidance and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard protocols.
- Planning, co-ordination and review of services including active reviews and review of placements as delegated by other registered practitioners
- Organise clinical meetings and ensure that interventions/services are planned in an integrated and co-ordinated manner to best support the client/carers, this may include liaison with external agencies.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy
- To promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of clients and their caregivers at all times.
- To comply with Trust policies and procedures and the Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Workers
- Be able to implement a range of interventions consistent with a person-centred approach where the needs of the individual are held as central, and their involvement is proactively encouraged.
- Provide evidence-based clinical advice in relation to the individuals in the care of the team.
- Ensure that appropriate action is taken for safeguarding adults and children under the guidance of a Practitioner.
- Maintain up-to-date clinical records in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with Trust policy.
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation
- To follow Trust policy guidance in relation to your team and role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments.
- Actively embrace change, respond positively to new priorities and challenges, and look for opportunities for service development and improvement.
- To contribute to service development activities as required by line management to improve the quality of care offered by the team.
- Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources
- Responsible for the safe use of any relevant equipment/resources in line with Trust Policy.
Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management
- Demonstrate personal responsibility and initiative for own learning and continuing professional development including core training in line with the Directorates Workforce Plan in accordance with Trust policy.
- Engage in reflective practice to monitor their own performance and progress and accept feedback from others to continue their ongoing development.
- To assist the work of other support workers, students or trainees as required.
- Actively engage with line management, clinical supervision and Personal Development Review
- Demonstrate personal responsibility and initiative for own learning and continuing professional development including core training in line with the Directorates Workforce Plan in accordance with Trust policy.
- Engage in reflective practice to monitor their own performance and progress and accept feedback from others in order to continue their ongoing development.
- To assist the work of other support workers, students or trainees as required.
- Actively engage with line management, clinical supervision and Personal Development Review.
Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties
- To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication.
- Ensure information resources including the Intranet are consulted regularly to maintain a current knowledge of Trust, Directorate and Team priorities and safety initiatives.
- Ensure information is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a secure manner
Responsibility for Research and Development
- To contribute to any relevant Research and Development activities as undertaken within the team.
Freedom to Act
- To work within the Trust operational policies and service specifications of the team.
- Organising and managing a defined caseload to working independently into Care Homes being guided and supported by a clinical member of staff and will access Clinical supervision and working within standard protocols/ integrated care pathways
Any Other Specific Tasks Required
- Undertake all necessary academic study and work-based training associated with the post.
- Undertake any other reasonable management request
To apply for this job please visit www.jobs.nhs.uk.