Dementia and Delirium Practitioner

Working with the Dementia and Delirium Specialist practitioner in conjunction with the clinical lead to deliver high quality patient care, acting as a role model for all staff.

The successful candidate would be expected to provide specialist clinical advice, education and leadership to staff across the trust working with people living with dementia or delirium. This work will feed into the overall team aim of implementing and influencing continual improvement in the standard of care provided.

The team is looking for individuals who have expert skills in communicating with individuals living with a dementia, and who are able to teach and disseminate those skills to others. The post holder should have specific knowledge of managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

You will be joining a supportive and friendly team. Personal and professional development is a requirement of the post and will be supported through both internal and external training opportunities. The post holder may be required to work in other areas of the Trust to meet service needs and work rotational shifts.

Main duties of the job

To act as an innovative and enthusiastic role model providing training, guidance and advice to staff caring for people living with Dementia and Delirium.

To work within the multi-disciplinary team in the provision of dementia and delirium care throughout all aspects of the patients care pathway and in all clinical settings.

To deliver high quality patient care, acting as a role model for all staff by providing specialist clinical advice, education, and leadership to clinical staff across the trust caring for people with dementia or delirium to result in an improvement in the standard of care provided.

Work with patients with dementia to improve their mental health, physical health, and wellbeing through therapeutic activities.

Be confident in working with patients who have behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and be able to support ward staff with management strategies and establish relationships with patients identifying ways to support them whilst in hospital, regularly engaging with individuals and families/carer.

Ensure accurate assessments and information is gathered, to help facilitate complex discharge planning. Working closely, with the wards and discharge team to ensure accurate assessments have been taken place to facilitate timely and accurate discharges.

Assist to implement meaningful person-centred care plans supporting the emotional and behavioural needs of individual patients. To support and encourage ward staff to organise appropriate activities/interactions.

As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!