Memory Assessment NurseNHS

Job summary

Memory Assessment Service Walsall

Band 6 Memory Assessment Nurse

0.6 WTE

22.5 hrs per week - Permanent post

Base: Blakenall Village Health Centre, Walsall

Department: Memory Assessment Service Walsall

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Memory Assessment Service in Walsall based at Blakenall Village Health Centre. The service operates 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs Monday to Friday. We are currently looking to recruit an experienced RMN with previous experience of at least 12 months working with older adults who may have presented with cognitive impairement. The successful applicant will be responsible for the assessment and planning of care for individuals from the age of 50+ who may have memory difficulties, although we do also see younger people where clinically indicated.

The successful applicant will need to be an enthusiastic and committed individual with a track record of initiative, autonomy and independent in making clinical judgements and risk management. They will be part of a very committed and hardworking team comprising of RMNs, Psychiatrist Consultants, Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and working closely with Admiral Nurses within the older adults division.

As a service we are committed to increasing the quality of services and providing services that are safe and supportive to services users, their carers and relatives.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have the following remit:

Will be working providing care and support for a defined group of patients (caseload) who have been accepted for an assessment by the Memory Assessment Service.

o Under the supervision of the Team Manager, the post holder will manage their caseload. They will arrange and organise appointments for service users in order to carry out a thorough cognitive assessment. Under guidance of the MDT they will initiate and review cognitive enhancing medication trials, review cognitive functioning and other relevant service user and carer related issues, both in the home, clinic and residential care settings. Both verbal and written liaison to the appropriate person or agency will be required.

o The post holder will be responsible for the smooth, overall day-day running of the service, ensuring policies and clinical procedures are relevant to working practices, maintenance of a safe environment, supervision, mentorship and participation in appraisal process

o Work in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team and contribute to the continuing development of the service.

o To facilitate access to relevant services in the statutory and non-statutory sector.

o To participate in any duty system

o There is no budget/management responsibility associated with this post.

Job description

To work with, and support GPs and Primary Health Care Teams, in the early identification and referral of people with memory problems.

To work closely with and refer to appropriate supportive groups in Walsall at the point of Dementia diagnosis being conveyed to patients and their families, and to also offer supportive referrals whilst they await their assessment as clinically indicated.

To provide information using a high standard of communication skills in a sensitive and empathetic manner.

To attend Practice Development sessions, attend relevant meetings and Team business meetings.

To act as a point of referral to other services signposting where necessary.

Maintain a high standard of nursing documentation and record keeping as required by the Black Country Health care NHS Foundation Trust.

To monitor and ensure the maintenance of effective high quality clinical documentation.

To report any areas of concern to Line Manager.

To liaise and work collaboratively with other disciplines / agencies both statutory and voluntary.

To ensure development and maintenance of effective lines of communication between staff and managers.

To represent the service at departmental meetings and ensure team members are briefed appropriately.

Work within the scope of the shared care protocol.

To act in a way that is professional and promotes positive Team and staff morale

About us

Trust Values

Employees, workers, and / or contractors will be expected to uphold the values of the Trust and exhibit the expected Trust behaviours aligned to the Trust's values. Individuals have a responsibility to ensure that they display the Trust values and behaviours in carrying out their job and that individuals feel able to challenge (or raise a challenge) when other colleagues' behaviours breach the spirit of Trust values.