Dementia Nurse Specialist in Watford

We are looking for an experienced Nurse, that holds a non‑medical prescribing qualification to join our county‑wide Early Memory Diagnosis Services to work in the west part of Hertfordshire being based in The Colne House, Watford. The Early Memory Diagnosis and Support Service (EMDASS) offers comprehensive assessment and practical support to Hertfordshire residents who have concerns about their memory and are worried that they may be suffering from Dementia. The service is made up of Psychiatrists, Nurses, Psychologists and OTs and works in close partnership with the Memory Support Hertfordshire, Alzheimer’s Society and Hertfordshire County Council’s Adult Care Services to provide psychological and practical support to people diagnosed with dementia.

Main duties of the job:

• Work within the EMDASS team across Hertfordshire to complete expert assessments to determine whether a person has dementia.
• Be flexible to work at any sites to meet the service need.
• Be flexible to take over all administrative tasks in absence of admin staff and clinical staff to support service operations.
• Be able to lead EMDASS Multi‑disciplinary team meetings.
• Initiate acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (where appropriate) and then titrate them.
• Fulfil the role of a Nurse Independent Prescriber for service users who are diagnosed with dementia as per Trust policy and NMC requirements.

What we can offer you in return:

• Coaching network where trained coaches throughout the Trust are matched with staff of all disciplines to provide a powerful development opportunity.
• Leading company discounts and childcare vouchers.
• Salary sacrifice schemes enabling staff to drive a new car or bike – saving on tax and insurance included.
• Wellbeing activities – from mindfulness to yoga, pilates and our signature craft club – join our monthly programme of regular and special events to support your wellbeing.
• Gym discounts, including Nuffield Health and David Lloyd.
• Refer a friend to work for the Trust and receive up to £500!

About us:

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of ‘Outstanding’ from the Care Quality Commission. Our family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout: Welcoming, Kind, Positive, Respectful, Professional.

Job responsibilities:

• Be responsible for delivering nurse‑led Memory Assessment clinics across Herts Valley or East and North Herts CCG localities.
• Provide highly specialist memory assessment, diagnosis and prescribing service for patients referred with memory problems both in a clinic setting and within the community.
• Responsible for prescribing Dementia medications (in accordance with NMP registration and the post‑holder’s scope of practice), discussing all pharmacological treatment options, potential side effects, and addressing issues of consent and capacity.
• Manage risk within primary care setting and ensuring secondary services involvement where risks are high, in order to manage in accordance with CPA and clinical governance, and record interventions as required by the Trust.
• Provide professional leadership to implement and further develop the specialist memory assessment service, working with all clinical areas within MHSOP, as well as across local services, and the wider community including primary care, partnerships and third sector agencies.
• Provide highly specialist nursing guidance, advice and consultation to the multidisciplinary team and primary care groups, contributing expertise to the development of appropriate treatment formulations and care plans.
• Continue to maintain Memory Services National Accreditation Programme (MSNAP) standard to ensure that assessment, diagnosis and care for people with dementia and their carers are delivered to a high standard, including timely and equal access to services, provision of evidence‑based treatments, monitoring and follow‑up.
• Participate in research and development within their scope of practice.
• Work in ways that are sensitive to the needs of service users, families and individuals from a wide range of racial, cultural and religious backgrounds, mindful of the impact that race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability and social difference may have on service user systems and to develop innovative ways of meeting their particular needs.
• Be skilled and experienced in working with matters of safeguarding both adults and children and comply with inter‑agency protocol and policies.

Person Specification:

QUALIFICATIONS/ EDUCATION/ TRAINING:

• Registered Nurse (Mental Health/Learning Disability) with current NMC registration.
• BSc in Mental Health/Learning Disability Nursing or Diploma in Mental Health/Learning Disability Nursing with evidence of CPD at Level 7 (degree) relative to specialist area of Nursing.
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification related to Dementia Studies and/or evidence of further skill‑based training related to Dementia Studies, Care of the Older Adult, Frailty.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

• Substantial experience of working in mental health services.
• Experience of working with service users presenting with memory problems and/or emotional/psychological difficulties and challenging behaviour with their families and wider networks in situations of crisis and emotionally demanding environments.
• Experience of Nurse Independent Prescribing for relevant service user group.
• Experience in working in Older People Mental Health Service/Memory Service and carrying out a different range of cognitive assessments.
• Skilled in risk management.
• Proficient in multi‑agency working.
• Able to demonstrate ability to work autonomously and manage a complex caseload.
• Evidence of providing clinical supervision.
• Experience and knowledge of implementing safeguarding procedures for children and adults.
• Experience of peer supervision.
• Experience in assessing and implementing a range of therapeutic interventions in different cultural contexts.
• Audit and research experience.
• Experience of teaching/training in a formal or informal setting.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address: £50,008 to £56,908 a year, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCA).

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time

Reference number: 367-SS-10189

Job locations: Not specified.