Memory Support Advisor - North Yorkshire, United Kingdom - Dementia Forward

Dementia Forward

Verified Company

North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Dementia Forward

George Armitage House

Church Lane

Burton Leonard

HG3 3SD

Tel:

Registered Charity

Memory Support Advisor - Job Description

Main purpose of the job

To work within primary care to ensure that people can get a diagnosis if needed, and to ensure that they receive support at the right time, by providing assessment, information, practical and emotional support.

Position in the organisation

Reports to the Dementia Forward Manager
Whilst the main work is carried out by providing a clinic model within GP surgeries, the role will also be embedded into the wider Dementia Forward team of DSA's and Helpline staff.
Liaises at all levels internally and with health and social care professionals externally, as well as other providers.

Scope of the job

To improve the patient experience by early identification of dementia, assisting memory assessments and capturing information to support a referral to memory clinic.
There will be an emphasis on running clinic appointments, case finding, which will include a lot of facetoface work with patients and families.
The role will work alongside colleagues in primary care ensuring the patient and carer experience is central to every stage of their journey.
To develop an understanding of the coding of cognitive impairment and dementia using clinical templates.
To record and maintain patient record keeping.
To support the development and maintenance of a register of patients with dementia.
To provide a clear and accessible point of contact for guidance, support and navigation of memory clinic waiting times.
To deal with requests for advice and information, and to refer and signpost into support through a range of available services. This role will be fully integrated into local service delivery, encompassing contributions from health, social care and voluntary agencies.
To connect families to support and to provide a referral route into Dementia Forward for ongoing support needs, encompassing all patients with cognitive impairment and dementia.

Duties and key responsibilities

Negotiating with all involved in care issues to establish and promote good working relationships and improve the coordination of the patient journey.
Establishing effective communication networks with clinicians and other team members, ensuring the continuation of good communication.
Developing close working relationships with Frailty care coordinators and eg Parkinson's nurse to recognise and review cognitive impairment.
Providing Dementia related information which will include signposting to other agencies if appropriate.
Recognising people's needs for alternative methods of communication and responding accordingly.
Providing a local point of contact for bereaved relatives, signposting towards appropriate support at any stage following the loss of a relative or close friend to dementia.
Liaising between Dementia Forward and primary care, identifying where ongoing support may be needed.
Actively undertake mandatory training in the following areas:
Safeguarding, Mental Capacity Act, Health & Safety at work, Policies and Procedures, Lone Working, First Aid.
Being prepared to undertake further training should it be deemed appropriate and relevant to the primary care DSA role.

In order to achieve this, Memory Support Advisors are expected to:

Fully understand the opportunities that early diagnosis or pre-diagnosis support can present.
Endeavour to learn and keep up dated on medical jargon and new updates relevant to someone with a memory problem.
Be aware of information that is available from other organisations and be willing to research where needed.
Obtain and maintain a good knowledge of other providers and stakeholders in the area who can provide additional support to service users.

This job description is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements of the job content. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements.

Person Specification
All of the following requirements are essential.

Education and Qualifications

Application

Interview
GCSE Mathematics Grade C or above (or equivalent)

GCSE English Language Grade C or above (or equivalent)

NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)

Skills and experience
An understanding of the needs of people with dementia and their carers

Evidence of excellent organisational skills

Good presentation and interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Ability to use initiative to prioritise and demonstrate a problem solving approach

Ability to make sound decisions under pressure

Good time management skills

Experience in collaborative working

Personal Attributes/ Qualities