Job summary
In collaboration with Dementia UK, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust is looking to recruit an exceptional, registered nurse with a passion for, and experience of, providing relationship-centred dementia care to join our team at Lister Hospital as an Admiral Nurse.
Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who work with and support families and carers of people with dementia. As an Admiral Nurse within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, you will be based at Lister Hospital and will lead, deliver and coordinate relationship-centred dementia care in order to improve the experience of carers/families affected by dementia throughout the hospital stay. You will provide specialist one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions for families and will support the best practice of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust staff.
Main duties of the job
Employed by East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust you will be supported by Dementia UK to maintain and strengthen your clinical expertise as a specialist nurse in dementia care through Practice Development, Clinical Supervision, and Continuing Professional Development. You will also become part of a network of Admiral Nurses, and will have the opportunity to access relevant post-graduate courses and develop professionally, informed by the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework.
The successful applicant will be NMC registered, with significant post-registration clinical experience of working with people with dementia and supporting their carers/supporters in different settings, along with formal knowledge of dementia acquired through clinical post-graduate training/education.
About us
WHO ARE WE?
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust is a very special organisation. Our teams are amazing, and this has been demonstrated even more so during the unprecedented challenge brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our ability to be flexible and innovative in the way in which we work and deliver our services to our catchment has never been more important than it is now.
ABOUT OUR HOSPITAL
Lister Hospital, Stevenage
- Provides a full range of outpatient, inpatient, emergency, maternity and diagnostic services
- Has a designated trauma centre
- Provides a 24/7 heart attack service
- Has the biggest renal dialysis service in the region
- Is working to become a hyper acute stroke unit
- Is the only robotic urology surgery training organisation in the country
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Clinical
- Provide clinical leadership on evidence-based approaches to care, which meet the needs of people with dementia, carers/families and staff
- Lead on the care of people with dementia and their carers/families with complex care needs from peri diagnosis to post bereavement support
- Provide specialist nursing assessment, using the Admiral Nurse Assessment Framework, for carers/families affected by dementia during hospital admission
- Provide a range of bio-psychosocial interventions to promote health and wellbeing for people with dementia and their carers/families
- Work collaboratively with other professionals to improve the identification and management of co morbidities and frailty for people with dementia and their carers/families
- Develop and support care plans for people with dementia including positive risk management (e.g. falls, delirium, depression, incontinence)
- Support people with dementia, carers/families and staff to understand and respond to changes in behaviour and relationships as a result of dementia
- Ensure the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and that all legal requirements relating to Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009)2 are considered and adhered to in relation to patient care
- Act as an advocate for people with dementia and their carers/families to promote their rights and best interests
- Participate and lead on case conferences and best interest meetings where required
- Work collaboratively with health, social and voluntary sector services to achieve coordinated care
- Work in partnership with colleagues to provide support and information to families, particularly around advance care planning, best interest decisions and end of life care
- Manage care transitions and support effective discharge for people with dementia and their carers/families in order to reduce frequency of admissions and length of stay
- Ensure that care is delivered in accordance with relevant local and national guidelines and all relevant East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust policies
- Recognise the limits of own competency and professional boundaries and make appropriate and timely referrals to other services where required
Education and Leadership
- Facilitate and support the development and delivery of innovative dementia training and education to staff within the Trust at all levels, to improve competence and confidence, in line with best practice and guidance
- Participate in and/or lead formal training events promoting best practice in dementia care and disseminating Admiral Nursing work
- Support in planning, managing and overseeing at least one quality improvement project each year to achieve a beneficial change to patient experience in line with the quality objectives of the organisation and national priorities in relation to dementia care
- Professional and clinical leadership and mentorship, acting as a clinical role model on the delivery of evidence-based practice in dementia care within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
- Advise and support on the development and delivery of work streams as part of the Trusts Dementia Strategy
- Advise and support quality improvement projects lead by others, as the subject matter expert in relation to dementia care
- Work proactively with key local and national stakeholders to develop more integrated care pathways and holistic models of care, through dissemination of specialist skills and knowledge
- Lead on the delivery of policy and procedures for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust to improve identification, assessment, ongoing support and effective discharge for people with dementia and their family carers
Evaluation and Audit
- Support the audit and evaluation of quality improvements and initiatives aimed at improving the delivery of dementia care within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, where appropriate to the role
- Collect and review quantitative and qualitative data, as agreed, to evaluate and audit the Admiral Nurse Service and make necessary improvements
- Undertake analysis and evaluation and make any recommendations to the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trusts Dementia Strategy Group or similar
- Ensure information and data recorded is relevant, accurate, complete and captured in a contemporaneous manner
Professional
- Ensure all nursing practice is carried out in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the NMC Code
- Attend and actively participate in practice development, clinical supervision, and continuing professional development, including the Admiral Nurse Competency module and the Admiral Nurse Forum, as supported by Dementia UK
- Develop own competence through use of the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework and portfolio development using resources provided by Dementia UK
- Maintain professional registration in line with NMC guidance, including re-validation
- Contribute to and lead on the development of policies, procedures and protocols relevant to dementia and Admiral Nursing within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, including the Standard Operational Policy
- Ensure compliance with Trust clinical governance requirements
- Participate in clinical supervision/mentoring within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust where appropriate
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based recommendations on supporting people with dementia and their carers/families
- Maintain positive working relationships with Dementia UK
- Lead on Admiral Nurse steering groups with Dementia UK and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
Clinical
- Provide clinical leadership on evidence-based approaches to care, which meet the needs of people with dementia, carers/families and staff
- Lead on the care of people with dementia and their carers/families with complex care needs from peri diagnosis to post bereavement support
- Provide specialist nursing assessment, using the Admiral Nurse Assessment Framework, for carers/families affected by dementia during hospital admission
- Provide a range of bio-psychosocial interventions to promote health and wellbeing for people with dementia and their carers/families
- Work collaboratively with other professionals to improve the identification and management of co morbidities and frailty for people with dementia and their carers/families
- Develop and support care plans for people with dementia including positive risk management (e.g. falls, delirium, depression, incontinence)
- Support people with dementia, carers/families and staff to understand and respond to changes in behaviour and relationships as a result of dementia
- Ensure the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and that all legal requirements relating to Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007), and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (2009)2 are considered and adhered to in relation to patient care
- Act as an advocate for people with dementia and their carers/families to promote their rights and best interests
- Participate and lead on case conferences and best interest meetings where required
- Work collaboratively with health, social and voluntary sector services to achieve coordinated care
- Work in partnership with colleagues to provide support and information to families, particularly around advance care planning, best interest decisions and end of life care
- Manage care transitions and support effective discharge for people with dementia and their carers/families in order to reduce frequency of admissions and length of stay
- Ensure that care is delivered in accordance with relevant local and national guidelines and all relevant East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust policies
- Recognise the limits of own competency and professional boundaries and make appropriate and timely referrals to other services where required
Education and Leadership
- Facilitate and support the development and delivery of innovative dementia training and education to staff within the Trust at all levels, to improve competence and confidence, in line with best practice and guidance
- Participate in and/or lead formal training events promoting best practice in dementia care and disseminating Admiral Nursing work
- Support in planning, managing and overseeing at least one quality improvement project each year to achieve a beneficial change to patient experience in line with the quality objectives of the organisation and national priorities in relation to dementia care
- Professional and clinical leadership and mentorship, acting as a clinical role model on the delivery of evidence-based practice in dementia care within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
- Advise and support on the development and delivery of work streams as part of the Trusts Dementia Strategy
- Advise and support quality improvement projects lead by others, as the subject matter expert in relation to dementia care
- Work proactively with key local and national stakeholders to develop more integrated care pathways and holistic models of care, through dissemination of specialist skills and knowledge
- Lead on the delivery of policy and procedures for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust to improve identification, assessment, ongoing support and effective discharge for people with dementia and their family carers
Evaluation and Audit
- Support the audit and evaluation of quality improvements and initiatives aimed at improving the delivery of dementia care within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, where appropriate to the role
- Collect and review quantitative and qualitative data, as agreed, to evaluate and audit the Admiral Nurse Service and make necessary improvements
- Undertake analysis and evaluation and make any recommendations to the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trusts Dementia Strategy Group or similar
- Ensure information and data recorded is relevant, accurate, complete and captured in a contemporaneous manner
Professional
- Ensure all nursing practice is carried out in accordance with the agreed policies and procedures of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the NMC Code
- Attend and actively participate in practice development, clinical supervision, and continuing professional development, including the Admiral Nurse Competency module and the Admiral Nurse Forum, as supported by Dementia UK
- Develop own competence through use of the Admiral Nurse Competency Framework and portfolio development using resources provided by Dementia UK
- Maintain professional registration in line with NMC guidance, including re-validation
- Contribute to and lead on the development of policies, procedures and protocols relevant to dementia and Admiral Nursing within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, including the Standard Operational Policy
- Ensure compliance with Trust clinical governance requirements
- Participate in clinical supervision/mentoring within East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust where appropriate
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based recommendations on supporting people with dementia and their carers/families
- Maintain positive working relationships with Dementia UK
- Lead on Admiral Nurse steering groups with Dementia UK and East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (RMN/RNMH/RGN/RNLD)
- Post registration qualification/training in dementia
- Post-graduate training/ education in dementia/older people
- Willingness to work towards the Level 7 Admiral Nurse Competency Framework Module
Desirable
- Additional nursing qualification
- Masters level qualification in dementia / older people's care
- Mentorship Qualification
- Relevant teaching qualification
Work Experience and Attainments
Essential
- Significant post-registration clinical experience of working with people with dementia and their carers/families in different settings, including acute care
- Experience of completing holistic nursing assessments
- Experience of providing bio-psychosocial interventions
- Experience of recent involvement in practice/ service development
- Experience of facilitating and delivering training
- Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
- Experience of managing care across care transitions
- Ability to lead and manage services
- Experience of professional supervision of staff
- Experience of audit/ evaluating clinical practice
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking staff performance reviews and planned development of staff
- Experience of working with patients/ clients to develop practice
- Experience of older persons medicine and palliative care
- Experience of supporting systematic practice development/ quality improvement
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate all the 6 Admiral Nurse competencies: Person-centred care, Therapeutic skills, Triadic relationship centred working, Sharing knowledge Delivering best practice, Critical reflective practice
- Effective role-modelling
- Collaborative and multi-agency working
- Act as a decision maker and advocate
- Good organisational skills
- Good facilitation and presentation skills
- Ability to use Information Technology to improve the delivery of care
- Ability to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data for service evaluation and development
- Application of sources of research and research methods to evaluate and enhance practice
- Ability to provide supervision, critical companionship and support to team members
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Ability to write/present for a range of audiences
- Knowledge of relevant policies/national strategy e.g. MCA/DoLS/ACP/NICE guideline/Care Act
Desirable
- Understanding of competency frameworks
Aptitudes and Attributes
Essential
- Enhanced communication skills
- Flexibility and creativity
- Ability to operate effectively with a constantly developing relationship with key stakeholders and associated agencies
- Ability to work in groups/one to one
- Ability to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy
- Ability to treat families affected by dementia with respect and dignity, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person
- Positive mental attitude and a willingness to discuss and negotiate issues and ideas with the appropriate team / individual
- Ability to learn through practice
- Demonstrates a commitment to quality of care
- Demonstrates integrity, compassion and a caring nature
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (RMN/RNMH/RGN/RNLD)
- Post registration qualification/training in dementia
- Post-graduate training/ education in dementia/older people
- Willingness to work towards the Level 7 Admiral Nurse Competency Framework Module
Desirable
- Additional nursing qualification
- Masters level qualification in dementia / older people's care
- Mentorship Qualification
- Relevant teaching qualification
Work Experience and Attainments
Essential
- Significant post-registration clinical experience of working with people with dementia and their carers/families in different settings, including acute care
- Experience of completing holistic nursing assessments
- Experience of providing bio-psychosocial interventions
- Experience of recent involvement in practice/ service development
- Experience of facilitating and delivering training
- Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner
- Experience of managing care across care transitions
- Ability to lead and manage services
- Experience of professional supervision of staff
- Experience of audit/ evaluating clinical practice
Desirable
- Experience of undertaking staff performance reviews and planned development of staff
- Experience of working with patients/ clients to develop practice
- Experience of older persons medicine and palliative care
- Experience of supporting systematic practice development/ quality improvement
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate all the 6 Admiral Nurse competencies: Person-centred care, Therapeutic skills, Triadic relationship centred working, Sharing knowledge Delivering best practice, Critical reflective practice
- Effective role-modelling
- Collaborative and multi-agency working
- Act as a decision maker and advocate
- Good organisational skills
- Good facilitation and presentation skills
- Ability to use Information Technology to improve the delivery of care
- Ability to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data for service evaluation and development
- Application of sources of research and research methods to evaluate and enhance practice
- Ability to provide supervision, critical companionship and support to team members
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Ability to write/present for a range of audiences
- Knowledge of relevant policies/national strategy e.g. MCA/DoLS/ACP/NICE guideline/Care Act
Desirable
- Understanding of competency frameworks
Aptitudes and Attributes
Essential
- Enhanced communication skills
- Flexibility and creativity
- Ability to operate effectively with a constantly developing relationship with key stakeholders and associated agencies
- Ability to work in groups/one to one
- Ability to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy
- Ability to treat families affected by dementia with respect and dignity, adopting a culturally sensitive approach that considers the needs of the whole person
- Positive mental attitude and a willingness to discuss and negotiate issues and ideas with the appropriate team / individual
- Ability to learn through practice
- Demonstrates a commitment to quality of care
- Demonstrates integrity, compassion and a caring nature
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
