Support Worker in Dementia and Delirium Care
We are looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and caring Healthcare Assistant, who is reliable and flexible to join our Dementia and Delirium Team.
As part of our vision to provide excellence in Dementia and Delirium care for all our patients across the organisation, the Dementia and Delirium team have an exciting opportunity for a Dementia Support Worker to join their team within Somerset Foundation Trust. We are looking for dedicated individuals, who enjoy engaging with patients with a cognitive impairment and is committed to providing individualised care.
The role will entail working across all inpatient's wards within acute and community services to support patients and wards staff in caring for those who have dementia and are at risk of developing a delirium. It will involve helping to develop care plans and personalised meaningful activities, meaning excellent communication skills are essential. The successful candidate will need to be confident in liaising with families and carer's of patients.
Main duties of the job:
* Be responsible for organising and planning your own caseload delegated by and in discussion with, senior team members to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
* Ensure that your own practice always meets Trust standards and is in line with Trust.
* Ensure your own ongoing personal/professional development by attending courses, clinical supervision and peer supervision on a regular basis.
* Comply with the Trust and departmental policies and procedures.
* Operate appropriate Information and Digital Technology systems to contribute to record keeping and data analysis, under guidance from Trust Policy.
* 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.
* Assist to identify patients who are admitted with a dementia or delirium and proactively make contact with them and their family/carers.
* Ensure that appropriate documentation and flagging is in place and appropriate referrals are made.
* Liaise with wards to ensure 'What matters to me' documents are meaningfully completed.
* Establish relationships with patients and identify ways to support them whilst in hospital, regularly engaging with individuals and their families/carer.
Person Specification:
Qualifications:
* Adult/elderly rehabilitation, nursing, care worker experience.
* Post holder will be required to achieve NVQ 2/3 or equivalent in care/rehabilitation if not already held.
Experience:
* Sound patient interviewing skills. Basic computer skills.
* Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
* Ability to implement basic treatment plans with appropriate support from the therapist.
Additional Criteria:
* Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills.
* Good time management.
* Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the patients.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Good verbal and written communication.
* Appropriate use of initiative and ability to work as integrated team member or under own initiative.
* Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
* To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. The Trust is committed to providing a working environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying.
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