JOB SUMMARY

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. The role would include working with the wider MTD sharing assessments and knowledge to help facilitate appropriate discharges in a timely manner
If you have good interpersonal and organisational skills, enjoy a challenge and have a passion to deliver a high standard of patient care, then this is the opportunity for you!

ABOUT US

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you’ll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it’s a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

JOB DESCRIPTION

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

To 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.
To ensure that your own practice always meets Trust standards and is in line with Trust
To ensure your own ongoing personal/professional development by attending courses, clinical supervision and peer supervision on a regular basis.
To comply with the Trust and departmental policies and procedures
To be able 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.