Job overview

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Mental Health Practitioner to join our MSNAP Accredited Memory Assessment Service - East Suffolk  on a permanent basis either full time or part time considered.

The Memory Assessment Service East (CMAS) is clinician-led with a strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary team working to ensure that users of the service receive high quality, compassionate care throughout their memory assessment process. You will work within a full MDT which includes nurses, OTs, support workers, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Psychology, and which is well supported by admin.

We know current diagnosis rates in Suffolk are below national average rates and yet we know that getting a diagnosis enables people living with dementia to access treatments, (where appropriate), plan for the future, access care, and receive essential information and advice. The Memory Service is dynamic, responsive and proactive to meeting those changing needs of the local population and its service users accessing the service.

The team is currently embracing the opportunity to be part of the Older Person Transformation within the Trust working alongside our colleagues within Older Person Services across the Trust and other third sector services making this a fantastic time to be part of our Service Development.

We are looking for individuals who bring enthusiasm, creativity and energy to work in this vital area.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will join a service with a positive team culture, focused on learning, developing, improving and supporting each other as well as our service users.  Staff wellbeing and development are key priority areas.

General responsibilities include:

- Having a good understanding of dementia subtypes.

- Completing holistic assessments to investigate cognitive changes and symptoms of dementia

Using a variety of cognitive assessment tools, and the interpretation of the results

- Attending a weekly Diagnostic Formulation MDT meeting to formulate diagnoses.

- Supporting with a duty role, and the screening and triaging of incoming referrals.

- Delivering a diagnosis of dementia to patients and their families.

- Participating in regular team teaching / development opportunities.

- Supporting students on placement with the service.

- Supporting the facilitation of post-diagnostic groups.

- Attending monthly Management and Clinical supervision.

- Participation in service development.

- Participation in research projects

- Development of robust relationships with partner agencies and services.

You will be expected to be able to work autonomously and manage your time well.  

You must be able to be able to travel to various locations across Suffolk.

Working for our organisation

Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other. In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive.

Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey. We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Why Norfolk and Suffolk? The people here are warm and welcoming, you’ll never be far from the beautiful coastline or Broads National Park. We’re an hour and a half away from London and have an international airport in Norwich too. Our villages, towns and cities are packed full of history, independent cafes, shops and theatres. We have excellent shopping, eating out, top ranking schooling and affordable house prices too.