Dementia Assessment Nurse -DAS North

Transformationunitgm; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Horsham is looking for a Band 6 Registered Mental Health Nurse to join their Dementia Assessment Service. This role involves assessing patients for dementia and providing post-diagnostic support. Candidates should have a passion for dementia care, post-registration experience, and a commitment to professional development. The Trust offers a supportive work environment, flexible working options, and a competitive salary range of £38,682 - £46,580 per annum.

Benefits

Cycle to work scheme

Car lease scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Total reward statement

Discount schemes and codes

Pension

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current registration relevant to the job role.
• Experience working with older adults presenting with dementia or complex mental health difficulties.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Support people through the assessment process and access appropriate treatments.
• Use standardised assessment processes with the multidisciplinary team.
• Provide post-diagnosis follow-ups for confirmed dementia patients.

Skills

Passionate about supporting adults with Dementia

Experienced in conducting clinical assessments

Comfortable working in an autonomous role

Education

Registered Nurse with NMC – Mental Health or LD

Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent

Job description

Main area Dementia Assessment Service North Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Post is 37.5hrs but can offer part time of 30.0 hrs) Job ref 354-AN-20844

Employer Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Horsham New Park house Town Horsham Salary £38,682 - £46,580 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 01/01/2026 23:59

Dementia Assessment Nurse -DAS North

NHS AfC: Band 6

Come and join us

We’re looking for people who share our values of compassion, accountability and optimism to help us provide high quality care for the patients, carers, families and communities we serve. We specialise in NHS mental health and learning disability services and we’re proud to make a difference every day.

At SPFT we put people first. We’ll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. You’ll have opportunities to learn, grow and gain new experiences to support your career, with access to lifelong learning and professional development.

We actively promote flexible working and understand how important work life balance is, especially in healthcare. Whether it’s part time hours, hybrid working or flexible start and finish times, we’ll explore what works for you and the role.

We recognise that AI is becoming part of daily life and you may choose to use it to help prepare your application. We welcome innovation but ask that anything you submit reflects your own abilities, experience and voice. AI can support how you describe your skills and experience, but it should never replace your own words as we want to get to know you.

We’re shaping a workplace where ideas are encouraged, technology supports you and everyone has a voice in how we improve. If that sounds like the kind of organisation you want to be part of, we’d love to hear from you.

Job overview

We are looking for passionate, highly motivated Band 6 Registered Mental Health Nurse to join our Dementia Assessment Service based in North West Sussex.

Applications are invited for individuals who have a keen interest in Dementia and possess post registration experience working with clients with Dementia or within Dementia Services.

The Dementia Assessment Service (North) provides diagnostic assessment and post diagnostic interventions for people with suspected dementia within the North Sussex area in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society.

Early diagnosis is a fundamental component of the National Dementia Strategy and aim to empower people and their carers to make decisions about their future based on early diagnostic information relating to their condition.

With all this in mind, our service aim to provide support to service users and carers with the early detection of a dementia and the provision of post diagnosis follow up.

Our work is focussed on assessment of potential dementia, so although we support a large number of people, we don’t carry caseloads for long periods of time.

Main duties of the job

• Support people through the assessment process and in accessing the right treatment and support for their individual needs.
• Use a standardised assessment process in conjunction with the whole multidisciplinary team to help resolve concerns around cognition and potential dementia for patients and their families. Once a diagnosis has been formulated, provide appropriate support, signposting and advice to help patients live well with their diagnosis.
• Provide post diagnosis follow‑up for patients and carers where dementia is confirmed, supporting them in managing their condition and accessing community services.

This post offers the Trust's £2,000 Golden Hello or Relocation Incentive for Band 6 Nurses & Practitioners, (pro rata and subject to terms and conditions; please see attached Protocol Document for full details).

Working for our organisation

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health, learning disability, and neurodevelopmental services for people of all ages in South East England. This includes services for children, young people, adults, and older adults, offered in various settings such as homes, clinics, hospitals, and secure units.

They also offer urgent care services for adults experiencing mental health crises, including support in A&E and dedicated crisis assessment facilities.

Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns. Embrace the South Coast with a great range of historic and contemporary seaside towns.

We’d love you to join our Trust, rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree.

Staff benefits and discounts include:

• Cycle to work scheme
• Car lease scheme
• Total reward statement
• Pension
• Discount schemes and codes
• Health and wellbeing support

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Requirements

• A Registered Nurse with the NMC – Mental Health, or LD
• Passionate about supporting adults with Dementia or suspected Dementia
• Experienced in conducting clinical assessments
• Comfortable working in an autonomous role, managing your own diary/caseload
• Experienced working with older adults presenting with dementia or complex mental health difficulties (advantageous)
• Opportunities for additional CPD, including specialist dementia training with The Royal College of Psychiatry

The service operates 0900 - 1700 hours Monday to Friday, with extra bank hours available for those who seek it.

The ability to travel across the region is essential for this role, as you will need to visit people in the local community. SPFT staff have the capacity to work from home remotely if not needed in clinics, where applicable in agreement with your line manager.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current registration [mental health/LD/Adult], appropriate to the job role
• Completion of Mentorship Course/ENB equivalent
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge / Experience

• Significant post qualifying experience in the relevant care group
• Experience of working alongside people with complex health problems in the designated care group
• Experience of providing a range of clinical interventions to people in the designated care group with a variety of health problems
• Experience of working consultatively with professionals
• Experience of conducting clinical assessments including risk assessments
• Experience of partnership working within and across various statutory and non statutory teams and agencies
• Experience of working within the CPA process
• Understanding of clinical governance
• Previous experience of working in the community

SPFT is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from disabled candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.

Successful candidates are normally appointed to the bottom of the pay scale unless previous experience in a similar role can be evidenced.

SPFT takes its responsibilities for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk very seriously. We expect all staff and bank workers to share this commitment and complete the relevant safeguarding training for their role.

If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. However, we’ll do our best to keep you informed as we know how much time and care goes into applying for a role.

In the event of a high number of applications, we may close this vacancy early.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.