Clinical Nurse Specialist – Dementia and Delirium
Closing date: 06 July 2026.
Exciting opportunity for an experienced registered adult or mental health nurse to join our team of specialist nurses supporting patients with a formal or informal dementia diagnosis. Based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.
Enjoy a fantastic work‑life balance on the South Coast, with Brighton’s vibrant seaside culture, great transport links, and welcoming community alongside Haywards Heath’s green spaces, strong commuter connections, and friendly town feel. Together, they offer the perfect blend of coastal living, career convenience, and a supportive place to live and work.
Job Summary
The Clinical Nurse Specialist – Dementia and Delirium will provide clinical expertise and support to patients, carers, and staff in the management of dementia and delirium across the Trust.
Main Duties
- Support patients with a formal or informal diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment at all stages of the disease process.
- Provide education and expertise to ward staff, family members, and carers.
- Work as an autonomous practitioner, liaising with all members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver clinical, emotional, psychological support and education.
- Provide dedicated dementia education to the Trust and facilitate evidence‑based best practice.
- Work in an innovative and flexible way to adapt to a developing and evolving service.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with external services and providers.
- Support development and line management of dementia team members – Dementia Nurses, Dementia Nurse Associate, Dementia Technician.
- Deputise with clinical expertise in the absence of the Head of Nursing for Mental Health and Dementia.
- Support volunteers working with patients living with dementia or cognitive impairment.
- Act as Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor for students (pre‑ and post‑graduate/registration) allocated to the dementia team for placement.
- Provide expertise and support for patients with delirium (with or without a diagnosis of dementia).
- Enhance support for dementia team staff across the Trust.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship to ensure support for diversity and inclusion.
- Role‑model effective care and treatment interventions, providing advice and education for patients, carers, and health‑care professionals.
- Maintain a knowledge base reflecting contemporary issues in dementia and apply evidence‑based practice autonomously.
- Collaborate with other nurses and specialists to share practice and provide uniformly high standards of evidence‑based care.
- Assess, develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans involving carers and relatives.
- Assess patients presenting with delirium, identify reversible components, recommend interventions, and review outcomes.
- Support families and carers with education to prevent recurrence.
- Advocate for patients, identifying needs and applying legal frameworks for capacity, safeguarding, and secure passage.
- Ensure effective communication and timely flow through the hospital, supporting discharge to avoid unnecessary re‑admission.
- Provide leadership and intervention for patients with complex needs within the Trust environment.
- Implement and develop the Trust Strategy for Dementia.
The role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route, subject to meeting specific requirements.
Person Specification
Professional Registration
- Registered Adult or Mental Health Nurse
Qualifications and Experience
- Qualification in teaching and assessment/mentoring.
- Post‑graduate qualification in dementia.
- Evidence of academic development at Level 7.
- Significant post‑registration advanced nursing experience in the area of specialism – recent Band 6 or above experience.
- Demonstrated evidence‑based practice.
- Evidence of clinical skills and abilities relevant to a role as a nurse caring for patients living with dementia and their carers.
- Understanding of relevant government papers and recent advances in dementia research.
- Knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults.
Skills
- Evidence of autonomous decision making.
- Experience in problem solving.
- Ability to manage own caseload.
- Ability to prioritise and manage a range of tasks and duties with competing demands.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equality issues.
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer Details
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address: Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton, BN2 5BE, United Kingdom.
Employer’s website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/
Salarial range: £49,387 to £56,515 per annum pro rata.
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