Health ConnectorNHS

Job summary

As a Health Connector, you'll play a key role in the PCNs social prescribing service, supporting people across West Mendip to improve their health, wellbeing and independence through non-clinical, community based support.

Minimum of 22.5 hours per week, with potential of up to 37.5 hours per week in line with service requirements.Please get in touch with the individual listed in the contact section if you would like to discuss this further.

This role is included within the extended hours provision and may involve working an evening and/or Saturday on a rota basis.

Please note: this vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received.

Expected interview date: week commencing 2nd November.

Main duties of the job

You'll work directly with individuals and groups, offering time, space and practical support to help people identify what matters to them and access services, activities and resources that can make a positive difference. This includes one-to-one support, facilitating group based wellbeing activity, and helping people take small, achievable steps towards improving their physical, emotional and social health.

The role involves managing a varied caseload, working closely with GP practices and the wider PCN team, and contributing to group sessions that focus on wellbeing, building healthier habits and supporting people with ongoing or pain related conditions. You'll also help strengthen local connections by promoting community resources, contributing to the development of new opportunities, and supporting a prevention focused, neighbourhood approach.

This role forms part of the PCNs social prescribing service, supported by the locally commissioned Health Connections model.

Job description

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Social Prescribing

• Develop trusting, supportive relationships with people, working flexibly across a range of settings including in GP practices, in the community and in people's homes
• Support people using a person-centred, holistic approach, focusing on what matters to them and recognising the wider factors that affect health and wellbeing
• Help people to improve their health, wellbeing and social welfare by connecting them to a wide range of local community services, groups, projects and resources
• Encourage people to increase their active involvement in their local community, helping to strengthen personal and community resilience and reduce health inequalities

Health and Wellbeing Coaching

• Provide one-to-one and group health and wellbeing coaching for people who would benefit from support to improve their health and wellbeing, based on what matters to them
• Support people to build confidence, motivation and skills to better manage their own health and wellbeing and improve their health outcomes
• Use behaviour change approaches, including goal-setting and motivational techniques, to support people to make sustainable changes
• Manage and prioritise a caseload of people, recognising when a person's needs are beyond the scope of the role and referring back to, or on to, appropriate health professionals or services as required

Community Outreach and Service Development

• Deliver PCN projects, programmes and activities within the community, including group-based support, outreach, and engagement initiatives, in line with service priorities - this includes existing or newly developed projects and services in response to local need, and working in partnership with local organisations/services and communities where appropriate
• Represent the PCN at community events, outreach activities and informal settings (for example coffee mornings) to engage people and promote PCN support and projects
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the PCN and wider system to support joined-up, person-centred care
• Attend and contribute to team, GP practice and PCN meetings and events as required
• Make use of regular supervision, reflective practice and continual learning to support safe, effective and person-centred practice.
• Identify gaps in local service provision through conversations with people and communities, working with your line manager, colleagues and community stakeholders to explore and develop potential responses - this may include supporting the development of new community groups or partnership projects

Safeguarding, Governance and Risk

• Recognise potential safeguarding concerns and follow PCN procedures, escalating to Senior SPLW or the appropriate clinician or safeguarding lead as required
• Ensure accurate, timely and confidential record-keeping in line with information governance requirements
• Work within professional boundaries and ethical practice, in line with the duty of candour and PCN policies
• Identify and raise concerns or risks encountered in day-to-day practice, escalating appropriately in line with PCN procedures

ALL POST HOLDERS ARE REQUIRED TO

• Adhere to West Mendip PCN policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training
• Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training
• Take part in an annual appraisal
• Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018
• Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body should registration be required for the post
• Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Infection Control policies and procedures
• Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations
• Perform general administrative duties such as locating of clinical files and working with the administrative team as required
• Document in patient notes in the agreed PCN format
• Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies or injury to senior staff
• Strive to maintain quality within the PCN, and alert other team members to issues of quality and risk, assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other services and organisations to meet patients needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

NOTE

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive and may be updated to reflect evolving service needs, following consultation with the post holder. All duties are to be carried out in accordance with West Mendip PCN policies, procedures and guidelines. Routine operational changes do not require amendment.

UNDERPINNING POLICIES

The post holder is expected to maintain confidentiality, uphold equality and diversity, and comply with safeguarding, health and safety and risk management requirements at all times. They should take part in personal and professional development, contribute to quality improvement, and communicate effectively with colleagues, other organisations and services, and the people they support, in line with PCN standards and legal obligations. The role also requires accurate and secure record keeping in accordance with the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and other relevant legislation.

About us

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were established in July 2019 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve the quality and accessibility of care by encouraging collaboration among various healthcare services and community organisations.

One of 13 PCNs in Somerset, we are a collaboration of five GP practices in West Mendip: Glastonbury Health Centre, Glastonbury Surgery, Wells City Practice, Wells Health Centre and Vine Surgery Partnership (Street).