Job summary
Titan Primary Care Network are excited to be expanding our established Social Prescribing Service by appointing a second Link Worker.
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of
their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical Link Workers who
give time, focus on what matters topatients and take a holistic approach,
connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and
emotional support. Link Workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable
and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all
local partners.
Main duties of the job
Social Prescribing Link Workers are an important member of
our multi-disciplinary team and take referrals from all member practices and
identified community services/groups.
We are looking for a pro-active and self-starter Social
Prescribing Link Worker with excellent communication and organisational skills
to help Titan to work differently with people and communities, meeting wider
social needs, connecting people for community support.
You will spend time with the people referred to you,
building trusting relationships, listening carefully to what matters to people
and what motivates them to create a shared plan to take control of their health
and wellbeing.
You will help them to connect with community and voluntary
groups locally, supporting them to make their own choices and help them build
confidence to cope with social situations, such as community group meetings.
About us
Titan Primary Care Network consists of 3 friendly practices (Toddington Medical Centre, Houghton Regis Medical Centre and Wheatfield Surgery) working together to provide excellent patient care to a population of over 30,000 patients. As a Network we are striving to be at the forefront of PCN development and are involved in several exciting pilot projects.
At Titan PCN we encourage personal development and support/mentor our staff to further their knowledge and skills.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Description of the Role
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical Link Workers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link Workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
How does this role help other people?
This role helps people to work on their wider health and wellbeing, specifically wider determinants of their health, as well as other lifestyle issues and low-level mental health concerns by increasing peoples active involvement with their local communities.
Is there a training and induction programme for the role?
Yes, full training will be provided as part of the induction process.
Key responsibilities
- Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services;
- Evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting the individuals health and wellbeing needs;
- Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes;
- Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them; and
- Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities, and the wider determinants of health. iii. The role will require social prescribing link workers to manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population. Where required and as appropriate, the social prescribing link workers will refer people back to other health professionals within the PCN.
- Social prescribing link workers will work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting the local VCSE organisations and community groups to become sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, through sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities.
- Social prescribing link workers will have a role in educating nonclinical and clinical staff within the PCN on services are available within the community and how and when patients can access them. This may include verbal or written advice and guidance.
- Identify and engage effectively in a non-judgemental and respectful manor with members of the community from all backgrounds, abilities and ages, listening and interpreting complex health information into understandable terms about health and health improvement
- Assess the client's abilities and preferences, thinking laterally and then advising and supporting them in a variety of areas/activities being and sensitive to barriers to adopting a healthier lifestyle such as affordability, accessibility and life circumstances
- Encourage people in choices and actions that are acceptable and achievable to them, while being aware of cultural and social considerations in regard people's lifestyles * Conduct an assessment of a client's circumstances and challenges to determine the nature and extent of their non-clinical needs *
- Support people to recognise and change their current lifestyle and to identify how their way of life might affect their health and well-being
- Provide Health Education to people to improve health and encourage healthy lifestyles/promote behavioural change
Key Areas
- Improved health and quality of life
- Increased patient satisfaction
- Fewer primary care consultations
- Reductions in the number of hospital admissions, visits to Accident and Emergency, and outpatient attendances
- A decrease in the use of wider hospital resources
- Reduction in 999 calls.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Description of the Role
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical Link Workers who give time, focus on what matters to me and take a holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Link Workers support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new community groups, working collaboratively with all local partners.
How does this role help other people?
This role helps people to work on their wider health and wellbeing, specifically wider determinants of their health, as well as other lifestyle issues and low-level mental health concerns by increasing peoples active involvement with their local communities.
Is there a training and induction programme for the role?
Yes, full training will be provided as part of the induction process.
Key responsibilities
- Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to address the patients health and wellbeing needs by introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services;
- Evaluate how far the actions in the care and support plan are meeting the individuals health and wellbeing needs;
- Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes;
- Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and focus on what matters to them; and
- Take a holistic approach, based on the persons priorities, and the wider determinants of health. iii. The role will require social prescribing link workers to manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their population. Where required and as appropriate, the social prescribing link workers will refer people back to other health professionals within the PCN.
- Social prescribing link workers will work collaboratively with all local partners to contribute towards supporting the local VCSE organisations and community groups to become sustainable and that community assets are nurtured, through sharing intelligence regarding any gaps or problems identified in local provision with commissioners and local authorities.
- Social prescribing link workers will have a role in educating nonclinical and clinical staff within the PCN on services are available within the community and how and when patients can access them. This may include verbal or written advice and guidance.
- Identify and engage effectively in a non-judgemental and respectful manor with members of the community from all backgrounds, abilities and ages, listening and interpreting complex health information into understandable terms about health and health improvement
- Assess the client's abilities and preferences, thinking laterally and then advising and supporting them in a variety of areas/activities being and sensitive to barriers to adopting a healthier lifestyle such as affordability, accessibility and life circumstances
- Encourage people in choices and actions that are acceptable and achievable to them, while being aware of cultural and social considerations in regard people's lifestyles * Conduct an assessment of a client's circumstances and challenges to determine the nature and extent of their non-clinical needs *
- Support people to recognise and change their current lifestyle and to identify how their way of life might affect their health and well-being
- Provide Health Education to people to improve health and encourage healthy lifestyles/promote behavioural change
Key Areas
- Improved health and quality of life
- Increased patient satisfaction
- Fewer primary care consultations
- Reductions in the number of hospital admissions, visits to Accident and Emergency, and outpatient attendances
- A decrease in the use of wider hospital resources
- Reduction in 999 calls.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards or relevant work experience.
Desirable
- Motivational coaching and interviewing skills qualification or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of supporting people in health, social care or voluntary sector.
Skills
Essential
- The ability to:
- - communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders,
- - identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals,
- - provide leadership and to finish work tasks,
- - support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential,
- - write personalised plans and conduct surveys and conduct service evaluation processes,
- - organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines.
Desirable
- Ability to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.
Awareness
Essential
- Have a strong awareness and understanding:
- - of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner,
- - how to lead and motivate people and work effectively in teams,
- - of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development.
Desirable
- Awareness of:
- - safeguarding procedures for children and adults,
- - governance and confidentiality and General Data Protection Regulations,
- - how to work collaboratively with partner organisations.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of:
- - the personalised care approach,
- - the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities,
- - IT Systems, including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports,
- - and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.
Desirable
- Knowledge of:
- - VCSE and community services in the locality,
- - community development approaches.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Applicants should be:
- - be caring, compassionate and tolerant,
- - able to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues,
- - able to work flexibly and enthusiastically within a team or on own initiative,
- - committed to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups),
- - able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues,
- - able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity,
- - able to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way,
- - committed to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.
- Applicants should demonstrate:
- - personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure,
- - commitment to professional and personal development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards or relevant work experience.
Desirable
- Motivational coaching and interviewing skills qualification or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of supporting people in health, social care or voluntary sector.
Skills
Essential
- The ability to:
- - communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders,
- - identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals,
- - provide leadership and to finish work tasks,
- - support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential,
- - write personalised plans and conduct surveys and conduct service evaluation processes,
- - organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines.
Desirable
- Ability to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.
Awareness
Essential
- Have a strong awareness and understanding:
- - of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies, when what the person needs is beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a mental health need requiring a qualified practitioner,
- - how to lead and motivate people and work effectively in teams,
- - of the needs of small volunteer-led community groups and ability to support their development.
Desirable
- Awareness of:
- - safeguarding procedures for children and adults,
- - governance and confidentiality and General Data Protection Regulations,
- - how to work collaboratively with partner organisations.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of:
- - the personalised care approach,
- - the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities,
- - IT Systems, including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports,
- - and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.
Desirable
- Knowledge of:
- - VCSE and community services in the locality,
- - community development approaches.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Applicants should be:
- - be caring, compassionate and tolerant,
- - able to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues,
- - able to work flexibly and enthusiastically within a team or on own initiative,
- - committed to collaborative working with all local agencies (including VCSE organisations and community groups),
- - able to work with others to reduce hierarchies and find creative solutions to community issues,
- - able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity,
- - able to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way,
- - committed to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.
- Applicants should demonstrate:
- - personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure,
- - commitment to professional and personal development.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.