Job summary
GPA are the only primary care provider that connects GPs and patients in the Northampton area in a time when medical transformation is inevitable and demands fresh thinking.
Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through referral to non-medical link workers, who support them to identify 'what matters to me'. They take a holistic approach to support and empower people to connect with community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
We are excited to be recruiting for a part time Social Prescribing Link Worker to work 20 hours per week based across the Grand Union Primary Care Network in Northampton.
Main duties of the job
As a Social Prescribing Link Worker, you will work autonomously and collaboratively with other GPA providers and all local partners, strengthening community resilience and personal resilience to reduce health inequalities and address the wider determinants of health.
We are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic, self-motivated, empathetic, and strong communicators who are good at problem solving to join our team. You will be part of a growing team, with supportive and friendly social prescribers and practice teams.
Please see full Job Description in the supporting documents section for further details.
For an informal discussion regarding the role please email karen.adam@nhs.net to arrange a convenient time to speak.
Please note that we reserve the right to close early if we receive a large volume of applicants.
Interview Date: Thursday 23rd February 2023
About us
GPA is a medium sized organisation, and rapidly expanding GP Federation based in Northampton, leading the transformation of equitable healthcare across the town and beyond. The membership is a collective of 21 GP practices and covers a patient population of approximately 210,000.
Website: https://northantsgpalliance.com/
In return for your fantastic people skills and hard work ethic, we offer a unique set of rewards and benefits:
- NHS Pension
- Employee Discount Schemes - You will have access to a range of exclusive benefits such as the Blue Light Card which provides members with access to over 15,000 discounts online and on the high street!
- Wellbeing Offer including and Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing portal, Feeling Good app.
- Discounted Trilogy Supergold gym membership package.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full Job Description please see supporting documents.
Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility
Take referrals from and make referrals to a wide range of agencies within primary care networks, building proactive team links within the wider PCN team.
Meet people on a one-to-one basis, within an identified work environment or public area where appropriate within organisations policies and procedures.
Giving people time to talk and focus on What matters to me. Taking a holistic approach based on the persons priorities and the wider determinants of health developing trusting relationships.
Co-produce personalised support and action plans with individuals, their families, and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes, including what they can expect from the groups, activities, and services they are being connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing.
Empowering people to take control of their own health and wellbeing and regain their independence based on their priorities, interests, values & motivations, using a strength and assets-based approach.
Enable people to achieve their goals by supporting them to develop and work towards Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time appropriate steps and recognise achievements.
Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.
Manage own Data capture and updating of relevant systems in a timely manner in line with GDPR regulations.
Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies.
Develop 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a full Job Description please see supporting documents.
Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility
Take referrals from and make referrals to a wide range of agencies within primary care networks, building proactive team links within the wider PCN team.
Meet people on a one-to-one basis, within an identified work environment or public area where appropriate within organisations policies and procedures.
Giving people time to talk and focus on What matters to me. Taking a holistic approach based on the persons priorities and the wider determinants of health developing trusting relationships.
Co-produce personalised support and action plans with individuals, their families, and carers to take control of their wellbeing, live independently and improve their health outcomes, including what they can expect from the groups, activities, and services they are being connected to and what the person can do for themselves to improve their health and wellbeing.
Empowering people to take control of their own health and wellbeing and regain their independence based on their priorities, interests, values & motivations, using a strength and assets-based approach.
Enable people to achieve their goals by supporting them to develop and work towards Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time appropriate steps and recognise achievements.
Be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies to raise awareness of social prescribing and how partnership working can reduce pressure on statutory services, improve health outcomes and enable a holistic approach to care.
Manage own Data capture and updating of relevant systems in a timely manner in line with GDPR regulations.
Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing on referral agencies.
Develop 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.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way.
- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential.
- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet.
- High level of written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure.
- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work).
- Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work).
- Experience of working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.
- Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services.
- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
Job Circumstances
Essential
- Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
Desirable
- Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way.
- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential.
- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet.
- High level of written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure.
- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
Desirable
- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work).
- Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work).
- Experience of working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (in a paid or unpaid capacity), including with volunteers and small community groups.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.
- Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services.
- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
Job Circumstances
Essential
- Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own home
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
Desirable
- Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
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.
