Social Prescribing link worker

Well Up North

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Social Prescribing Link Worker will assist in the support of those with long term health conditions and their carers to access timely care and community support services. Close work with GPs and the primary care network is required, as is accurate record keeping and using IT systems. Through timely intervention and care co-ordination, unnecessary hospital admissions, GP appointments and residential placements will be reduced.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will come from an information/advice, social care or health background, must be computer literate, an excellent communicator and able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Experience of person-centered care and of working with volunteers is desirable. It is important that a candidate promotes a culture that values, protects and uses information for the success of the organisation and benefit of its clients/patients. The ability to work confidently and effectively in a diverse, and sometimes challenging environment is essential.

About us

Well Up North primary Care Network comprises of 12 practices spread over a large geographical area from Berwick on the North to Morpeth in the south.

We have a well established social prescribing link worker team which we are looking to expand.

Date posted

30 July 2020

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,125 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A1725-20-1364

Job locations

Well Close Square

Berwick-upon-tweed

TD15 1LL


Morpeth NHS Centre

Morpeth

NE61 1JY


Grange Road

Widdrington

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 5LX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Social prescribing enables all primary care staff and local agencies to refer people to a link worker and supports self-referral. Working under supervision of a GP, link workers give people time and focus on what matters to the person, as identified through shared decision making or personalised care and support planning. They will manage and prioritise their own caseload in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their local population, and where required discuss and/or refer people back to other health professionals and GPs in the PCN. They also connect people to local community groups and agencies for practical and emotional support. Link workers work within multi-disciplinary teams and collaborate with local partners to support community groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new groups and activities.

Social prescribing can support a wide range of people, including (but not exclusively) people:

with one or more long term conditions

who need support with their mental health

who are lonely or isolated

who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

There is emerging evidence that social prescribing can lead to a range of positive health and wellbeing outcomes for people, such as improved quality of life and emotional wellbeing.Whilst there is a need for more robust and systematic evidence on the effectiveness of social prescribing, social prescribing schemes may lead to a reduction in the use of NHS services, including GP attendance. 59% of GPs think social prescribing can help reduce their workload.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Social prescribing enables all primary care staff and local agencies to refer people to a link worker and supports self-referral. Working under supervision of a GP, link workers give people time and focus on what matters to the person, as identified through shared decision making or personalised care and support planning. They will manage and prioritise their own caseload in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of their local population, and where required discuss and/or refer people back to other health professionals and GPs in the PCN. They also connect people to local community groups and agencies for practical and emotional support. Link workers work within multi-disciplinary teams and collaborate with local partners to support community groups to be accessible and sustainable and help people to start new groups and activities.

Social prescribing can support a wide range of people, including (but not exclusively) people:

with one or more long term conditions

who need support with their mental health

who are lonely or isolated

who have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing.

There is emerging evidence that social prescribing can lead to a range of positive health and wellbeing outcomes for people, such as improved quality of life and emotional wellbeing.Whilst there is a need for more robust and systematic evidence on the effectiveness of social prescribing, social prescribing schemes may lead to a reduction in the use of NHS services, including GP attendance. 59% of GPs think social prescribing can help reduce their workload.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
  • Computer literate
  • good interpersonal skills
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
  • Computer literate
  • good interpersonal skills

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Well Up North

Address

Well Close Square

Berwick-upon-tweed

TD15 1LL


Employer's website

http://wellclosemedicalgroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Well Up North

Address

Well Close Square

Berwick-upon-tweed

TD15 1LL


Employer's website

http://wellclosemedicalgroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

PCN Management lead

Hilary Brown

hilarybrown1@nhs.net

Date posted

30 July 2020

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,125 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

A1725-20-1364

Job locations

Well Close Square

Berwick-upon-tweed

TD15 1LL


Morpeth NHS Centre

Morpeth

NE61 1JY


Grange Road

Widdrington

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 5LX


Supporting documents

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