Job summary
The Armed Forces Healthcare Team help members of the local armed forces community access the right NHS healthcare provision by supporting them whilst they are in hospital or using trust services and ensuring they are referred to appropriate Armed Forces support and/or other health and social care organisations to address any outstanding health and social needs in line with the Armed Forces Covenant.
The 'Healthcare Navigator' is primarily a patient facing role dealing with service user referrals and requests for additional support from trust staff, service users themselves and third party organisations. This includes working with service users and their families to establish what their needs are and signposting or referring them on to appropriate services for additional support. In addition, the navigator will support the Armed Forces Healthcare Lead to ensure the trust is Armed Forces Aware and meets its legal obligations under the Armed Forces Covenant. They will also provide support to ensure that the trust remains compliant with its pledges to the Veteran Awareness programme, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and Step into Health, in addition to ensuring the trust's Armed Forces - Forces Friendly Policy is adhered to and supported. The post holder will be required to travel to sites across the trust.
Main duties of the job
- Identify and address the health, social care and wellbeing needs of members of the Armed Forces (AF) Community accessing trust services. Inpatient visits to wards will be required to be undertaken.
- Effectively and efficiently deal with referrals for navigation and welfare support, ensuring that they are fully documented, and the welfare needs of service users, their families and other beneficiaries are fully understood.
- Provide basic telephone advice and refer on or signpost to other sources of support for service users requiring contact outside of inpatient services.
- Make connections with key stakeholders to actively seek AF support projects and create signposting pathways to their services.
- To ensure high quality, sensitive, emotional, and practical support is received by relatives of seriously ill veteran patients and to those who are bereaved.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of developments with Armed Forces support locally and nationally
- Support the AF Healthcare Lead to deliver the Armed Forces Awareness and any other relevant Armed Forces training.
- Gather and collate reports on the volume of Armed Forces Community service users accessing care and support being given to support the AF Lead with strategic reporting.
- To ensure AF service users and their families are safeguarded when appropriate.
- Support the maintenance of the Armed Forces Intranet pages.
- Support the AF Lead to guide the Armed Forces Champions in their role.
About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
On-Call
Please note that senior positions (AFC band 8A or above) may be expected to participate in an on-call rota, if the role is predominantly operational.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To deliver high quality support to Armed Forces Community service users who are identified as having unmet health and/or social needs.
- To support the trust to meet its legal requirements under the Armed Forces Covenant.
- To meet the re-accreditation standards for the Veteran Awareness Programme, the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme and Step into Health within the organisation
- Gain knowledge of local and national support organisations both statutory and within the 3rd sector to refer users
- To identify gaps in service provision and promoting the needs of Armed Forces support services.
- Support development of appropriate training materials, reference materials, certificates, handouts and promotional materials
- To support recruitment and training of Armed Forces Support volunteers under the direction of the Volunteers Manager
- Highlighting any risks to service delivery at the earliest opportunity and through collaborative working with AF Lead, ensuring that risks are mitigated to patients and issues are rectified promptly if they occur.
- Gain and monitor feedback on the effectiveness of the Armed Forces Healthcare service from patients and their families.
- Quickly recognising safeguarding issues with any concerns regarding children or vulnerable adults being reported to the appropriate agencies in a timely fashion.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of developments with Armed Forces support locally and nationally
- Be required to transport equipment and training resources when necessary to all sites within the trust as part of their duties.
- Be responsible for planning and managing own day-to-day activities
- Keeping accurate records, and providing data and reports within agreed timescales to the AF Lead
- Coordinate and disseminate resources including leaflets, programme material and education resources.
- Support the AF Lead to produce regular reports identifying performance against project/programme briefings
- Liaise with all relevant internal teams, wards and departments to promote awareness and delivery of the Armed Forces Healthcare Programme.
- Take part in relevant Armed Forces meetings, delivering progress updates and preparing the relevant information for prior circulation.
- Supporting Armed Forces Community Service users who access trust services.
- Liaise closely with staff and where appropriate Ward/Department Leaders to ensure the AF Healthcare Service is being effectively provided.
- Represent the trust at Armed Forces events at local, regional, and national level as required.
- Liaise with all relevant internal teams and departments as appropriate to promote awareness and delivery of the Armed Forces programme.
- Establish and maintain networks of contacts with organisations and groups to help veterans access a wide range of services, support and social networks
- Produce excellent written and verbal reports in a timely fashion as required by the AF Lead
- Contribute to the on-going development of the AF Awareness Programme by putting forward end user views on opportunities for enhancement and change.
- The post holder will assist and respond to enquiries from members of the public/external organisations in relation to the Armed Forces Healthcare Programme.
- The post holder may experience exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances and will be supported by the AF Lead in such situations.
- Use departmental resources in a cost effective manner
- Anticipate potential financial challenges to the project and report this to the AF Lead
- Provide support and training for new volunteers
- Comply with Trust policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct and to ensure there is a clear awareness of how reporting procedures are managed and implemented within their own area of work / responsibility
- To participate in own appraisal and develop a personal development plan in order to maintain and achieve sustained progression in the role.
- Required to manage and prioritise their own work load working independently and using own initiative
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To deliver high quality support to Armed Forces Community service users who are identified as having unmet health and/or social needs.
- To support the trust to meet its legal requirements under the Armed Forces Covenant.
- To meet the re-accreditation standards for the Veteran Awareness Programme, the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme and Step into Health within the organisation
- Gain knowledge of local and national support organisations both statutory and within the 3rd sector to refer users
- To identify gaps in service provision and promoting the needs of Armed Forces support services.
- Support development of appropriate training materials, reference materials, certificates, handouts and promotional materials
- To support recruitment and training of Armed Forces Support volunteers under the direction of the Volunteers Manager
- Highlighting any risks to service delivery at the earliest opportunity and through collaborative working with AF Lead, ensuring that risks are mitigated to patients and issues are rectified promptly if they occur.
- Gain and monitor feedback on the effectiveness of the Armed Forces Healthcare service from patients and their families.
- Quickly recognising safeguarding issues with any concerns regarding children or vulnerable adults being reported to the appropriate agencies in a timely fashion.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of developments with Armed Forces support locally and nationally
- Be required to transport equipment and training resources when necessary to all sites within the trust as part of their duties.
- Be responsible for planning and managing own day-to-day activities
- Keeping accurate records, and providing data and reports within agreed timescales to the AF Lead
- Coordinate and disseminate resources including leaflets, programme material and education resources.
- Support the AF Lead to produce regular reports identifying performance against project/programme briefings
- Liaise with all relevant internal teams, wards and departments to promote awareness and delivery of the Armed Forces Healthcare Programme.
- Take part in relevant Armed Forces meetings, delivering progress updates and preparing the relevant information for prior circulation.
- Supporting Armed Forces Community Service users who access trust services.
- Liaise closely with staff and where appropriate Ward/Department Leaders to ensure the AF Healthcare Service is being effectively provided.
- Represent the trust at Armed Forces events at local, regional, and national level as required.
- Liaise with all relevant internal teams and departments as appropriate to promote awareness and delivery of the Armed Forces programme.
- Establish and maintain networks of contacts with organisations and groups to help veterans access a wide range of services, support and social networks
- Produce excellent written and verbal reports in a timely fashion as required by the AF Lead
- Contribute to the on-going development of the AF Awareness Programme by putting forward end user views on opportunities for enhancement and change.
- The post holder will assist and respond to enquiries from members of the public/external organisations in relation to the Armed Forces Healthcare Programme.
- The post holder may experience exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances and will be supported by the AF Lead in such situations.
- Use departmental resources in a cost effective manner
- Anticipate potential financial challenges to the project and report this to the AF Lead
- Provide support and training for new volunteers
- Comply with Trust policies and procedures including the Code of Conduct and to ensure there is a clear awareness of how reporting procedures are managed and implemented within their own area of work / responsibility
- To participate in own appraisal and develop a personal development plan in order to maintain and achieve sustained progression in the role.
- Required to manage and prioritise their own work load working independently and using own initiative
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths/English at C or above or equivalent
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD undertaken within the last 12 months
Desirable
- Experience of working with the Armed Forces Community
- Evidence of undertaking Armed Forces Awareness training or e-learning
Experience
Essential
- Working within a healthcare setting in a patient facing role and experience of working on service user and carer focused initiatives
- Ability to build good working relationships with a variety of clinical and non-clinical staff
- Proven track record of supporting development of services.
- Experience of using clinical systems and inputting/extracting data and experience of using Microsoft software packages
Desirable
- Experience of supporting change management and the introduction of new ways of working in a large organisation including quality improvement
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and to work with a wide range of people to deliver results
- Ability to produce and present reports to management level
- Excellent planning skills and the ability to react in a timely way to changes in priorities
- Ability and experience of working autonomously and to work collaboratively as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of monitoring and reporting on standards of service and performance
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of services available to the Armed Forces Community (e.g., through the MOD, health service, social services, voluntary sector) and the issues affecting them
- Knowledge of Safeguarding adults and children
- Understanding of person-centred care
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the unique challenges faced by the Armed Forces Community
Additional
Essential
- Understand that there will be some exposure to distressing and emotional situations and know when to seek appropriate support/advice
- Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support/advice
- Willingness to undertake training and continued development
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE Maths/English at C or above or equivalent
- NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD undertaken within the last 12 months
Desirable
- Experience of working with the Armed Forces Community
- Evidence of undertaking Armed Forces Awareness training or e-learning
Experience
Essential
- Working within a healthcare setting in a patient facing role and experience of working on service user and carer focused initiatives
- Ability to build good working relationships with a variety of clinical and non-clinical staff
- Proven track record of supporting development of services.
- Experience of using clinical systems and inputting/extracting data and experience of using Microsoft software packages
Desirable
- Experience of supporting change management and the introduction of new ways of working in a large organisation including quality improvement
Skills
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and to work with a wide range of people to deliver results
- Ability to produce and present reports to management level
- Excellent planning skills and the ability to react in a timely way to changes in priorities
- Ability and experience of working autonomously and to work collaboratively as part of a team
Desirable
- Experience of monitoring and reporting on standards of service and performance
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of services available to the Armed Forces Community (e.g., through the MOD, health service, social services, voluntary sector) and the issues affecting them
- Knowledge of Safeguarding adults and children
- Understanding of person-centred care
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of the unique challenges faced by the Armed Forces Community
Additional
Essential
- Understand that there will be some exposure to distressing and emotional situations and know when to seek appropriate support/advice
- Demonstrate an awareness of the limits of own practice and knowledge and when to seek appropriate support/advice
- Willingness to undertake training and continued 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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
Wigan Lane
Wigan
WN1 2NN
Employer's website
http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
