Bedford Borough Council

Public Health Officer (Health Protection)

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with some experience in Health Protection who is keen to contribute to improving health of large and diverse populations across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Councils.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is expected to provide specialist public health skills in order to protect the health of the public with a specific focus on prevention of communicable diseases and environmental hazards. The post holder will also contribute to reductions in inequalities in health.

About us

Annual leave is based on the length of your continuous service in Local Government. The basic entitlement is 27 days rising to 32 days after 5 years service (pro-rata for part-time employees and exclusive of bank holidays.

Season Ticket Rail Loan Scheme enabling employees to apply for an interest free loan from the Council to buy an annual rail season ticket for their journey to work. The scheme is valid for all rail operators and 50% discount applies to East Midlands and ThameslinkHealth Cash Plan offering significantly discounted premiums and designed to provide cash back on healthcare costs such as optical, dental, physiotherapy and more. An extensive rewards scheme is also included that gives members access to a range of discounts from various retailers.

Visit www.westfieldhealth.com/advantage-portal for more information.

Cycle to Work Scheme is a Government backed scheme which allows employees to claim a voucher to buy a new bike to cycle to work. The cost of the bike can then be paid back with tax free deductions from their salary. Visit www.cyclescheme.co.uk to find out more.

Staff Car Parking Scheme offering discounted parking whilst at work

Date posted

11 July 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,261 a year Pay award pending

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

F0073-23-0001

Job locations

Borough Hall

Cauldwell Street

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK42 9AP

Job description

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the strategic development and implementation of specialist public health programmes of work that will lead to improvements in health outcomes and reductions in inequalities in health in key assigned topic areas across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Councils.

The post holder is expected to provide specialist public health skills in order to protect the health of the public with a specific focus different communicable diseases.

In order to contribute to efforts to improve health and wellbeing, and reduce health inequalities the post holder will:

Provide specialist advice and leadership in health protection, including the prevention, investigation and control of communicable diseases;

Measure, monitor and report population health and wellbeing; health needs, risks and inequalities.

To work with and through policies and strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities, particularly in the area of Health Protection.

Maintain effective working relationships at a senior level with partnership organisations, including Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Health Board (ICB), NHS England and UKHSA, to ensure cohesive and effective commissioning and provision of services pertaining to health protection.

Monitor the local epidemiology of communicable diseases and uptake of screening and immunisation programmes and provide local oversight of screening and immunisation programmes.

The post holder will be expected to work independently and is professionally accountable to the Senior Officer Health Protection.

The post holder will be expected to undertake health needs assessments, evidence reviews, health impact assessments and health equity audits with minimal supervision.

To communicate with others to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities

To design and manage programmes and projects to protect the populations health

Access and appraise evidence gained through systematic methods and through engagement with the wider research community; critique published and unpublished research, synthesise the evidence and draw appropriate conclusions

Write and contribute to reports which make evidence-based recommendations to improve health & wellbeing, care & quality and achieve best value, and to reduce health inequalities.

Develop links with public health and healthcare networks, academic centres and Public Health England to ensure that regional and national guidance, evidence and strategic priorities are reflected in local plans where appropriate.

Prioritise a complex and demanding workload, meeting tight deadlines.

DECISIONS MADE:

The post holder will be expected to work with minimal supervision and is professionally accountable to Senior Officer Health Protection. They will have devolved responsibility for specified areas of work.

They will be expected to adapt to change, manage uncertainty, solve problems and align clear goals with lines of accountability in complex and unpredictable environments.

Key decisions on a daily basis regarding prioritisation and management of personal work load.

Exercising critical judgement in making decisions regarding analysis / data collection/ preparation of reports and in management of projects, whilst applying guidance, policies and procedures, considering the range of options available and determining the most satisfactory course of action.

CONTACTS:

The post holder will develop and maintain a wide range of relationships, including:

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICB

Regional and national leads for specific work areas e.g. within UKHSA, academic centres, NHS England

Clinical leads within the wider health economy e.g. primary and secondary care consultants and managers

Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes Council colleagues

Healthwatch Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes

Community Pharmacists

Community and voluntary sector organisations

The post holder has an impact on budget and will assist with and have input into procurement procedures within the non-pay budget for Health Protection.