Social Prescribing Link Worker, Pulmonary Rehab
NHS AfC: Band 5
Main area: Prescribing
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract: 12 months (Fixed term)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 196-LIS9195
Employer: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: St Thomas Hospital
Town: London
Salary: £35,964 - £43,780 per annum inc. H.C.A
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 26/01/2025 23:59
Job overview
Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is the NICE-recommended, gold standard treatment for patients with breathlessness as a result of a long-term condition, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Asthma, Bronchiectasis and some cancers. PR is offered across South East London, with patients being referred into the service from respective secondary care clinical teams in the 6 boroughs. However, despite its status as an evidence-based successful system which improves both physical and mental health outcomes for patients with chronic breathlessness, uptake and completion of PR is not as good as it could be, leaving patients struggling with their condition and experiencing poor health outcomes.
This is an exciting role for an experienced Social Prescribing Link Worker to work with the GSTT Pulmonary Rehab and Respiratory teams to provide personalised support to individuals identified as having high levels of social need.
Main duties of the job
A key part of the role will be developing relationships with each patient and spending time to understand what matters to them, then supporting the process of connecting people to community groups and statutory services for ongoing practical and emotional support.
This role will be patient-facing; both in secondary care setting and out in the community, proactively supporting a cohort of people to develop/input into a holistic package of care working with existing multidisciplinary teams. You will ensure referrals are followed-up and the outcome is reported back; helping to improve communication and liaison between general practice and other organisations as well as realise impact and outcomes.
Recognising that this is a pilot role, you will work with the Pulmonary Rehab and Respiratory team in an MDT-type model to develop structures and processes shaping the new Link Worker role within the team. Furthermore, you will provide updates and formal reports to both the host organisation (GSTT) and IHL Southwark, including data and progress updates, and sharing insights into how the clinical team could better support and care for its population.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
* Educated to minimum of NVQ Level 3, advanced Level or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
* Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development of themselves and colleagues.
* Training in motivational coaching and interviewing, or equivalent experience.
Experience
* At least 2 years’ experience of providing one to one support to vulnerable people, including those with physical and mental health issues (including unpaid work).
* Knowledge and/or experience of working with a variety of social issues, e.g., housing, benefits, carers, etc.
* Experience of leading and developing service improvements with complex scope and tight timescales with minimal guidance.
* Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
Personal Qualities and Attributes
* Organised and able to manage conflicting priorities.
* Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgmental way.
* Commitment to collaborative working with all stakeholders (including VCS organisations and community groups).
* Demonstrates personal accountability, emotional resilience and works well under pressure.
Skills and Knowledge
* Ability to work well in a team – working with a variety of different service providers across the neighbourhood to contribute to social prescribing goals – support and coaching other volunteers/navigators.
* Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
* Knowledge of VCS and community services in the locality.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitably according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studies at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking into account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the onboarding process.
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