London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Meadow House Hospice, for an enthusiastic individual to provide advocacy support for our staff, patients and their families. The role will involve close liaison with service users to explore their social needs and how we can ensure that they have equitable access and support in accessing benefits, as well as signposting them to relevant community support services.
The successful candidate will provide advocacy, involving support, information, and representation, to patients and relatives involved with specialist palliative care services in the London Boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.
A significant element of the role will be working with hard to reach groups to ensure that their needs are identified and addressed. You will need good communication and negotiation skills in advocating for patients and families, informing them of their rights and the range of choices available to them.
Main duties of the job
1. To liaise with a range of external statutory, third sector and independent organisations in relation to current legislation and practice.
2. To act as an information resource facility for benefits and practical support and to encourage uptake where appropriate.
3. To advise other professionals of appropriate benefit entitlements for their clients and how to guide them through the relevant systems and processes.
4. To support patients and carers in expressing views and making choices about their care, providing a service that reflects and responds to the needs and aspirations of people of different cultures, ages, and backgrounds.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Educated to A Level / NVQ3 / National advocacy Level 3 Core Module or equivalent health qualification.
* Extensive experience of giving welfare benefits advice and information to individuals.
* Experience of acting as a patient advocate within health care.
Knowledge and Experience
* An understanding of Health & Social Care services and the systems for accessing them.
* Up to date knowledge of the welfare and benefits system.
* Flexible approach and ability to prioritise and work independently and on own initiative.
* Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and ability to work under pressure.
* Ability to manage administrative requirements.
* Ability to produce statistical information for monitoring and evaluation.
Skills, abilities and attributes
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Time management/organisational skills and ability to work under pressure.
* Ability to use basic computing packages, e.g. MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
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.
Salary: £31,081 to £33,665 per annum including HCAS.
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