TB Outreach Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Provide support for those with TB disease to enable successful completion of treatment.

Observe patients who have been identified as requiring DOT, self-dispense and swallow their TB medication.

Ensure the patient is observed taking their medication in accordance with the agreed network protocol.

Safe transportation and storage of medication, in accordance with the agreed network protocol.

Provide support and encouragement to patients receiving DOT ensuring on-going adherence and completion of treatment and reporting any concerns in a timely manner to the case manager.

Ensure accurate and up to date recording of all outcomes of visits to patients and informing case manager of any missed medication in a timely manner and in line with agreed protocols.

Establish a therapeutic rapport with patients being aware of any side effects or changes in health status the patient may be experiencing in relation to their medication and reporting immediately to the TB case manager.

Report immediately any untoward incidents and any other relevant information to TB case manager.

Report any change in social/lifestyle circumstances i.e. increased alcohol intake, eviction notice, which may affect ability to adhere to TB case manager.

Undertake follow-up lone worker home visit risk assessments as per network protocol, informing relevant parties of the outcome.

Ensure a courteous and helpful approach to patients and their relatives/carers in the community, adopting a sensitive approach whilst in patients home environment.

Work with a difficult and sometimes challenging client group

Participate in or contribute to other activities such as observing clinic DOT, escorting patients to appointments, locating and encouraging patients to return to service, gathering information, community phlebotomy, basic administrative tasks, or any other activity requested by the clinical team and deemed within the expectations of the role.

Deputise in the absence of the community outreach coordinator.

Promoting health and preventing ill health

Assist in the delivery of public TB awareness campaigns.

Challenge prejudice and stigma associated with TB

Partnership working

Attend and contribute to meetings, forums and case conferences, as appropriate, i.e. case review and cohort review.

Be flexible in the delivery of the role across the network.

Undertake other developing TB service roles that fall within the skills and competence.

Professional practice

The post holder will identify their own training needs with their line manager through reflection and appraisal.

Maintain and update personal knowledge of TB and associated health issues.

Assist in induction of new outreach workers.

Identify and participate in clinical supervision.

Audit

Ensure timely and accurate data collection as required.

Maintain patient records, both written and electronic.

Participate in TB audit alongside the clinical team.

Participate in cohort review.

Management of resources

Be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment.

Assist with the distribution of patient information.

Research and Development

Participates in patient experience surveys

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE levels A to C in English and Maths or equivalent
• Evidence of further study in a relevant area

Whittington Health Core Values

Essential

• Demonstrates ability to meet core values: Innovation, compassion, accountability, respect, excellence

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Good standard of literacy - able to write clear reports
• Basic I.T skills, including word processing, excel and use of internet
• Good communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Enthusiastic.
• Ability to use initiative and to recognise own limitations.
• Well motivated

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable voluntary/work experience in a health or social care environment
• Experience of face-to-face contact with the public
• Ability to manage own time and demonstrate high quality organisational skills.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Be able to work within a team
• oBe confident working with patients who may be homeless, have drug and alcohol dependencies, prison history, mental health conditions etc

Other

Essential

• Comfortable travelling and using public transport
• Ability to manage moderate to high level of physical effort daily

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Whittington Hospital

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)