Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Diabetes Lay Educator to join Whittington Health Adult Community Services.
The postholder will play a key role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based DESMOND structured education for adults with Type 2 diabetes, helping people build the skills and confidence to self-manage their condition.
Main duties of the job
You will organise and facilitate DESMOND sessions twice weekly, prepare session materials, follow up with non-attenders, and complete all associated data entry, evaluation and audit reporting on the DESMOND database.
Alongside group education, you will provide one-to-one follow-up consultations by telephone, support concurrent clinics with the Diabetes Specialist Nurses, and contribute to patient pathway coordination across the Long-Term Conditions service. Weekly activities include reviewing referrals, supporting clinic administration, updating patient records, contributing to audit and KPI reporting, and participating in team meetings. You will also help raise awareness of diabetes across Haringey and Islington, initiating contact with local community groups and supporting health promotion activities.
This is a dynamic, forward-thinking service that values innovation, shared learning and evidence-based practice. You will work closely with specialist diabetes practitioners and the wider MDT, gaining experience across community diabetes pathways. The role requires excellent communication skills, strong organisation, and the ability to work independently while managing a varied caseload. We offer excellent training and development opportunities, with support from an experienced Long-Term Conditions team. The post is based across Haringey and Islington, with travel to community sites as required.
About us
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties:
Work under the supervision of Diabetes Specialist practitioners to delivery service for adult community services across Haringey and Islington.Coordinate and organise patient appointments, including one-to-one consultations and group education sessions (virtual and face-to-face).Support and facilitate structured diabetes education programmes such as DESMOND, helping to deliver group sessions for patients with Type 2 diabetes and their careers. Training as a DESMOND Lay Educator will be provided if required.Run concurrent clinics alongside the Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN), supporting clinic flow, patient education and reinforcement of agreed care plans.Manage and prioritise a delegated patient caseload under the supervision of clinicians, providing practical support and feedback to the multidisciplinary diabetes team regarding patient progress.Reinforce agreed care plans with patients and carers, including dietary and lifestyle advice, supporting patients to self-manage their diabetes and maintain independence.Promote healthy eating and diabetes self-management in line with national guidance and local public health priorities.Work independently in community settings, including patient homes, while maintaining regular communication with the diabetes team.Record patient information accurately and maintain up-to-date electronic patient records using Trust systems such as Rio.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties:
Work under the supervision of Diabetes Specialist practitioners to delivery service for adult community services across Haringey and Islington.Coordinate and organise patient appointments, including one-to-one consultations and group education sessions (virtual and face-to-face).Support and facilitate structured diabetes education programmes such as DESMOND, helping to deliver group sessions for patients with Type 2 diabetes and their careers. Training as a DESMOND Lay Educator will be provided if required.Run concurrent clinics alongside the Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN), supporting clinic flow, patient education and reinforcement of agreed care plans.Manage and prioritise a delegated patient caseload under the supervision of clinicians, providing practical support and feedback to the multidisciplinary diabetes team regarding patient progress.Reinforce agreed care plans with patients and carers, including dietary and lifestyle advice, supporting patients to self-manage their diabetes and maintain independence.Promote healthy eating and diabetes self-management in line with national guidance and local public health priorities.Work independently in community settings, including patient homes, while maintaining regular communication with the diabetes team.Record patient information accurately and maintain up-to-date electronic patient records using Trust systems such as Rio.
Person Specification
General Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Education to GCSE level or equivalent
- Willingness to complete Diabetes Structured Education training appropriate to the role
Desirable
- Administrative skills/experience
Professional Qualification and Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of working in an office environment.
- Experience of working with diabetes or Long Term Conditions Service.
- Experience of working in a clinical environment
Desirable
- Experience in running educational sessions for the community
- Experience of working as an Assistant Practitioner
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills - able to deal with complex, sensitive issues on a one-to-one basis, in group settings and via interpreters
- Ability to work own initiative and in a team
- Time management skills
- Organisation skills and flexible approach
- Knowledge of administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures acquired through on-the-job training.
- Demonstrates interest in Diabetes
Desirable
- Awareness of local needs e.g., ethnic minority
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Enthusiasm to work in clinical setting and with patient groups
- Able to take responsibility under guidance
- Able to prioritise and manage busy workload
- Demonstrates ability to work as a team member
- Demonstrate proactive with CPD
- Able to use initiative
Effort and Environment
Essential
- Using anthropometric equipment, such as weighing scales and stadiometer
- Able to carry equipment (e.g., weighing scales) within the boroughs whilst travelling to and from patient homes
- To deal sensitively with clients that may be suffering from conditions that may lead to anxiety, fear, or aggressive behaviour
- To work in an environment where work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from clinical staff, assistants, and administrative staff
Other Requirements
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Flexible in working across sites
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
Person Specification
General Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Education to GCSE level or equivalent
- Willingness to complete Diabetes Structured Education training appropriate to the role
Desirable
- Administrative skills/experience
Professional Qualification and Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of working in an office environment.
- Experience of working with diabetes or Long Term Conditions Service.
- Experience of working in a clinical environment
Desirable
- Experience in running educational sessions for the community
- Experience of working as an Assistant Practitioner
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills - able to deal with complex, sensitive issues on a one-to-one basis, in group settings and via interpreters
- Ability to work own initiative and in a team
- Time management skills
- Organisation skills and flexible approach
- Knowledge of administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures acquired through on-the-job training.
- Demonstrates interest in Diabetes
Desirable
- Awareness of local needs e.g., ethnic minority
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Enthusiasm to work in clinical setting and with patient groups
- Able to take responsibility under guidance
- Able to prioritise and manage busy workload
- Demonstrates ability to work as a team member
- Demonstrate proactive with CPD
- Able to use initiative
Effort and Environment
Essential
- Using anthropometric equipment, such as weighing scales and stadiometer
- Able to carry equipment (e.g., weighing scales) within the boroughs whilst travelling to and from patient homes
- To deal sensitively with clients that may be suffering from conditions that may lead to anxiety, fear, or aggressive behaviour
- To work in an environment where work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from clinical staff, assistants, and administrative staff
Other Requirements
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Flexible in working across sites
- European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
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.
