Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Meadow House Hospice, for an enthusiastic individual to provide benefit advice and information 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 be expected to provide 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, in informing them of their rights and the range of choices available to them.
Main duties of the job
To liaise with a range of external statutory, third sector and independent organisations in relation to current legislation and practice
To act as an information resource facility for benefits and practical support and to encourage uptake where appropriate
To advise other professionals of appropriate benefit entitlements for their clients and how to guide them through the relevant systems and processes
To support patients and carers in expressing views and making choice about their care, providing a service which reflects and responds to the needs and aspirations of people of different cultures, ages, and backgrounds
About us
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.
Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.
We run major acute services at:
- Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country's top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
- St Mark's Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
- Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
- Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.
We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To view the main responsibility, please see the attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Education/ qualifications
Essential
- 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 in a professional capacity
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- An understanding of Health & Social Care services and the systems for accessing them
- Up to date knowledge of welfare and benefits system
- Flexible approach and ability to prioritise and work independently and on own initiative
- Have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to manage administrative requirements of the post
- Be able to produce statistical information for monitoring and evaluation
Skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team
- Time management/organisational skills
- Ability to use basic computing packages, e.g. MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
- Be able to communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, families and carers
- To build and foster good working relationships with colleague and other professionals
Person Specification
Education/ qualifications
Essential
- 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 in a professional capacity
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- An understanding of Health & Social Care services and the systems for accessing them
- Up to date knowledge of welfare and benefits system
- Flexible approach and ability to prioritise and work independently and on own initiative
- Have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability to manage administrative requirements of the post
- Be able to produce statistical information for monitoring and evaluation
Skills, abilities and attributes
Essential
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team
- Time management/organisational skills
- Ability to use basic computing packages, e.g. MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
- Be able to communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, families and carers
- To build and foster good working relationships with colleague and other professionals
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
