Job summary
Ways to Wellness are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated link
worker to join our team for a pilot project supporting people with persistent physical
symptoms.
Providing personalised, practical support to individuals will enable
them to make decisions that will improve their health and wellbeing outcomes.
The project will provide an essential link between
the health and social care needs of patients, and community assets that can
improve their wellbeing. Support is designed to be flexible, to provide
continuity and embed healthy behaviours.
Link workers provide non-medical support that focuses on what matters to me and take a holistic approach to an
individuals health and wellbeing, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical
and emotional support.
The Persistent Physical Symptoms project is a new piece of work, jointly
funded by the North East and North Cumbria Deep End Network, and Ways to
Wellness, and will be delivered in partnership with several GP surgeries in the
east end of Newcastle upon Tyne. It will support
people with a diagnosis of persistent physical symptoms including (but not
limited to) chronic pain, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and
non-epileptic seizures.
This is a unique project, that is breaking new ground in exploring how
social prescribing can support people with persistent physical symptoms.
There are 2 full time jobs available.
Main duties of the job
Specialist Link
Workers manage and prioritise their own caseload, in accordance
with the needs of individuals. They must have a strong awareness and understanding of
when it is appropriate to refer people back to health care
professionals.
This project will support patients
in the east end of Newcastle, and liaise with a variety of partners,
community and voluntary organisations across this area. Candidates will have excellent communication
skills and local knowledge.
Main Duties include:
Working
as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop person-centred, community based,
personalised care and support plans for clients. Help people identify wider
issues that impact on their health and wellbeing
such as loneliness, self-care, low income, housing and caring responsibilities,
and link them to appropriate services and support.
Having
an understanding of the evidence base around self-management support and
person-centred care.
Acting as an advocate
for the patient.
Delivering support face to face, over the phone or online at a location agreed
with the patient including
home visits where appropriate.
Being familiar and up-to date with the
wider offer from local or national
health, social care and voluntary sector organisations.
Ensuring accurate reporting and data
collection.
Ensuring regular review of risks and
issues that could impact on individual care and wider service delivery.
See candidate pack for full job description.
About us
Ways to Wellness delivers
social prescribing at scale for people with long-term health conditions
living in Newcastle upon Tyne, as well as developing and testing new approaches. We are proud of the impact of this work, both in
terms of improved patient wellbeing and reduced hospital costs. Our history and
achievements are captured in our reportWays to Wellness The First Six Years.
We are ambitious to innovate, and to
make a difference to the lives and wellbeing of even more people across the region.
We are a small, friendly and committed team. We
receive a significant amount of local and national attention for our service,
and we are ambitious to build on this with these and other innovative projects
in the future. This is an excellent opportunity for the right people to play
their part in this journey.
Ways to
Wellness offer excellent terms and conditions to staff, including 30 days
annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, a wellbeing cash plan after 6 months
probation, 5% pension contribution, and most importantly, a supportive work
culture.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to health care professionals, when the persons needs are beyond the scope of the link worker role.
The post holders will support patients in the east end of Newcastle, and liaise with a variety of partners, community and voluntary organisations across this area. Excellent communication skills and local knowledge will be needed. Willingness to undertake mandatory and role specific training within a specified timescale will also be essential.
Main Duties
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop person-centred, community based, personalised care and support plans for clients.
Help people identify wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing such as loneliness, self-care, low income, housing and caring responsibilities, and link them to appropriate services and support.
Promote social prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants of health. Coach colleagues in the principles of social prescribing.
Work unsupervised in a manner that promotes excellent care and experience, while recognising professional and organisational requirements and boundaries.
Be professional with people, colleagues, volunteers and professionals at all times.
Have an understanding of the evidence base around self-management support and person-centred care.
Adopt our quality improvement methodology and seek to continuously improve our systems for the value of our clients.
Provide personalised support
Act as an advocate for the patient, guiding them through the complex journey with a multi-faceted approach that results in appropriate use of scheduled and unscheduled care services.
Deliver support face to face, over the phone or online at a location agreed with the patient including home visits where appropriate.
Be familiar and up-to date with the wider offer from local or national health, social care and voluntary sector organisations, as relevant to people.
Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.
Seek advice and support from clinical staff to discuss patient-related concerns (e.g. safeguarding, medical or medication-related queries, complex mental health issues), referring the patient back to a suitable health professional if required.
Support community groups and the wider team
Develop robust and active relationships with care teams in primary and secondary care and connect well with other partners. Forge strong links with partner organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups. Contribute to the mapping of available assets.
Recognise and remedy gaps in provision by sharing intelligence, regarding shortfalls or problems in local provision, with commissioners and local authorities.
Encourage patients, their families and carers, who have been connected to community support through social prescribing, to volunteer and give their time freely to others, providing peer support, building their skills and confidence, and strengthening community resilience.
Where appropriate, ensure strong links with other Link Workers across the region.
Demonstrate effective, professional and respectful communication within the team and organisation.
Data capture and clinical governance
Ensure accurate reporting and data collection, where appropriate. Encourage individuals, families and carers to provide feedback and to share their stories about the impact of social prescribing on their lives.
Contribute to the monitoring and implementation of all policies and systems as they relate to service delivery, in particular: health and safety, safeguarding, vulnerable adults and lone working.
Ensure regular review of risks and issues that could impact on individual care and wider service delivery.
Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing. Provide appropriate feedback to clinicians about the people they referred, where required.
Follow agreed and set processes to record data and demonstrate clear outcomes and impact in line with funding requirements.
Adhere to GDPR and Data Protection requirements at all times.
Produce relevant reports to both the line manager and others if appropriate.
Professional development
Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the roles and responsibilities.
Undertake relevant training as required.
Work with the project steering group to share learning, and explore issues, to continually develop the service and enable you to deal effectively with the difficult issues that patient groups present.
Engage in developing professional relationships with the wider team.
This list is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder will be asked to carry out other duties which are appropriate to the skills of the post holder and grade of the post as the priorities of the service change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role will require managing and prioritising your own caseload, in accordance with the needs, priorities and any urgent support required by individuals on the caseload. It is vital that you have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to health care professionals, when the persons needs are beyond the scope of the link worker role.
The post holders will support patients in the east end of Newcastle, and liaise with a variety of partners, community and voluntary organisations across this area. Excellent communication skills and local knowledge will be needed. Willingness to undertake mandatory and role specific training within a specified timescale will also be essential.
Main Duties
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop person-centred, community based, personalised care and support plans for clients.
Help people identify wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing such as loneliness, self-care, low income, housing and caring responsibilities, and link them to appropriate services and support.
Promote social prescribing, its role in self-management, and the wider determinants of health. Coach colleagues in the principles of social prescribing.
Work unsupervised in a manner that promotes excellent care and experience, while recognising professional and organisational requirements and boundaries.
Be professional with people, colleagues, volunteers and professionals at all times.
Have an understanding of the evidence base around self-management support and person-centred care.
Adopt our quality improvement methodology and seek to continuously improve our systems for the value of our clients.
Provide personalised support
Act as an advocate for the patient, guiding them through the complex journey with a multi-faceted approach that results in appropriate use of scheduled and unscheduled care services.
Deliver support face to face, over the phone or online at a location agreed with the patient including home visits where appropriate.
Be familiar and up-to date with the wider offer from local or national health, social care and voluntary sector organisations, as relevant to people.
Where appropriate, physically introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.
Seek advice and support from clinical staff to discuss patient-related concerns (e.g. safeguarding, medical or medication-related queries, complex mental health issues), referring the patient back to a suitable health professional if required.
Support community groups and the wider team
Develop robust and active relationships with care teams in primary and secondary care and connect well with other partners. Forge strong links with partner organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups. Contribute to the mapping of available assets.
Recognise and remedy gaps in provision by sharing intelligence, regarding shortfalls or problems in local provision, with commissioners and local authorities.
Encourage patients, their families and carers, who have been connected to community support through social prescribing, to volunteer and give their time freely to others, providing peer support, building their skills and confidence, and strengthening community resilience.
Where appropriate, ensure strong links with other Link Workers across the region.
Demonstrate effective, professional and respectful communication within the team and organisation.
Data capture and clinical governance
Ensure accurate reporting and data collection, where appropriate. Encourage individuals, families and carers to provide feedback and to share their stories about the impact of social prescribing on their lives.
Contribute to the monitoring and implementation of all policies and systems as they relate to service delivery, in particular: health and safety, safeguarding, vulnerable adults and lone working.
Ensure regular review of risks and issues that could impact on individual care and wider service delivery.
Seek regular feedback about the quality of service and impact of social prescribing. Provide appropriate feedback to clinicians about the people they referred, where required.
Follow agreed and set processes to record data and demonstrate clear outcomes and impact in line with funding requirements.
Adhere to GDPR and Data Protection requirements at all times.
Produce relevant reports to both the line manager and others if appropriate.
Professional development
Work with your line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing the roles and responsibilities.
Undertake relevant training as required.
Work with the project steering group to share learning, and explore issues, to continually develop the service and enable you to deal effectively with the difficult issues that patient groups present.
Engage in developing professional relationships with the wider team.
This list is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. The post holder will be asked to carry out other duties which are appropriate to the skills of the post holder and grade of the post as the priorities of the service change.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant qualification/training, e.g. social prescribing link work/motivational coaching and interviewing/personalised care or equivalent experience.
- Full driving licence and own transport.
Desirable
- Training in Information, Advice or Guidance.
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record of engagement with people on to one basis and/or in groups.
- Demonstrable excellent knowledge of the local community.
- Experience of working in link worker role or similar.
Desirable
- Experience of working in secondary care or supporting people with chronic pain.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
- Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health
- related behaviors.
- Understanding of how to deliver high quality, personalised support to individuals, their families and their carers in a way that develops trust and helps them to focus on what matters to me. Strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate/necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
- Knowledge of IT systems, including Office, Outlook and the internet.
- Knowledge of health and lifestyle issues relating to mental wellbeing and mental health, gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification.
- Sound understanding of the challenges faced by those with poor health literacy and the ability to support individuals to develop appropriate skills.
- Adaptable and flexible approach, an interest in/willingness to share learning with other Ways to Wellness projects and team members, as well as external partners.
- Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
- Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations.
- Good organisational and time management skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the community resources available to people living with persistent physical symptoms and/or chronic pain.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Relevant qualification/training, e.g. social prescribing link work/motivational coaching and interviewing/personalised care or equivalent experience.
- Full driving licence and own transport.
Desirable
- Training in Information, Advice or Guidance.
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record of engagement with people on to one basis and/or in groups.
- Demonstrable excellent knowledge of the local community.
- Experience of working in link worker role or similar.
Desirable
- Experience of working in secondary care or supporting people with chronic pain.
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills.
- Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health
- related behaviors.
- Understanding of how to deliver high quality, personalised support to individuals, their families and their carers in a way that develops trust and helps them to focus on what matters to me. Strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate/necessary to refer people back to other health professionals/agencies.
- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
- Knowledge of the personalised care approach.
- Knowledge of IT systems, including Office, Outlook and the internet.
- Knowledge of health and lifestyle issues relating to mental wellbeing and mental health, gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification.
- Sound understanding of the challenges faced by those with poor health literacy and the ability to support individuals to develop appropriate skills.
- Adaptable and flexible approach, an interest in/willingness to share learning with other Ways to Wellness projects and team members, as well as external partners.
- Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
- Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations.
- Good organisational and time management skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the community resources available to people living with persistent physical symptoms and/or chronic pain.
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).
