Job responsibilities
The Health Improvement Hub places Health Coaches work into the local communities to identify
and support those at a greater risk of poor health. They work on both a one-one basis and facilitate
group sessions, supporting people to make healthy lifestyle changes and improve their lifestyles to
improve both mental and physical wellbeing. Health Coaches are behaviour change specialists.
They are Stop Smoking Practitioners and can offer health assessments. They work in partnership
with local clinical and non-clinical services within the NHS, other organisations in the public, private
and voluntary/community sectors.
Health Coaches specific duties and responsibilities include:
Develop and deliver evidence based behaviour change group programmes to target groups
across Wiltshire.
Work on a one to one or group basis with individuals under a lone-working policy for a period of
six sessions per individual or 12 weeks in a group or through a more flexible approach as
agreed by the client and their Health Coach, using behavioural techniques to build confidence
and motivation and to overcome barriers to change.
To undertake follow up maintenance assessments of clients at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Undertake a 30-minute pre-consultation appointment, which aims to assess the readiness of a
potential client to change, eligibility for the service, determine what the client wants to work on,
discuss what they can expect from the service or signpost to a more appropriate service.
Help individuals to develop, implement and review an action plan to support behaviour change
and sustain those behaviours by setting SMART goals, leading to more healthy choices.
Help individuals to access services in the local community by signposting and support, as part
of the clients own self-care and self-management.
Be responsible for keeping information regarding local groups and activities up to date and
ensure recommendations of only recognised and regulated groups and activities.
Responsible for ensuring all government guidelines and information given to clients is up to
date and accurate, i.e., units of alcohol recommended per week.
Target client work appropriately by using knowledge of local health deprivation and inequalities.
To carry out community-based work to generate referrals, network and convey key health messages, including attending local groups and activities, attending steering/focus groups,
inter-agency meetings, networking events, area boards and community events.
Use judgement and decision making to ensure safeguarding of adults and children and seek
immediate medical / professional support for those clients presenting an urgent medical
condition. In addition, be responsible for keeping up to date on safeguarding training, policy and
procedure.
To creatively plan sessions using Wiltshire Council resources to ensure they meet all the
guidance/standards whilst maintaining interest and delivering benefits to all the customers to
ensure retention targets are met.
Carry out health assessment of client ensuring all health and safety requirements are met, this
includes weight and waist measurement, mental health scaling questions, CO monitoring,
ensuring a decision is made on appropriate pathway to specialist support if needed.
Work as a level 2 stop smoking advisor, to deliver interventions across a spectrum of stop
smoking work to support quitters, contribute to reducing ill-health and inequalities in health
among the Wiltshire population.
To provide specific evidence-based healthy weight and wellbeing support to clients.
To provide specific evidence-based physical activity support to clients seeking to increase their
physical activity to support improvement in mental health and wellbeing.
To provide specific evidence-based alcohol reduction support to clients seeking to reduce their
alcohol intake to support improvement in mental health and wellbeing.
To work within the remit of the Health Coach service and signposting referrals to suitable
services when appropriate.
To risk assess private room space to see clients and for health fairs, use judgement and
decision making if room space is subject to change upon arrival of appointment.
To follow the lone working policy, ensuring health and safety guidelines for post holder and
customers are met.
Work with partners to promote the Health Improvement Coach service and to generate referrals
into the service.
To be responsible for maintaining accurate written client records and for transcribing them onto
the national Health Improvement Coach database DCRS, following data protection guidelines.
Coaches are responsible for the accuracy of this data and are aware how to flag to a manager
should they have entered incorrect data.
Keep records and monitor progress of individuals, use judgement and decision making to
determine whether a client who is not achieving to seek alternative support or continue support
at a later date, at Health Improvement Coach discretion.
Report concerns about individuals and those whose needs cannot be met by Health
Improvement Coaches to managers as appropriate, including health and safety concerns.
To support public health at health fairs and health events.
Ensure equipment used as part of the service (weighing scales and cholesterol machines, and
CO monitors are working effectively and undertake quality assurance procedures.
Deliver one-off health and wellbeing workshops and training to community groups and
services.
Build ongoing professional relationships with a range of professionals inside and out of the
health and social care system including working with adult social care, GPs, Dieticians, police,
NHS partners and third sector organisations including the local prison HMP Erlestoke.
