Social Prescriber

Job summary

Colchester Medical Practice has an exciting opportunity for a social prescriber to join our practice team on a full time or part time basis. The minimal hours required is 25, and this position is offered on an 18 month contract.

Social prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and well-being through referral to non-medical link workers who give time to focus on what matters to each individual, taking a holistic approach and connecting people to community groups and statutory services, for practical and emotional support.

If you are a local community champion or already a social prescriber, and want a new and exciting challenge, then we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Receiving and managing all referrals from multi-agencies.
• Providing personalised support to vulnerable individuals.
• Working in partnership with the practice team to support patients and promote positive lifestyle changes, with the aim of preventing ill-health by means of behavioural change techniques.
• Completing holistic-care planning assessments, analysing how needs can be met by services and other opportunities available in the community.
• Providing information and advice about a wide range of services in order to promote health and well-being in order to support independence within communities.
• Forging strong links with local VCSE organisations, community and neighbourhood level groups;
• Contributing to reducing demand on statutory services, hospital admissions and to combat unnecessary GP appointments.
• Working with patients in the practice, or with patients in their own homes, to provide personalised person-centred support.

About us

Colchester Medical Practice is a well established PCN, delivering excellent care to over 40,000 patients across the city of Colchester. We have four sites (Shrub End Surgery, Castle Gardens Medical Practice, Wimpole Road Surgery and Parsons Heath Medical Practice) and a new health and wellbeing hub, based at our Parsons Heath site.

The practice is well established with a rating of GOOD by the Care Quality Commission. As a practice we employ over 120 colleagues to provide excellent healthcare to patients across Colchester.

We offer:

• NHS pension scheme.
• Proper Pay -Living Wage Foundation accredited.
• Eye-care vouchers.
• Health service discounts.
• Annual Leave: minimum 33 days FTE.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity terms.
• Uniform provided for colleagues if required.
• Free use of Holly Health mental wellbeing app.
• Flexible working contracts available upon request.
• Excellent training opportunities and progression provided.