Weight Management Health Improvement Practitioner
Job overview
The Weight Management Single Point of Access (SPOA) shall be provided as a pilot service for a duration of 18 months.
The SPOA shall serve as the gateway to appropriate interventions for weight management support across Devon.
The team will be the receiving centre for all referrals relating to weight management in the region.
Main duties of the job
To support the clinical triage of referrals, risk assessment and safeguarding concerns within the service, managing onward referral process for some complex service users.
Contact referrals to discuss referral options, ensure that all service users receive up-to-date information on a wide range of health improvement programmes, with a primary focus on weight management initiatives.
Provide support to service users through health coaching conversations to help them navigate potentially complex referral options.
To provide support to the Single Point of Access team and patients who are referred into the service.
Support with screening of patient questionnaires to aid appropriate signposting for onward care.
Managing referrals through the electronic referral system (ERS), ensuring that referrals are actioned within expected timeframes. Using ERS to generate reports for commissioners and service.
Supporting audit and evaluation of Single Point of Access pilot programme
Day-to-day management of Health Improvement Coordinators
Working for our organisation
Why Work With Us
Based at St Edmunds Community Care Centre in Torquay, with potential to travel within the whole of Devon. The Devon Weight Management Single Point of Access Team is a new service consisting of a Service Lead, Health Improvement Practitioner (this post) and Health Improvement Coordinator.
The aims of the SPOA are to:
- Improve access to appropriate weight management support and, where clinically appropriate, specialist weight management services
- Standardise triage and referral processes
- Reduce duplication across the weight management (and associated) pathways
- Link pathways for patients with long term conditions where weight management is recommended e.g., diabetes.
- Evolve to become the one access point for weight management across all levels of support (tiers 1 – 4)
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Raise awareness amongst the population of Devon around available support. Demonstrate improvements in public perception, increase engagement and demonstrate the impact of services by sharing real, positive user experiences on social platforms.Contribute to marketing and communication of Weight Management Services.
Design, produce and deliver appropriate evidence informed resources, including presentations to the wider team and relevant stakeholder partners.
Help target audiences to become more aware of available support through relatable examples
Highlight experiences and outcomes making services feel approachable and personal
Help to build trust in the local services and approach
Promote non-judgemental approaches to weight management for example, diverse body types, neutral supportive language (e.g., supporting your health rather than lose weight), addressing social determinants of health (e.g., access to food and healthcare instead of framing it as purely personal responsibility)
Use authentic stories of people who have improved their health by focusing on self-care
Distribute screening questionnaires to patients referred into the service to support appropriate signposting of services.
Actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings and partnerships to identify and address health inequalities and service gaps. Meet regularly with stakeholders to understand needs and raise awareness of services.
Use effective negotiation skills to engage with service users, supporting them to access services most appropriate for them. Service users will not always be eligible for the services they require, and the postholder will be required to have well developed communication skills and the ability to have challenging conversations.
Have conversations with service users where there may be communication difficulties and barriers to understanding.
To act as a link to improve communication and access between primary care, specialist services, service users and carers and non-statutory providers, to enhance team working and care delivery.
Complete Stakeholder engagement to increase access to service through a partnership approach.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- • Evidence of continuing professional/personal development in health improvements/ behaviour change/public health to a degree level or equivalent
- • Health promotion certificates such as Brief Interventions for Alcohol, Mental health First Aid
- Health Coaching
Knowledge
Essential criteria- • Knowledge of the benefits of health improvement interventions including understanding determinants of health
- • Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology
- • Demonstrable experience of working with a wide range of people and groups using a strength-based approach in relation to behavioural change
- • Knowledge of social marketing and health needs assessment
- • Experience of using office-based software (e.g. word processors, spreadsheets & databases) in a workplace setting
- • Experience of health promotion
Skills
Essential criteria- • Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team and manage own caseload
- • Experience of using clinical systems Understanding of audit and evaluation
You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.
If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION- We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
- Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
- Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
- Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
- Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
- If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
- It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.
If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.