Social Prescribing Link Worker
- NHS
- Full Time
- West Hampstead
- Negotiable
Job Description
Job summary
West Hampstead Medical Centre is seeking an enthusiastic and committed Social Prescribing Link Worker to join our vibrant and welcoming team. You will be working within an integrated model of care supporting people 18+, presenting with different needs who require a joined-up approach to access services.
Social Prescribing offers the chance to find out about activities that can improve health and wellbeing, including advice and information services, community groups, leisure activities, lunch clubs, self-help groups, specialist interest groups, sporting activities, and lots more.
Social prescribing can help to strengthen community and personal resilience and reduce health inequalities by signposting patients to services who can help with debt, poor housing and physical inactivity. It particularly works for patients with long-term conditions, mental health issues, for those who are lonely, isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing. It empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing in a holistic way.
Main duties of the job
About us
We provide GP services for 23,398 patients, based at a single modern and purpose-built site that is well connected to both tubes, bus and rail networks. We are a training practice, with GP trainees and medical students from 2 big teaching hospitals.
As a training practice we have a supportive and nurturing ethic experienced by all at the practice, from clinicians through to admin staff. We place emphasis on working as a team and allowing individual interests to develop and flourish. Our patients have access to a psychiatrist allocated to the practice in house to help with mental health problems. We also have a very active patient participation group that guide our decisions as a practice.
We are proud to offer high levels of patient care and work together as a team to deliver enhanced services for our patients, as well as improving working practices for our staff. You will benefit from NHS Pension, cycle to work scheme, health and wellbeing support, weekly clinical meetings, employee assistance programme and more.
Job responsibilities
The Social Prescribing Link Worker will receive referrals via NHS Mail from West Hampstead Medical Centre. Suitable referrals include: patients who are lonely or isolated & people who have complex social needs which affect their health and wellbeing.
The Social Prescribing Link Worker will liaise with a range of multi-disciplinary professionals who are involved in a patients care, ensuring a smooth and coordinated approach, especially where multiple agencies are involved.
Undertake holistic assessments and co-produce a personalised plan with patients, identifying their support needs. Record all information on the practice clinical systems.
Attend and feedback at locality and practice-based multidisciplinary team meetings as required.
Work with members of the integrated care teams to support a joined up approach to provision such as frailty meetings where needed.
Support the Putting Patients First agenda around care planning and case management to support patients in their management of care and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
Support may include: Phone call(s) and signposting to support /information. One face-to-face assessment and personalised plan. Continued face-to-face sessions (in exceptional circumstances up to 12 sessions). Providing on-going support to patients to implement their plan. Support for patients to access local support services, groups, activities, etc
Link Workers should be able to identify when there is a need for urgent action or for a step-up in care and know when to seek advice and support from the GPs and wider team to discuss patient-related concerns, referring the patient back to the Care Navigators, GP or other suitable health professional when required.
Promote social prescribing services and be proactive in developing strong links with all local agencies, community groups, VCSE organisations and other statutory services to encourage referrals, recognising what they need to be confident in the service to make appropriate referrals.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.
- GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths.
Desirable
- Enrolled in, undertaking or qualified from appropriate training including training or apprenticeships to obtain a level three occupational standard, as set out in the Workforce Development Framework for Social Prescribing Link Workers.
- Qualified to NVQ level 2/NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care
- Has completed the NHS England and online learning programme for Social Prescribing Links Workers.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of supporting people, their families & carers in a related role.
- The ability to listen and empathise with vulnerable people.
- Experience of working with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports.
Desirable
- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work).
- Experience of supporting people either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.
- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
- Knowledge of clinical systems used in the primary care setting.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
West Hampstead Medical Centre
Address
West Hampstead Medical Centre
9 Solent Road
London
NW6 1TP
Employer's website
https://www.westhampsteadmedicalcentre.com/Home (Opens in a new tab)
