Social Prescribing Link Worker

Thepost holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing(non-clinical) role.

The Social Prescribing Link Worker will work with individual patients in the surgeries, community venues or patients own home as appropriate.

The following are the core responsibilities ofthe Social Prescribing Link Worker.

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; thiswill depend on factors such as workload and staffing levels:

To work with patients to agree goals and actions based on their identified health needs and on what is important to them

To signpost patients to local services to enable them to improve their physical and emotional well-being, and where necessary offer additional support to enable them to access these services.

In partnership with external organisations, develop and embed integrated care plans which ensure that theneeds of the patient are met

Maintain accurate patient records at alltimes, using GP clinical systems such as EMIS & Elemental.

Maintain contact with fellow Social Prescribers in order to share and embed best practice

Implement, develop and share a directory of services, incorporating referral processes to local services / organisations

To actively promote the social prescribing service to staff and patients within the PCN using a variety of communication methods

To work with local community and voluntary sector organisations to identify and develop projects which canaccept social prescriber referrals.

Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

To support practice staff in the Elemental referral process.

To train the practice team in the identification of patients suitable for social prescribing

Connexus Primary Care Network brings together five GP Practices serving the population of Brislington, Knowle and Stockwood in South-East Bristol.

These new posts will work as part of a small team with a registered Mental Health Practitioner and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Coaches. You will work out of one or more of the surgeries, or in local community venues.

We offer a competitive rate of pay, with paid overtime. 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays, pro-rata for part-time). You will receive regular clinical supervision and opportunities for training and development.

The purpose of this role is to provide personalised support to patients of Connexus PCN tohelp them take control of their mental health and wellbeing, live independently,improve their health outcomes and maintain a healthy lifestyle, using behavioural change techniques.

The postholder will:

Manage and prioritise a caseload in accordance with the health and wellbeing needs of the population, taking an approach which is non-judgemental and which considers the whole person

Provide personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to support them to be active participants in their own healthcare and wellbeing

Coach and motivate patients through multiple sessions to identify their needs and set goals and supporting them to achieve these

In partnership with external organisations, develop and embed integrated care plans which ensure that theneeds of the patient are met

Work closely in partnership with the Social Prescribing Link Workers to connect patients to community based activities which support them to take increased control of their health and wellbeing and to identify and work alongside peoplewho may need additional support, but are not yet ready to benefit fully from social prescribing

You will need to be confident in using GP clinical systems to manage referrals and maintain accurate and timely patients records.

• NVQ Level 3, or above, or equivalent qualification in health and social care
• Health coaching or counselling qualification

• Providing patient or client facing services
• Assessing individual needs and developing holistic, person-centred plans
• Working in a healthcare or related setting (ie voluntary sector, social care, social work, counselling)
• Delivering behavioural change interventions
• Working with vulnerable people and those with complex needs
• Working as a health advisor/trainer

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong IT skills and ability to learn to use GP clinical systems
• Time management
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a team
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Good understanding of interventions, behavioural and motivational change methodologies
• Knowledge of local community services to support health and wellbeing
• Knowledge of local mental health service criteria and thresholds
• A high level of personal resilience and ability to support patients who may be experiencing significant levels of distress
• Confident, flexible, highly motivated
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be…