Functional Specialist - PIP Assessment Centre

Our functional specialists write reports which help the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) make important decisions about a person’s health and care.

Maybe you’re a nurse right now and you’d like to move away from direct care - this role offers you the chance to not only improve your assessment skills, but also to use your knowledge and experience to make important clinical recommendations. Or you might be an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or paramedic wanting to learn how to evaluate situations in a different way in a different setting.

We’re looking for people with the compassion and experience to understand our claimants’ health conditions/disabilities and how they impact their lives. This role is different from other healthcare professions, and that’s why we take your training and development seriously. You’ll receive comprehensive training with time set aside for self-development learning. If you’re looking for a change, including more regular working hours, a competitive salary and are ready to expand your skills and experience, this could be the role for you.

• conducting initial reviews, paper-based, face-to-face, video or telephone assessments to evaluate how a claimant’s health condition or disability affects their day-to-day life
• observing and reporting on an individual’s ability to carry out activities
• analysing and interpreting clinical information and supporting evidence
• creating one comprehensive 3,000-4,000-word report of the evidence gathered for each claimant, up to a maximum of 3 per day
• ensuring enough detail, evidence and justification are given to support the DWP in making decisions
• developing your clinical knowledge and learning about the health conditions which are less familiar to you.
• this role will be based at your nearest assessment centre to deliver mainly face-to-face assessments.

• one year's post-registration experience as a nurse (RMN, RNLD, RGN), occupational therapist, physiotherapist or paramedic
• fully registered with a relevant UK regulatory body (NMC, HCPC or other), without restriction or conditions and with a valid PIN
• excellent observational and communication skills, giving you the ability to listen, empathise and dig deeper
• the ability to work quickly, producing reports in a timely manner and hitting targets
• solid experience with using IT and Microsoft Office, as well as remotely accessing systems
• a current valid driving licence or access to a form of transport to attend your nearest assessment centre

Successful candidates will be required to successfully complete government baseline personnel security standard vetting. This is the recognised standard for the pre-employment screening of individuals with access to government asset.

This role is defined as regulated activity relating to children or vulnerable adults within the meaning of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. At vetting, you will undergo an enhanced criminality check which will show both spent and unspent convictions.

You’ll be contracted to work 7.5 hours per day, 37.5 hours per week (full time), you’ll be able to agree your actual working hours with your line manager after training. Working patterns will be between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

Capita was awarded two contracts to deliver the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS) assessments in the Midlands and Wales for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and in Northern Ireland for the Department for Communities (DfC).

HAAS is a new service that will bring together existing assessment services, for disabled people and people with health conditions, under a single provider in each geographical region. This will make accessing support simpler and easier for some of society’s most vulnerable people.

Capita will deliver assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC), as well as a number of specialist benefits including Child Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Veterans UK assessments.

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