Diabetes Peer Support Worker

EAST LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in East London is seeking a dedicated individual to join their Community Diabetes Team. The role involves working closely with patients to co-develop care plans, support their health education, and aid in managing Type Two Diabetes. Candidates should possess strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to personal development. This position is based in a supportive team environment aimed at enhancing the community's well-being.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing peer support and practical assistance to service users.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to personal development.

Responsibilities

• Assist service users to identify strengths and goals.
• Support service users in accessing health education activities.
• Act as a role model and mentor for Recovery.
• Support people to engage and attend their appointments.
• Be self-motivated, organized, and computer literate.

Job description

Overview

Co-production is one of the foundations at ELFT and you will work closely with the Community Diabetes Team and patients on their caseload to co-produce and co-develop care plans and health promotion sessions. The post-holder will also be involved in raising awareness of the complexity of the health and social challenges people with Type Two Diabetes face and the impact this has on mental health and well-being, and vice versa. A key aim of the service is to help people manage their diagnosis and lead a full, meaningful life, build resilience and feel more connected to their community, and to instill a sense of belonging.

To provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to service users, working flexibly to meet individual needs.

Responsibilities

• Assist service users to identify their strengths, personal interests and goals and support them to access and participate in health education activities which meet these while demonstrating acceptance of and respect towards service users' personal beliefs, uniqueness and identity.
• Positively support living within the community by developing and maintaining extensive knowledge and links with local areas and/or areas the individual service users wish to return to; actively supporting them to access these resources including acting as an escort (e.g., in relation to vocation, education and leisure).
• Act as a role model and mentor for Recovery using own experience to inspire hope in others; demonstrate coping skills, share life experiences and lessons learned where appropriate.
• Support people to engage and attend their appointments and empower them to collaborate with clinicians in managing their diabetes; including support to attend appointments and/or IT support if accessing virtually.
• Be self-motivated, organized, computer literate and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with a commitment to continued personal development.

Team and location

Newham Community Diabetes Service is based at Shrewsbury Road Health Centre. You will be working within an enthusiastic, friendly and exciting team of Community Diabetes Nurse Specialists and other health care professionals, providing clinical and education support for patients with diabetes and their carers. The team comprises highly motivating and supportive staff; you will be working in a friendly environment that will bring the best out of you.

Organisation

In East London NHS Foundation Trust, we value our staff and believe that anything worth doing is worth training for; you will be supported and trained to provide effective care to our patients, carers and their families.