Health Coordinator

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Peterlee; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service organization in Peterlee is seeking a Health Co-Ordinator to deliver exceptional patient education for diabetes management. This role involves direct patient interaction, developing community partnerships, and ensuring high-quality care through structured education sessions. Candidates should possess relevant health qualifications and strong communication skills to support lifestyle changes and health improvement initiatives. If you have experience in the health sector and a passion for community engagement, this is the role for you.

Qualifications

• Relevant health qualification like NVQ3 or equivalent.
• Understanding of health inequalities and their impact.
• Experience with diabetes and healthy lifestyles.

Responsibilities

• Deliver face-to-face education sessions for diabetes.
• Manage patient referrals and provide support.
• Engage with community groups to optimize referrals.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

IT database management

Ability to handle sensitive data

Knowledge of diabetes issues

Time management skills

Team player

Education

Relevant qualification in health or social care

RSPH Level 2 Understanding Health Improvement

Health Trainer qualification (City and Guilds Level 3)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Health Co-Ordinator

The closing date is 29 January 2026

The Health Coordinator will deliver face-to-face patient education sessions (XPERT) as the main element of the role, ensuring patients receive high-quality, engaging, and accessible information to support self-management and improve health outcomes.

In addition, the postholder will manage referrals from GP practices across County Durham and Darlington and provide telephone support to assess individual needs and facilitate lifestyle and behaviour change, particularly in the areas of healthy eating and physical activity.

The post holder will also engage and work with a wide range of partners and local voluntary and community groups to develop signposting and referral pathways, strengthening community links and improving access to support services.

Main duties of the job

The main priority of the Health Coordinator role is to deliver high-quality patient care by supporting individuals with diabetes to access and benefit from structured education programmes. Working alongside the Health Navigator, the post holder will help develop and implement the service, ensuring patient needs are identified and addressed. This includes improving uptake of approved structured education programmes, promoting and delivering face-to-face sessions, and supporting the wider health and wellbeing needs of this client group. The role also involves managing referrals, engaging with partners and community groups to strengthen referral pathways, and contributing to patient-led initiatives. Using asset-based community development and engagement techniques, the Health Coordinator will work to involve target groups effectively, carry out service evaluations, identify gaps in provision, and collaborate with partner organisations to develop new services. Representing the County Durham and Darlington Diabetes Alliance at key partnership and community forums, the post holder will ensure that patient care and outcomes remain at the heart of all activities.

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years of as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Job responsibilities

Deliver patient-facing care as the main priority, including providing one-to-one support, promoting and delivering face-to-face diabetes structured education sessions, and maintaining regular contact with patients before and after education to support behaviour and lifestyle changes.

Support patients in overcoming barriers to accessing structured education and encourage attendance in line with NICE guidance.

Signpost or refer individual clients to arrange a range of health improvement lifestyle interventions, primary and secondary care services, and voluntary/community support.

Apply solution-focused problem solving to address wider determinants of health and lifestyle issues, including healthy eating, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol.

Assist the Health Navigator in the development and implementation of the service, ensuring patient needs remain central.

Establish opportunities to support the needs of people with newly diagnosed and existing Type 2 diabetes.

Identify gaps in provision and support the development of new services or activities based on identified health needs.

Work with partners and existing groups to develop referral pathways for support.

Promote activities, including managing events and publicity campaigns.

Apply asset-based community development techniques and undertake research to support access to appropriate services.

Prepare and maintain resources for the successful delivery of diabetes structured education.

Carry out service evaluation in line with the project plan and best practice.

Manage data for clients, including inputting information into databases and creating reports using SystmOne and Microsoft Office.

Work flexibly as part of the team, providing cover for colleagues as required to maintain appropriate staffing levels.

Ensure the service operates effectively and efficiently.

Collate and present verbal and written reports as required.

Contribute to the development of systems and procedures and support the team in meeting quality and performance targets.

Monitor and maintain Health & Safety and security within the workplace.

Demonstrate innovative and creative practice to engage vulnerable/disadvantaged groups and utilise volunteer support in community engagement.

Audit and maintain resources, stock, and equipment levels.

Implement policies and propose changes to practices and procedures for own area.

Comply with all relevant organisational policies, procedures, and guidelines in relation to safe practice.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of public health interventions and theoretical knowledge of health topics.

Carry out all responsibilities with due regard to the organisations Equality and Diversity Policy.

Undertake any training and development deemed appropriate by your line manager.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in health, social care /community development or related area. e.g. NVQ3 / Foundation degree / Higher National Diploma or equivalent.
• Good overall topic based training covering a range of health and wellbeing disciplines.
• RSPH Level 2 Understanding Health Improvement. (or willing to achieve)
• Specific diabetes knowledge.
• Health Trainer qualification (City and Guilds Level 3) with core competencies completed.
• ITQ level 2 or equivalent plus further information technology training database management, IT software packages.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Special Skills & Knowledge
• An understanding of the factors affecting health and wellbeing.
• An understanding of health inequalities and the impact on health.
• Knowledge of health and issues relating to diabetes, adult obesity, physical activity (gained through practical experience and/or a health related qualification).
• Sound understanding of the challenges faced by those with poor health literacy and the ability to support individuals to develop appropriate skills.
• Practical demonstration/delivery skills.
• Skills to listen, influence, negotiate and motivate individuals in relation to health related behaviours.
• Ability to handle sensitive data with confidentiality.
• Able to analyse data and produce reports to influence decision making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and listening skills. Able to demonstrate tact and persuasive skills.
• Ability to act upon own initiative, respond to changing situations.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office packages
• An awareness of behaviour change models.
• Experience of multi sector working.
• Knowledge of setting up and maintaining social media accounts.
• Interview
• An awareness of behaviour change modelsli>
• Experience of multi sector working.
• Knowledge of setting up and maintaining social media accounts.
• Team player.
• Sympathetic, pleasant manner with the ability to negotiate changes with a wide range of people and at all levels.
• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.

Experience

• Experience of working in the health, community or voluntary sector.
• An understanding of Asset Based Community Development Approach and experience of applying the tools.
• Successful experience of delivering 1-2-1 health improvement interventions.
• Experience of evaluating projects or services, using a range of techniques.
• Experience of working within a team.
• Experience of delivering health awareness campaigns.
• Experience of being a successful Health Trainer and working with both individuals and groups.
• Experience of working with primary care
• Experience of using

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 name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust