Physical Health Support Worker - Various Locations

Dorset Healthcare University Nhs Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated Physical Health Support Worker to deliver annual physical health checks for people with serious mental illness, conducting observations and health promotion activities. You will travel across the locality and work with clinicians to support improvements in physical health outcomes.

The role requires strong organisational skills, independence, and a proactive approach to inviting and engaging individuals in health checks

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent qualification
• Willingness to complete relevant physical health checks and interventions training
• Ability to drive for work
• Good IT and care record/data entry skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Good coordination and organisation skills

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive physical health assessment for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) through a series of physical health observations and health promotion interventions.
• Improve the physical health care for adults living with SMI through enhanced health checks and supportive follow-up interventions tailored to their needs.
• Provide individuals with lifestyle and health advice to help manage their physical health needs.
• Support and empower people to engage with the physical health pathway, overcoming barriers to participation.
• Work with other providers to promote access to activities in the local community that support wellbeing.
• Work flexibly, following guidance from senior colleagues, doctors and nurses through shared decision-making.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Coordination

Organisation

IT skills

Driving licence

Willingness to train

Experience with clients

Teamwork

Mental health experience

English proficiency

Education

NVQ Level 3 in care

Job description

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an enthusiastic, compassionate and highly motivated physical health support worker to work across various Trust localities. The main role of this job is to provide annual physical health checks for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) by conducting a range of physical observations and health promotion interventions as well as signposting individuals to services to improve their physical health. The role will require the post holder to build relationships with people who may struggle to access support for their health needs and will require trying different and proactive ways of inviting people for an annual physical health check. We are looking for an individual who feels a desire to make a positive contribution to improving the physical health for people living with SMI. You will be required to have strong organisational skills and be able to work independently within the boundaries of your role whilst being able to seek support and guidance from senior colleagues and other professionals. You will be embedded within various surgeries and the role requires the individual to be able to independently travel across the locality.

We offer a high-quality training covering core mental health awareness, physical health observations, physical health promotion and behaviour change for people living with SMI. Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Physical Health Service :: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Main duties of the job

• To provide a comprehensive physical health assessment for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) through a series of physical health observations and health promotion interventions.


• To improve the physical health care for adults living with SMI, through improved physical health checks and supported follow-up interventions that are tailored to their needs.


• To provide individuals with lifestyle and health advice about ways of managing their physical health needs.


• Supporting and empowering people to engage with the physical health pathway, including overcoming any barriers to their participation to better equip individuals with the tools they need to make positive changes.


• To work with other providers in promoting access to activities in the local community that promote peoples wellbeing.


• Work flexibly, responding to the needs of the individuals with guidance from senior colleagues, doctors and nurses through a process of shared decision-making.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

Details

• Date posted: 23 October 2026


• Pay scheme: Agenda for change


• Band: Band 3


• Salary: £25,760 to £27,476 a year p.a./pro rata for part time


• Contract: Permanenti
  
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time


• Reference number: 152-M374.26


• Job locations: Base at Kings Park Hospital but travel required pan-Dorset, Gloucester Rd, Bournemouth, BH7 6JF, United Kingdom

Essential person specification

• NVQ Level 3 in care, or equivalent qualification or level of experience


• Willingness to complete relevant physical health checks and interventions training


• Ability to drive for work


• Basic understanding of the NHS and its independencies


• Effective interpersonal skills


• Good I.T and care record/data entry skills


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Good coordination and organisation skills


• Experience of working with clients, the public or both


• Experience of working as part of a team towards a common goal


• Experience of mental health (as worker, carer or own experience)


• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.

Desirable person specification

• Knowledge of physical/mental health conditions and/or the NHS Long Term Plan for health inequalities


• Existing skills in physical health i.e. phlebotomy or promoting health change i.e. motivational interviewing or coaching (formal or non-formal)


• Experience of working in physical health care settings