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NHS Jobs; Kirkby Lonsdale; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Social Prescribing Link Worker to work proactively with patients, GP practices, multidisciplinary teams and community organisations to provide personalised, practical and compassionate support.

You will take referrals, triage to the most appropriate colleague, co‑produce care plans, connect people to community groups, monitor progress and maintain accurate records to demonstrate the impact of social prescribing.

Responsibilities

• Take referrals from clinicians and triage to the most appropriate person.
• Discuss needs with individuals and identify options to improve independence and wellbeing.
• Co-produce a simple care plan and reconnect to community services.
• Maintain caseload and keep records on health and social care systems.
• Educate staff about available services and promote social prescribing.
• Collaborate with PCN teams, voluntary and statutory organisations.

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities The Social Prescribing Link Worker will work proactively with patients, GP practices, multidisciplinary teams and community organisations to provide personalised, practical and compassionate support. Key responsibilities will include: Take referrals from clinicians and multi disciplinary teams, and work closely with other PCN team colleagues to triage those patients and allocate to the most appropriate person Discuss the persons needs with them, based on guidance from the referrer, and identify a range of options that could assist the person to improve their independence and health and wellbeing Strengthen community and personal resilience, focusing on what matters to me and taking a holistic approach with each individual case Co-produce a simple personalised care and support plan to improve health & wellbeing introducing or reconnecting people to community groups and statutory services Manage and prioritise own caseload, in accordance with the needs Have a strong awareness and understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to refer people back to other health professionals and agencies, when the persons needs are beyond the scope of the link worker role e.g. when there is a need requiring a qualified practitioner Identify new, and work in partnership with voluntary and statutory organisations Understand the barriers and opportunities for people to self manage their conditions in the community Have a role in educating clinical and non clinical staff within their PCN multi disciplinary teams on what other services are available within the community and how and when people can access them Be responsible to undertake continual personal and professional development, attend regular clinical supervision and study days. Take an active part in reviewing and developing the roles and responsibilities Network with other local Social Prescribing Link Workers and where possible form mutual support Work sensitively with people, their families and carers to capture key information, enabling tracking of the impact of social prescribing on their health and wellbeing To promote the development of those working within the PCN team. Actively participate in regular co supervision of peers organise and attend regular team meetings. Key Tasks: Promote social prescribing, its role in self management and the wider determinants of health As part of the PCN multi-disciplinary team, attend relevant MDT Network meetings, providing information and feedback on social prescribing on request Be proactive in encouraging self referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that support groups may find hard to reach Identify and work with charitable and volunteer organisations, promoting their services to your patients as well as advising practice staff on the support available Be a friendly source of information about well being and prevention approaches. Help people identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities Work with the person, their families and carers and consider how they can all be supported through social prescribing Help people maintain or regain independence through living skills, adaptations, enablement approaches and simple safeguards Seek advice and support from relevant GPs to discuss people-related concerns (e.g. abuse, domestic violence and support with mental health), escalating the support back to the GP or other suitable health professional if required Work with the PCN Digital & Transformation Lead, GP Federation, commissioners and local partners to identify unmet needs within the community and gaps in community provision Where possible, encourage people, their families and carers to provide peer support and to do things together, such as setting up new community groups or volunteering The SPLW will be expected to keep accurate and up to date records on relevant health and social care systems The SPLW will gather record and collate data, including case studies, in a prescribed format in order to demonstrate the impact of the service Undertake and tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner All staff have an individual responsibility to comply with the organisations policies and practices. Duties will vary from time to time under the direction of the clinical director and network management leads, in agreement with the post holder, dependent on current and evolving practice workload and staffing levels.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust