Social Prescriber Link Worker

Job summary

Social prescribing is fundamental to the visionof NHS England and NHS Improvement in delivering personalised care to millionsof people through the NHS Long Term Plan.

It helps people gain more controlover their healthcare and manage their needs in a way that suits them.

As our service expands, we have vacancies for additionalSocial Prescriber Link Workers (SPLWs) in our Bristol and South Gloucestersites.

Our Social Prescribers are link workers who empower people to takecontrol of their health and wellbeing. SPLWs connect patients to communitygroups as well as statutory services for practical and emotional support.

Theteam help address the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housingand physical inactivity. In this rewarding role you will have the opportunityto make a real difference, supporting others to make changes that have apositive effect on wellbeing.

Main duties of the job

To empower patients to take control of their health and wellbeing by addressing the wider determinants of health (such as debt;

poor housing and social isolation) and prescribe active engagement in the local community. The post holder will connect patients to community and statutory services that can meet their practical, social, and emotional needs.

The Social Prescriber Link Worker will develop good working relationships with :

Patients

Clinicians and the wider surgery staff

Service providers, 3rd sector and other groups

Key Responsibilities :

• Provide personalised information, advice and support to patients which meet their needs, circumstances, and preferences.
• Develop trusted relationships by giving people the time to talk about what matters to them.
• Support and signpost through referrals of non-medical pathways.
• Co-produce personalised actions and goals to improve health and wellbeing and track progress.
• Support the development of new community groups where there are gaps in services.

About us

With a team of over 300, Mendip Vale MedicalGroup (MVMG) delivers a Partner led service across North Somerset, Bristol, andSouth Gloucester (BNSSG).

Serving around 85,000 patients across 10 sites wehave a high calibre workforce delivering innovative care. Having now expandedwith further sites across BNSSG we are seeking exceptional people to join ourgrowing team.

We are a high-achieving and well-organisedpractice; we embrace a Multi-Disciplinary Team approach to care provision withadvanced practitioners, clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, physicianassociates, pharmacy technicians, mental health nurses and social prescribersall working together to give our patients seamless, safe, and effective care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary :

To empower patients to take control of their health and wellbeing by addressing the wider determinants of health (such as debt;

poor housing and social isolation) and prescribe active engagement in the local community. The post holder will connect patients to community and statutory services that can meet their practical, social, and emotional needs.

The Social Prescriber Link Worker will develop good working relationships with :

Patients

Clinicians and the wider surgery staff

Service providers, 3rd sector and other groups

Key Responsibilities :

• Provide personalised information, advice and support to patients which meet their needs, circumstances, and preferences.
• Develop trusted relationships by giving people the time to talk about what matters to them.
• Support and signpost through referrals of non-medical pathways.
• Co-produce personalised actions and goals to improve health and wellbeing and track progress.
• Support the development of new community groups where there are gaps in services.

Other Responsibilities :

• Build and maintain strong relationships with statutory services, VSCE organisations and community groups.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holders role as agreed with the Senior Social Prescriber

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Health or Social Care or other relevant professional academic qualification
• Evidence of continued learning / personal development in relevant field

Desirable

Personalised Health Coaching qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic, and environmental factors and their impact on communities.
• An understanding of health, social care, and voluntary sector provision.
• Knowledge of the personalised care approach.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Community Development approaches.
• Experience of setting up / delivering a community group.

Skills and Ability

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and confident in having difficult conversations.
• Ability to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence.
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise own workload and competing demands and works well under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and proactively on own initiative.
• Strong IT and record-keeping skills

Desirable

• Facilitation and delivery of workshops, groups, and meetings.
• Motivational interviewing skills to help others reach their potential.
30+ days ago