Physical Health Support Worker

at  Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, compassionate and highly motivated physical health support worker to work within Bournemouth East Older Persons Community Mental Health Team.
The role 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 and set goals with individuals to help improve their physical health.
The role will require 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 within primary and secondary services and support them in accessing appropriate level of care.
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 (GPs, consultants, nurses, VCSE organisations, social prescribers and others). You will be working closely with the PCN surgeries and be embedded within these and the role required the individual to be able to independently travel across the locality.
The post holder will be working closely with the existing teams in Primary and Secondary care to enhance the existing provision by providing comprehensive physical health assessments (in both clinic and home settings), signpost individuals to services to improve their physical health and set goals with individuals to help improve their physical health.
You will be working closely with, and managed by, Bournemouth East Older Persons Community Mental Health Team but embedded within Primary Care GP Surgeries to provide the physical health care needs for people within primary and secondary care services.
You will be working with individuals and relevant staff through the process to develop physical health care goals and plans to promote and encourage self-management of physical health. Develop and promote individuals to develop supportive relationships with key partner organisations and communities to support sustainability.
To provide a comprehensive physical health monitoring, assessment and annual review appointments for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness in a clinical setting, seeking to reduce the health inequality and mortality gap these individuals face and promoting positive lifestyle choices.
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.
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check

Please refer the Job description for details