Health Improvement Practitioner

Job summary This vacancy is for a Fixed term contract of 18 months, working hours.Would youlike to work within a dedicated and supportive team which ispassionate about improving health and wellbeing?
If yes, then this post couldbe for you.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Livewell Southwest Well BeingTeam as a health improvement practitioner, to reduce health inequalitiesamongst the most disadvantaged in our City.As part ofthe national drive towards a smoke free nation, this new post will focus onsmoking cessation, particularly amongst marginalised groups and those withcomplex needs.
You will seek to influence, improve and promote positivelifestyle choices and behaviours, leading to better health outcomes and areduction in preventable ill health.TheWellbeing Team is the provider service for the Office of the Director of PublicHealth within Plymouth City Council.
The Team is responsible for a number ofhealth improvement outcome measures.
It provides a One You service to thepublic around the key lifestyles which contribute to health outcomes, Eg.Smokefree, Drink Less, Eatwell and Move More.
Main duties of the job You will work as part of a team deliveringan exciting new initiative aimed at tobacco harm reduction and developing innovativepathways to support individuals toward smoking cessation.
Thepostholder will explore ways to help clients reduce harm and encourage healthand well being using behaviour change techniques.
Much of the work will focuson addressing known areas of healthinequalities within the city and to meet the needs of populations in the mostdeprived areas.
Partnership working with other health & social care professionals and the wider VCSE sector will be integral to the role.
The postwill involve working with a diverse range of clients in various settings usingdifferent interventions and modalities to promote identify possible risks to health.
Although the focus is on smoking cessation, thesuccessful post holder will be expected to work across all the preventionworkstreams as required.All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.Job Share(s) ConsideredPlease notethat this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Workerroute, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regardsto eligibility.Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall.
Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration.
We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place.
Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.
Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities Carryout specialist one-to-one interventions for behaviour change after appropriatetraining.Carryout specialist group interventions for behaviour change.Liaisewith partners to help reach target populations and communities.
Activelyseek out Hard to Reach populations and help them to engage in healthlifestyle initiatives.
Activelyseek out Livewell Southwest teams who would benefit from Wellbeing training andwho can help deliver brief interventions and referral to the Wellbeing Team.Developand deliver training programmes for other professionals /interested partiesinternally and externally.
This will include Treating Tobacco Dependencyworkshops and training sessions.
Generate income throughtraining programmes and explore other areas for income generation.
Contribute at network meetings and team events.Monitorand evaluate outcomes via processes, procedures, and systems.Givefeedback on performance and local intelligence to senior management team.Ensurethat all stakeholders receive up-to-date information on a wide range of health improvementtopics.Develop, promote andco-ordinate health activities and other community engagement events to deliverhealth promotion and brief interventions.
Contribute to thecommunications and marketing strategy by collecting case studies and photos.Develop fact sheets andresources.
Contribute to researchand development as directed.Act as a HealthChampion, Making Every Contact Count.
Be up to date with arange of health improvement topics through competency-based learning.See full job description and person specification attached.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ 3/ C&G or similar level qualification in a health or related field and or evidence of experience to diploma level or equivalent.
Desirable Trained Smoking Cessation Advisor (NCSCT) Evidence of continuing professional/personal development in health improvements/ behaviour change/public health Experience Essential Minimum of 1-year experience of community health promotion work Experience and ability to work on a one-to-one basis and with local groups on specific health initiatives Demonstrable experience of working with a wide range of people and groups Experience of working with and sustaining partnerships with statutory, public, private and community voluntary sector Desirable Quantitative and/or qualitative research Experience of leading/developing and implementing Health Promotion initiatives Experience of delivering Smoking cessation interventions Knowledge Essential Knowledge and understanding of the psychology of behaviour change Knowledge of the benefits of health improvement interventions Understanding of determinants of health and health inequalities Understanding and commitment to Community Development approaches Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology Desirable Awareness of sources of up-to-date relevant data/information , national and local guidance relating to health promotion interventions Knowledge of Treating Tobacco dependency/smoking cessation Skills Essential Able to deliver training sessions in group sessions using effective leadership and facilitation skills Ability to sustain good working relationships with local people, colleagues, external organisations and partnerships.
Ability to self-motivate and motivate people to effect behaviour change Ability to prioritise plan and manage workload Multi-media communication and presentation skills Development of health education resources IT literate Desirable Data analysis and interpretation Budgetary management Project planning and management, including monitoring analysis and evaluation of projects Additional Requirements Essential Able to drive / travel across Plymouth & other geographical areas.
Able to work flexibly including out of hours with notice eg evenings and weekends