About the surgery

Our aim is to provide a comprehensive, friendly, professional and personal primary health care service with time to discuss our patients’ health care concerns.

We will make it as easy as possible for our patients to make an appointment to see their doctor, nurse or other health care professional whilst meeting targets set by the Government.

We are actively involved in both the training and professional development of all members of the healthcare team.  This includes undergraduate and post graduate training of both doctors and nurses.

We strive to be part of our local community and a centre for excellence in the provision of Primary Health Care with ‘in house’ provision of a range of medical services.  We will provide this service by maintaining an efficient and effective business.

At Mendip Country Practice, keeping people safe is a priority.

We are committed to protecting unborn babies, children, families, and adults at risk. Our staff are trained to recognise concerns, and we work closely with local services to respond quickly and appropriately.

If you are worried about your own safety or someone else’s, please speak to us or contact:

• Children’s & Adult Social Care (Somerset): 0300 123 2224
• Out of hours: 0300 123 2327
• Police: 999 (emergency) or 101

Safeguarding is part of everything we do and is regularly reviewed as part of our practice governance.

Senior Health Connector (Health and Wellbeing Coach)

Hours: 27 hours

Salary: Equivalent to Agenda for change

Work Location: Based in Shepton Mallet, with regular days at our Frome office.

We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and proactive individual to join our friendly Health Connections team as a Senior Health Connector.

You may have experience in community development, health and social care, advice services, youth work, or a similar people-focused role. Strong communication skills are essential, and while experience using coaching or behaviour change approaches is essential, but further training to expand existing skills will be provided.

The role combines direct patient support with service leadership responsibilities. You will manage your own caseload, supporting patients one-to-one to identify goals, improve wellbeing and achieve personalised care plans through phone, face-to-face and home-based interventions. You will also facilitate groups that promote self-management, wellbeing and peer support.

As a senior member of the team, you will support the day-to-day operation and development of the Health Connections service, working closely with the Health Connections Operational Support Co-ordinator. This includes managing referral triage and case allocation, monitoring workloads, supporting service improvement initiatives, evidencing outcomes through audits and reporting, and acting as a key point of support for colleagues.

You will help lead team meetings, provide mentorship and induction for new staff, contribute to training delivery, and support the development of policies, referral pathways and operational procedures. You will also contribute to staff development through supervision, performance conversations and appraisal processes.

The successful candidate will be reflective, self-aware and committed to continuous professional development. Above all, they will enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and be passionate about helping individuals and communities improve their health and wellbeing.

Closing date for applications: 26^th October

Any questions please email Emma Fynn. Emma.fynn@nhs.net

Senior Health Connector Job Description.docx

PCN Application Form.doc

About the Health Connections Mendip service:

Health Connections Mendip is part of an innovative primary care model that is changing the way that health services, social care and local communities work together to help people stay well, manage health conditions effectively, avoid hospital admissions, prevent loneliness and isolation, and feel a sense of belonging within their local area. Health Connections Mendip supports members of the community in several ways, for example through:

·         Social prescribing; helping people to improve their health, wellbeing and social welfare by connecting them to community services. By increasing people’s active involvement with local diverse communities, personal and community resilience is strengthened - and health and wellbeing inequalities can be reduced.

·         Providing one to one health coaching, support and signposting to individuals, in the most appropriate way for them; this can be on the phone, in GP practices, in the community or in patients’ homes. 

·         Supporting people to better self-manage their health and wellbeing through interventions such as group education sessions and peer support groups. 

·         Working with a multi-disciplinary team on care planning for patients with complex health needs and their carers.

·         Providing a phone service that the public can call to find out information and be signposted to services and support.

·          Maintaining a Mendip-wide directory of services and support.

·         Identifying gaps in local service provision - and supporting individuals and groups to fill these gaps.

·         Supporting the set-up of community groups to help them become self-sustaining.

·         Supporting a range of local organisations and services to network and work together.

·         Setting up information-giving events.

·         Supporting and training members of the community under the Let’s Connect programme.