VAB Job number 326

Healthwatch Signposting, Intelligence and Communications Assistant

Job Description

Title:Healthwatch Signposting, Intelligence and Communications Assistant

Salary Scale:

Hours of work:15 Hours P/W

Responsible to:Healthwatch Manager

Background: The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (HSCA 2012) amends the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to replace current public and patient engagement mechanism, the Local Involvement Network (LINk), with a new body called Local Healthwatch.

The aim of Local Healthwatch in Barnsley will be to give local people a stronger voice to influence and challenge how Health and Social Care services are commissioned and provided across the Borough.

Local Healthwatch will also:

  • Provide or signpost people to information to help them understand their choices about the health and social care services they receive.
  • Signpost people to the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) should they wish to complain about the services they have received.

Main Purpose

The Healthwatch Signposting, Intelligence and Communications Assistants role is to:

1.To undertake desk based research on issues related to Health and Social Care Services Barnsley

2.To work closely with the Healthwatch Communications lead and develop and act on communication plans to ensure that Healthwatch Barnsley engages effectively with partners, stakeholders and the wider community

3.To respond to and track signposting enquiries to a resolution.

Main Duties and responsibilities

To monitor information received from the care quality commission on services rated as inadequate and requires improvement and cross reference this intelligence with the intelligence held on our feedback centre.

Responding to requests for information made by Healthwatch England, Health and social Care regulatory services and to inform reviews being undertaken by service providers and commissioners.

To support the Communications lead in the production of publications for a range of research, opinion forming and decision-making audiences to communicate with stakeholders in a clear and meaningful way.

To work closely with the outreach, adult and children’s engagement officers to ensure consistency in approach and message.

To administer and develop the Healthwatch CiviCRM system to meet the information needs of the Healthwatch Barnsley.

To liaise with Healthwatch England and the CRM developer to ensure that use of the system locally is consistent with agreed practice nationally and contribute to the ongoing development of the system by Healthwatch England.

To be responsible for ensuring data such as contact information, comments and feedback, activity records, events, and other information is high quality and consistent and uploaded to the database error-free within agreed timescales.

To be self-motivated and able to work autonomously, effectively planning individual workload, producing action plans and systems of internal reporting where appropriate.

To ensure that the views of service users and carers from all groups are moderated before appearing on the Healthwatch Barnsley Feedback Centre, making sure to omit any personal details including the names of health professionals.

To work closely with the outreach worker to coordinate signposting activities

To work as part of the Healthwatch team and support them in additional functions as per the Healthwatch service level agreement.

To take part in quarterly supervision and appraisal sessions, undertake training and personal development opportunities as identified with the Healthwatch Manager.

To be able to work regular evenings and weekends when required.

To keep up to date with local, regional and national developments in health and social care and inform Healthwatch as appropriate.

To undertake other duties as required, commensurate with the level of qualification and experience brought to the post.

To contribute to all Healthwatch events such as the Annual General Meeting, workshops and focus groups.

To provide some administration support to the team as and when required.

To be self-motivated and able to work autonomously, effectively planning individual workload, producing action plansand systems of internal reporting where appropriate.

To ensure that the views of service users and carers from all groups are moderated before appearing on the Feedback Centre making sure to omit any personal details including the names of Health professionals.

To work closely with the Outreach worker to coordinate signposting activities.

To work as part of the Healthwatch team and support them in additional functions as per the Healthwatch service level agreement.

To take part in quarterly supervision and appraisal sessions, undertake training and personal development opportunities as identified with the Healthwatch Manager.

To be able to work regular evenings and weekends when required.

Establish relationships with statutory partner’s communications and intelligence teams and Local Healthwatch in other areas to share information, learning and good practice where appropriate.

To attend and contribute patient opinion at meetings as directed by your line manager

To keep up to date with local, regional and national developments in health and social care and to inform Healthwatch as appropriate.

To undertake other duties as required, commensurate with the level of qualification and experience brought to the post.

To contribute to all Healthwatch events such as the Annual General Meeting, workshops and focus groups.

VAB Job number 326

Person Specification

Requirement / Essential / Desirable
1. Abilities /
  • IT literate and numerate with the ability to produce professional documents.
  • Confident telephone manner
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to self-manage and able to meet deadlines.
  • Good time management and organisational skills
  • Competent minute taker
  • Flexible and able to handle a variety of tasks
/
  • Experience of desk top publishing
  • Experience of working with databases and customer relationship management packages
  • Experience of working with volunteers
  • Understanding of confidentiality and data protection
  • Ability to deal with basic IT problems
  • Experience of creating/maintaining efficient office management systems
  • Experience of writing communications and press releases.
  • Experience of updating websites and social media

2. Qualifications / Knowledge /
  • Currently undertaking qualifications in or proven experience of implementing and delivering administrative or communication, marketing functions.
  • Able to deal with difficult situations and provide a friendly and objective service.
/
  • Knowledge of structures in the field of health or social care.
  • Awareness of key local issues in health and social care.
  • Knowledge of the Voluntary and community sector.

3. Personal Qualities /
  • High levels of accuracy and an eye for detail.
  • Proactive approach to work activities with a commitment to team working
  • Flexibility to work outside normal hours.
  • DBS checks will be required
  • A commitment to the aims and principles of Healthwatch Barnsley
  • An understanding of equal opportunities and an ability to implement this ethos in a practical, non-judgemental way throughout your work.
  • Commitment to promoting equality and diversity.

VAB Job number 208