Job Description
MSK Community Link Specialist
Accountable to Head of Community Support Services
Hours of work 37 hours per week
Based in West Sussex
Purpose of the job:
Duration of the Contract: Permanent
Main responsibilities
To enable people with/at risk of developing musculoskeletal conditions (for example, arthritis, back and neck pain, foot and ankle injuries) and their carers to be more physically active in the community.
Understand the barriers and opportunities for people to self-manage their conditions in the community.
To work closely with partners in the Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS), health and social care to identify the activities, services, information and approaches that support self-management.
The role is hosted by Age UK as a resource working across Mid Sussex, Horsham and Crawley.
The implementation of a social prescribing model is central to this role. It will enable health services to connect people to a range of non-clinical activities and services provided locally. The project will provide:
· specialist local knowledge to enable speedy referral to local services
· information and support to help people increase their physical activity levels and enable lifestyle change
· enhanced local connections to improve people’s health and wellbeing
· a framework for self-management approaches and pathways in the community
· facilitated service user involvement in creating information for self-management
This is a pilot project and is taking a development approach to learning through doing. Flexibility and the ability to reflect, adapt, learn and share with the wider self-management team is key to the Community Link Specialist role.
Main Tasks
Client-facing
To work with an identified cohort of people with/at risk of developing musculoskeletal conditions and their carers to assist them in support planning for self-management. This will include a particular focus on older people and people from BME communities.
To take a person-centred and ‘whole family’ approach (including informal carers) to support planning and the development of community based support and action plans.
To work with the pilot cohort, health professionals and the CVS to understand the barriers to self-management and co-design potential solutions.
To identify and, where possible, plug gaps and suggest options that could be included in support plans.
To ensure accurate records are kept and maintained.
To develop appropriate review channels and mechanisms with the pilot cohort.
Stakeholder engagement
To engage people with/at risk of developing musculoskeletal conditions and their carers, clinicians, CVS organisations and other stakeholders, securing their support and involvement with the project where relevant.
To work alongside clinicians and other stakeholders to enhance their understanding and awareness of the services and activities currently being provided by the CVS, private sector and others where relevant.
To engage clinicians and other key stakeholders with the person-centred approach and practice. To influence existing processes and procedures where relevant and work towards solutions based on the pilot cohort’s needs and priorities.
Learning and development
To feed into the research and learning structures in the self-management programme and help develop best practice across the three CCG areas (Brighton & Hove, Crawley and Horsham, Mid-Sussex).
To attend, report to and contribute to Community Link Specialist meetings, delivery partner meetings, co-design and information events and all other internal meetings and training events as necessary.
To contribute to the development of clear pathways, criteria, and referral routes to ensure clinicians understand how to access CVS support.
To identify opportunities for referrals for people that could most benefit from CVS support.
To engage in structures for ongoing monitoring, evaluation and adaption of the work, including developing case studies and other evidence where relevant.
To develop accessible publicity to raise awareness of the project with service users and the programme co-ordinator.
Work in partnership with other voluntary organisations and statutory organisations.
Encourage uptake from hard to reach individuals and groups. Promote the service and raise awareness.
Ensure the project maintains accurate and up to date records to enable the service to be monitored and evaluated appropriately.
Undertake any other duties appropriate within the role as may be reasonably required by Head of Community Support Services.
To liaise with statutory agencies and other voluntary organizations as necessary to support customer’s needs including making onward referrals.
To ensure the service operates at all times in line with the relevant Health and Safety regulations including statutory requirements and the AUKWS Policies and Procedures.
Be mindful at all times of the health and safety of staff, customers. Helpers and volunteers at all times and bring any concerns or suggestions for improvement to the line manager.
Maintain an understanding and compliance with AUKWS Policies and Procedures.
To ensure service provision is within the framework of ISO 9001 and any other quality standards or good practice guidelines.
Person specification MSK Community Link Specialist
Essential / DesirableHave good communication skills including oral and written to include presentations and case recording. / Have experience of working with or supporting vulnerable people
Have a good understanding of the needs of older peoples and experience of relevant statutory authorities, options for care and other relevant care and support services / Have experience of community based work in various settings/locations.
Be able to maintain accurate records and produce appropriate monitoring data as required / Have experience of working with older people
High level of Competency in administrative ability and IT skills and use / Experience of Partnership working
Knowledge and experience of West Sussex Voluntary and other sectors providing care and social support / Experience of home visiting and best practice for lone working
Effective organizational skills including information, resources and time management including planning and prioritizing workload. / Ability to promote and market new initiatives within clinical settings
Ability to provide and assimilate information to people with diverse support needs. / Knowledge of social prescribing models and practice and person- centred support planning
Effective problem solving skills that supports a “can do approach” within the service and when supporting people with care and social support needs / Knowledge and experience of action research methodolgy
Highly developed interpersonal skills with experienced development and entrepreneurial skills.
Have a flexible approach to work encompassing some unsociable hours to accommodate relevant events
Full driving license and use of car to facilitate regular travel within Mid Sussex Crawley and Horsham