JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: / Information OfficerAccountable To: / Director
Accountable For: / Volunteers
Working With: / General Public
Members
Volunteers
Allied Health Professionals
Location: / NASS
Head Office
Unit 0.2, One Victoria Villas
RichmondSurrey TW9 2GW
Hours: / Full time (35 hours)
SalaryRange: / £23,000 - £25,000
Closing Date: / 30 October 2009
Interviews: / November 2009
Proposed Start Date: / Immediate
Background
NASS is the leading charity dedicated to helping people with ankylosing spondylitis, a progressive inflammatory arthritic disease. Our mission is to provide information, support and resources for AS patients and their families and to campaign on behalf of patients to improve health services.
Purpose of role
The Information Officer will be the first point of contact for people and their families or carers with ankylosing spondylitis and will ensure callers receive relevant, accurate and up to date information and support in relation to education, exercise, medication, work, benefits and other issues relating to ankylosing spondylitis.The Information Officer will also be involved in a variety of projects with allied health professionals and research institutions to raise the profile of AS and for the development of additional resource materials.
This post would suit someone who has had experience in a similar environment, in a specific disease area and/or someone who has an understanding of the workings of the NHS.
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THE NATIONAL ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS SOCIETY
Unit 0.2 One Victoria Villas Richmond Surrey TW9 2GW
Tel: 020 8948 9117 Fax: 020 8940 7736 Website: email: Reg. Charity No. 272258
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Key Tasks
- To respond to telephone and email enquiries providing up-to-date and relevant information and support to people with AS.
- To research and provide evidence-based information on AS in response to enquiries.
- To develop and maintain a system for all information materials including the reorganisation of existing information sources (both hardcopy and electronic).
- To help review, write, produce and update content for the charity’s publications and website.
- To create, maintain and update a caller/information database.
- Act in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and maintain caller confidentiality and compile accurate records in line with data protection
- To liaise with, support and train patient volunteers with AS who will provide information based on personal experience.
- To liaise with external organisations whose information may be disseminated by the information officer and ensure the information is up to date and relevant.
- To identify issues and concerns affecting people with AS and theirfamilies and ensure that these are highlighted internally.
- Undertake training identified as necessary.
- To undertake such other tasks as may reasonably be required.
- To encourage people to be supporters of NASS
Application Procedure
Applicants are invited to forward their CV together with a covering letter outlining their relevant experience and suitability for this rolebeforeFriday 30 October 2009 by email to or by post to:
Ingrid van der Weide
Assistant Director
NASS
Unit 0.2, One Victoria Villas
Richmond, Surrey, TW9 2GW
Please ensure your name is recorded on every page of your application including covering letter and CV.
Due to limited resources we are unable to reply to every applicant. If you have not heard from us by the Friday 13 November2009 you may assume your application has not been successful.
THE NATIONAL ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS SOCIETY
Unit 0.2 One Victoria Villas Richmond Surrey TW9 2GW
Tel: 020 8948 9117 Fax: 020 8940 7736 Website: email: Reg. Charity No. 272258
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job titleInformation Officer
Essential/DesirableCriteria
Education and training
- Degree or equivalent or very targeted experience
- Willingness to undertake training and continuing professional development
- Evidence of some form of formal training in management or equivalent appreciation of the principles of management practice gained through experience
- A qualification in information management
Experience
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak and write clearly and professionally using a high standard of written English
- Experience of using industry standard IT systems (e.g. Microsoft Office, Email, Internet etc)
- Experience of working as part of a diverse team
- Experience of liaising with health, social or voluntary sector organisations
- A working knowledge of inflammatory arthritis
- An understanding of the workings of the NHS
- Experience of recruiting, training and supporting volunteers
Special abilities
- Ability to quickly and easily assimilate and understand a range of routine and complex information, presented in a range of formats
- Ability to promote the Society in a professional manner at all times
- Ability to work with and maintain relationships with people at all levels both internally and externally to the organisation as appropriate
- Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and autonomy but have an awareness of when to share problems and seek advice
- Ability to write clear and concise reports within agreed timelines
- Ability to manage own time and where appropriate the time of others effectively
Other requirements
- Empathy with people affected by ankylosing spondylitis
- Prepared to adopt a flexible approach to working patterns and arrangements
- Commitment to the principles of equal opportunities and diversity
- To have a clear understanding of and commitment to the aims of the Society
- Experience and knowledge of health and safety
THE NATIONAL ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS SOCIETY
Unit 0.2 One Victoria Villas Richmond Surrey TW9 2GW
Tel: 020 8948 9117 Fax: 020 8940 7736 Website: email: Reg. Charity No. 272258
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Contract / PermanentProbation / This appointment is subject to a 6month probation period.
References / This appointment is subject to receipt of 2 satisfactory references, both from previous employers.
Criminal Records Bureau / Due to the nature of the duties that you will be expected to undertake, you will not be required to undertake a CRB check at this time. However, you will be asked to complete a criminal record disclosure.
Health and Safety / NASS is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment.
Equal Opportunities / NASS is committed to equal opportunities. All procedures and activities comply with legislation and best practice as determined by our Equal Opportunities Policy and Diversity and Equality Policy.
Annual Leave / 25 days leave per year.
Training and Development / You will be encouraged to attend both in-house and external training and development activities to supportyou in your role. Financial support for external training may be available as appropriate.
Induction / NASS is committed to staff induction.This is an ongoing process from date of commencement in post.
THE NATIONAL ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS SOCIETY
Unit 0.2 One Victoria Villas Richmond Surrey TW9 2GW
Tel: 020 8948 9117 Fax: 020 8940 7736 Website: email: Reg. Charity No. 272258