Weight Management Health Improvement Practitioner

Job overview

The Weight Management Single Point of Access (SPOA) shall be provided as a pilot service for a duration of 18 months.

The SPOA shall serve as the gateway to appropriate interventions for weight management support across Devon.

The team will be the receiving centre for all referrals relating to weight management in the region.

Main duties of the job

To support the clinical triage of referrals, risk assessment and safeguarding concerns within the service, managing onward referral process for some complex service users.

Contact referrals to discuss referral options, ensure that all service users receive up-to-date information on a wide range of health improvement programmes, with a primary focus on weight management initiatives.

Provide support to service users through health coaching conversations to help them navigate potentially complex referral options.

To provide support to the Single Point of Access team and patients who are referred into the service.

Support with screening of patient questionnaires to aid appropriate signposting for onward care.

Managing referrals through the electronic referral system (ERS), ensuring that referrals are actioned within expected timeframes. Using ERS to generate reports for commissioners and service.

Supporting audit and evaluation of Single Point of Access pilot programme

Day-to-day management of Health Improvement Coordinators

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Raise awareness amongst the population of Devon around available support. Demonstrate improvements in public perception, increase engagement and demonstrate the impact of services by sharing real, positive user experiences on social platforms. Contribute to marketing and communication of Weight Management Services.

Design, produce and deliver appropriate evidence informed resources, including presentations to the wider team and relevant stakeholder partners.

Help target audiences to become more aware of available support through relatable examples

Highlight experiences and outcomes making services feel approachable and personal

Help to build trust in the local services and approach

Promote non-judgemental approaches to weight management for example, diverse body types, neutral supportive language (e.g., supporting your health rather than lose weight), addressing social determinants of health (e.g., access to food and healthcare instead of framing it as purely personal responsibility)

Use authentic stories of people who have improved their health by focusing on self-care

Distribute screening questionnaires to patients referred into the service to support appropriate signposting of services.

Actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings and partnerships to identify and address health inequalities and service gaps. Meet regularly with stakeholders to understand needs and raise awareness of services.

Use effective negotiation skills to engage with service users, supporting them to access services most appropriate for them. Service users will not always be eligible for the services they require, and the postholder will be required to have well developed communication skills and the ability to have challenging conversations.

Have conversations with service users where there may be communication difficulties and barriers to understanding.

To act as a link to improve communication and access between primary care, specialist services, service users and carers and non-statutory providers, to enhance team working and care delivery.

Complete Stakeholder engagement to increase access to service through a partnership approach.