Welfare Officer

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of families of people in the military community? Are you a confident, self-starter with welfare experience? We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a team both internally and externally, is compassionate and passionate about supporting the Armed Forces Community.

DMWS is an international charity that has been providing medical welfare support to the Armed Forces Community for over 80 years.

We are now recruiting for a full time WO post based in Lothian at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh as part of an integrated NHS military community welfare team with a particular focus on issues which delay recovery and cause stress and anxiety. The WO will work closely with clinical teams across the NHS Lothian region to identify veterans and make teams aware of issues and concerns. The WO will coordinate with discharge hub coordinators who have strong links to the health and social care partnerships but no dedicated knowledge of the armed forces community or the many third sector organisations available to offer additional support to veterans and their families. Vital aspects of this role will include:

- Being a bridge between clinical leads including discharge teams and the Veteran patient
- Constructing networks with local community groups, statutory and third sector organisations - both military and non-military
- Identifying and building a rapport with Veterans to assess needs and concerns and then building the support package and making onward referrals or links to clinical teams
- offering emotional and practical support to identify and access solutions that will address the psychosocial factors impacting on recovery, discharge, and future health and wellbeing
- Capturing evidence of outcomes and proposing amendments to processes
- Increasing awareness of the issues faced by the armed forces community from the perspective of Veterans and also Serving community - what can be done to improve the pathways

Working as part of a team you will be supporting the military and military families both when in hospital (inpatient and outpatient) or in the community. All DMWS Welfare Officers need to be prepared to be mobile and deployable. Additionally, you should be willing to work flexibly to meet job demands.

In return, you will be working within a dynamic organisation, making a real difference and receiving great benefits, including 30 days leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, enhanced sick pay, up to 6% matched pension contributions, death in service benefits, access to Smarthealth with a 24/7 virtual GP Service and great training opportunities.

Benefits include:

- 30 days leave plus bank holidays calculated pro-rata
- Mileage paid between locations (45p per mile)
- Enhanced sick pay
- Up to 6% matched pension contributions
- Death in service benefits
- Great training opportunities
- £25 contribution towards eye tests and a contribution of £50 towards glasses. (As long as they are only needed for DSE use and not otherwise needed on a standard prescription).
- Enhanced maternity / paternity / adoption family friendly benefits.

For more information on the position please read our Welfare Officer Job Description - NHS Lothian on our website.