Health Improvement Practitioner

Job summary Up to hours per week.Anexciting opportunity has arisen to join the Falls Prevention Team within theLivewell Southwest Wellbeing services.Youwill contribute to reducing falls and fall-related injuries across Plymouth,supporting older adults to live their best lives; utilising behaviour changeskills to support engagement and longer-term adherence to physical activity,specific falls prevention programmes and other health improvement programmessupported by the team.Youwill have experience of delivering exercise and a willingness to learn and gainnew falls prevention exercise delivery skills which will include the completionof the Postural Stability Instructor course.
This will enable us to expand ourFaME (Falls and Management Exercise) programme delivery across Plymouth toprogressively improve participants strength, balance and physical function.Thepost holder will also be responsible for conducting multifactorial assessmentsfor appropriate individuals, referring to and working in close collaborationwith physiotherapists and therapy support workers within the team, the widermulti-disciplinary team and partner organisationsThisrole is a 2 year fixed term contract.Interviewdate: Tuesday 28th January 2025Thisrole may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, pleaserefer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards toeligibility.
Main duties of the job The Falls Prevention Teamare responsible for the delivery of multifactorial falls risk assessments forolder adults, who are at risk or who have fallen, the delivery of group-basedstrength and balance classes - Falls Management Exercise (FaME) and one to oneinterventions.
They play a preventative role by spreading the message of theimportance of strength and balance exercises and other evidence-based fallsprevention activities.Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall.
Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration.
We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place.
Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships.
Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.
If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description Job responsibilities Job responsibilitiesDUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIESAfter competency-based training,conduct multifactorial falls risk assessments with appropriate individuals whohave been identified at risk of falling, or who have fallen.Provide basic falls preventioninterventions and onward referrals.To deliver the FaME (FallsManagement Exercise) programme upon completion of the Postural StabilityInstructor course.To take responsibility for allaspects of FaME group delivery and management, as directed by theprotocols/Standard Operating Procedures.To work under the indirectsupervision of a Registered Practitioner.Carry out one-to-oneinterventions for behavior change after appropriate training.Liaise with partners to helpreach target populations and communities.Actively seek out Hard to Reachpopulations and help them to engage in healthy lifestyle initiatives.Actively seek out LivewellSouthwest teams who would benefit from Wellbeing training and who can helpdeliver brief interventions and referral to the Wellbeing Team.Contribute to the delivery offalls prevention training programmes for other professionals /interestedparties internally and externally.Contribute at network meetingsand team events.Monitor and evaluate outcomesvia processes, procedures, and systems.Give feedback on performance andlocal intelligence to senior management team.Ensure that all stakeholdersreceive up-to-date information on a wide range of health improvement topics.Support health fairs, and othercommunity engagement events to deliver health promotion and briefinterventions.Contribute to the communicationsand marketing strategy by collecting case studies and photos.Develop fact sheets andresources.Contribute to research anddevelopment as directed.Act as a Health Champion, MakingEvery Contact Count.Be up to date with a range ofhealth improvement topics through competency-based learning.
Person Specification Knowledge Essential Knowledge and understanding of the psychology of behaviour change.
Knowledge of the benefits of health improvement interventions.
Understanding of determinants of health and health inequalities.
Understanding and commitment to Community Development approaches.
Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology.
Desirable Knowledge of the benefits of undertaking strength and balance training to prevent falls.
Knowledge of relevant physical activity guidelines and NICE guidance relating to older adults.
Awareness of sources of up-to-date relevant data/information , national and local guidance relating to health promotion interventions.
Additional requirements Essential Full current driving licence and access to a car or other appropriate form of transport.
Flexible hours.
Team player.
Experience Essential Experience of community health promotion work.
Experience and ability to work on a one-to-one basis and with local groups on specific health initiatives.
Demonstrable experience of working with a wide range of people and groups.
Experience of working with and sustaining partnerships with statutory, public, private and community voluntary sector.
Desirable Quantitative and/or qualitative research.
Experience of leading/developing and implementing Health Promotion Initiatives.
Demonstrable experience of delivering physical activity/exercise programmes to a range of people, ideally older adults.
Experience in falls prevention/working with frailer older adults.
Qualifications Essential NVQ level 3 in health or relevant subject and evidence of experience to diploma level or equivalent.
Endorsed exercise qualification, or equivalent experience and knowledge.
Desirable Level 3 Exercise Referral qualification, or equivalent.
Postural Stability Instructor (PSI) certificate (Later Life Training).
Member of CIMPSA (if exercise professional).
Evidence of continuing professional/personal development in health improvements/ behaviour change/public health.
Specific Skills Essential Able to deliver training sessions in group sessions using effective leadership and facilitation skills.
Ability to sustain good working relationships with local people, colleagues, external organisations and partnerships.
Ability to self-motivate and motivate people to effect behaviour change.
Ability to prioritise plan and manage workload.
Monitoring analysis and evaluation of projects.
Multi-media communication and presentation skills.
Development of health education resources.
IT literate.
Desirable Data analysis and interpretation.
Budgetary management.