Health Patient Ambassador

**Job Summary/Main purpose of the job**:
Hamara HLC are currently recruiting a Patient Ambassador to provide Social Prescribing support to patients registered across 12 GP Surgeries in Burmantofts, Harehills and Richmond Hill Primary Care Network (BHR PCN).

Social Prescribing empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing through quality referral and signposting, connecting people to community groups/organisations and statutory services for practical and emotional support. Patient Ambassadors dedicate time, focus on _What Matters To Me_ and take a holistic approach when assessing and addressing patient need.

Social prescribing can help to strengthen community resilience and personal resilience, and reduces health inequalities by addressing the wider determinants of health, such as debt, poor housing and physical inactivity, by increasing people’s active involvement with their local communities. Social Prescribing particularly works for people with long-term conditions (including support for low-level mental health), for people who are lonely or isolated, or have complex social needs which affect their wellbeing. This role is suitable for people who are able to work in a fast paced environment alongside other PCN and general practice colleagues. The post holder will need to work flexibly with a holistic approach.

**About us**

This is an exciting opportunity to join an established Personalised Care Team, in the BHR PCN which encompasses Care Coordinators, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, Mental Health Practioner and Children’s and Young Person’s Patient Ambassador.

Hamara HLC stands out as a beacon within the community and voluntary sector, currently delivering several different strands of work including: Health Promotion, Youth Activities, Older People’s Services, Saturday Supplementary School, Learning Disabilities, Education and Employment & Training Programmes.

BHR PCN is a network of 12 GP practices covering the geographical area of Burmantofts, Harehills and Richmond Hill, with a common goal of improving the health of our local population, a significant number of whom experience multiple deprivations. Our vision is to collaborate with community statutory and non-statutory bodies for the benefit of our patients. Informed by data, we work to reduce inequalities, enable practices to be sustainable and make a positive difference to our patients’ lives.

You will be expected to work across a number of GP Practices, with a set patient population, alongside both the clinical and non-clinical staff, to meet the needs of patients by providing direct care using established guidelines. Further ongoing support is provided through both local and countrywide governance and peer support groups. Additional professional development in line with the individuals needs will be available with shadowing, e-learning, relevant courses/conferences and higher level training opportunities being supported.

**Employees will have access to the following benefits**:

- Bright HR employee discount and benefits scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free Parking on company premises when available
- Reimbursement of work expenses (work related mileage and parking)
- Enrolment to the NHS pension scheme
- Annual leave of 25 days per year, plus 8 days bank holiday

**Responsibilities/Main Duties**:
This is an innovative role designed to work in an outcome focused way to improve peoples quality of life, health and wellbeing by recognising that this can be affected by a range of social, economic and environmental factors. Supporting patients and their carers to achieve their personal aspirations, participate in their local and wider communities, enhance effective personal support networks, enabling individuals to maintain healthy lifestyles; and lead independent and fulfilled lives.

You will develop links with local communities and VCS to ensure delivery of integrated, patient focused care, demonstrating flexibility in the role, and a caring attitude towards patients.

You will have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills together with a good working knowledge of primary care and the challenges facing patient care in the NHS.

You will work individually with patients in a variety of settings such as GP practices, community settings and home visits.

**Main Tasks**:

- Receiving and actioning referrals from a wide range of agencies: GP practices, pharmacies, multi-disciplinary teams, hospital discharge teams, allied health professionals, fire service, police, social care services, housing associations, and voluntary organisations. (List not exhaustive).
- Working with adults with mild to moderate mental health, learning disabilities, anxiety and depression. Providing personalised support to individuals, their families and carers to enable them to take control of their wellbeing live independently and improve their health outcomes. Develop trusting relationships by giving people time and