Job summaryThe care navigator role is non-clinical, working out of the primary care network hub based in Southampton providing information to patients primarily over the age of 65 registered at the primary care network GP practices.Care navigation entails supporting patients referred by the healthcare team to access the most appropriate service through the health and social care system. This service promotes a self-managed approach to ensure patient and carer is at the centre.We offer flexible working, a supportive and collaborative working environment, opportunities to progress within primary care, a cycle to work scheme and other benefits. We are not looking for experience necessarily, offering an exciting opportunity for you to learn and grow within the healthcare sector making a difference to peoples lives.Monday to Friday (30 hours)For further information about this post please contact admin.espn@nhs.net.Main duties of the jobThe care navigator role is developmental in nature and continues to evolve over the duration of the operational period based in the GP Practices. As post holders will be visiting patients in their own homes (primarily over the age of 65), they will need to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to working in a dynamic environment.The care navigator will work as part of the model of delivering co-ordinated care, through the integrated care teams to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care. The post is a supportive role to the health and social care professionals who will take the lead and responsibility for the clinical and social care provided to the patient.The care navigator will work with other professionals to ensure wellbeing plans are delivered from all parties to fulfil the patients requirements and to navigate the health and social care system with the patients/carer. Providing a point of regular contact for the patient and their carer, acting as a bridge between social care, health care and voluntary sectors.The role of the care navigator is pivotal in supporting a self-management approach to care ensuring the patient and carer is at the centre and an active part of the holistic care approach. As part of the GP surgery team and wider primary care network team, a care navigator will work with the voluntary services in the local community and signpost patients to services depending on their needs, liaising with adult services if necessary.About usEastleigh Southern Parishes Network Ltd. is a federation of 2 local practices including, Blackthorn Health Centre and Hedge End Surgery, who are working together to share resources, skills & experience to provide cost effective, patient-centered health care for all patients in the Eastleigh Southern Parishes area.We aim to develop accessible and high quality health services to people in Eastleigh Southern Parishes whilst supporting General practice and the NHS through collaboration with Commissioners and other providers of Health and Social Care.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo perform specific day to day tasks associated with care navigation including:To meet with (or telephone) the patient/carer in a mutually convenient location including but not restricted to the patients/carers home, hospital, or GP surgery.To support patients in completing a wellbeing plan to ensure appropriate referrals are made, identifying clear needs and goals.Co-ordinate the delivery of the wellbeing plan and ensure that the agreed interventions are actioned through onward signposting to the appropriate service. Examples of services and support patients/carers could be signposted to include, lunch clubs, social groups, befriending services, GP, volunteering schemes, social care, and urgent community responses, including other healthcare professionals within the primary care networks.Explain and help the patient and their carer understand the processes and systems within the NHS and statutory sector. For example, how to refer to the occupational therapy team or adult services for a care needs assessment.Keep up to date with NHS and community services through pro-active networking to ensure individuals are aware.Devise a strategy with the patient and their carer to enable patients to lead more independent lives, reducing their need to engage health and social services.Act as the coordinator between different agencies involved with the patients/carers to ensure joined up and seamless care.Enable the patient and their carer to liaise with professionals from secondary and primary care and the wider integrated care team.Person SpecificationQualificationsEssentialDemonstrable commitment to professional and personal development.DesirableNVQ Level 3, Advanced level or equivalent qualifications or working towards.Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experienceSkills and KnowledgeEssentialKnowledge of the personalised care approach.Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities.Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reportsDesirableKnowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality.ExperienceEssentialExperience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.DesirableExperience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work)Experience of supporting people, their families and carers in a related role (including unpaid work)Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.Experience of data collection and providing monitoring information to assess the impact of services.OtherEssentialMeets DBS reference standards and has a clear criminal record, in line with the law on spent convictions.Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality on a regular basis, including to visit people in their own homes.The post holder will be required to travel between practices in the locality.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Employer detailsEmployer nameEastleigh Southern Parishes Network LtdAddressESP Primary Care HubLowford CentreSouthamptonHampshireSO31 8ESEmployer's websitehttps://www.espnetwork.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)