Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit an enthusiastic, compassionate and highly motivated Physical Health Support Worker to work across Central Dorset and the Dorchester locality.

The main role of this job is to provide annual physical health checks for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness (SMI) by conducting a range of physical observations and health promotion interventions as well as signposting individuals to services to improve their physical health and set goals with individuals to help improve their physical health.

The role will require to build relationships with people who may struggle to access support for their health needs and will require trying different and proactive ways of inviting people for an annual physical health check.

We are looking for an individual who feels a desire to make a positive contribution to improving the physical health for people living with SMI within primary and secondary services and support them in accessing appropriate level of care.

We offer a high-quality training covering core mental health awareness, physical health promotion and behaviour change for people living with SMI. You will have protected time to access relevant training and appropriate supervision and opportunities for reflective practice as well as access to multidisciplinary team structures as part of continued development.

Main duties of the job

This post is primarily working autonomously within several GP practices within the Central Locality of West Dorset however, you will be based within the Dorchester CMHT for support and supervision, a peer supportive Community team who put this support and learning as a main part of team practice.

The Trust offer various training opportunities as they arise, both generic and role specific.

The post holder will:

• Coordinate and manage comprehensive physical health assessments for designated individuals on the GP practice mental health register.  Work closely with physical health leads in community mental health team(s) (CMHT) and primary care (PC) services. 
• Work with clinicians and attend relevant clinical meetings across primary and secondary care. 
• Work with individuals and relevant staff through the process to develop physical health care goals and plans to promote and encourage self-management of physical health. 

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.  Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Working for our organisation

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.