Homeless Health Liaison Officer

Job overview

The KHP Homeless Health team works across the Kings Health Partner in-patient and Accident Emergency Services to provide advocacy, support and quality discharge interventions for patients experiencing homelessness who are attending or admitted to any of the Kings Health Partner hospitals. The team currently operates within the Kings College, PRUH, St. Thomas and Guys Hospitals. Kings College Hospital NHS foundation Trust will be the host for this position .

The KHP Homeless Health team works to ensure that patients experiencing homelessness have discharges from hospital that are as safe as possible and effective in a way that prevents re-admissions and improves long term health outcomes. The team connects patients with primary care services, mental health services and addictions support, medication concordance support, screening and vaccination services.

The post holder will be engaged in partnership working including primary care NHS services, GP’s and practice nurses, Local Authority housing departments, Drug/alcohol and mental health services, Social Care and Voluntary Sector organisations.

This post is open to individuals from nursing, social work and allied health professional backgrounds, with specialist knowledge in homeless health. They will be required to provide expert advice and education drawing from their professional skillset for other members of the team and wider hospital colleagues.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of a dedicated multidisciplinary team, aiming to improve housing and health outcomes for patients experiencing homelessness.

To support the KHP Homeless Health Service (PRUH) in building successful relationships between key professionals and outside agencies.

To implement the delivery of quality holistic assessment, planning and interventions to contribute to the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of patients.

Provide tailored, specialist advice for both patients and hospital colleagues around issues associated with homelessness.

To communicate effectively and efficiently whilst liaising with other members of the multi-disciplinary and wider hospital team, ensuring that patients receive seamless care within the trust.

Ensure robust risk assessment and care planning processes are undertaken by the team.

Supporting the trust in its compliance with completing the ‘Duty to Refer’ referrals to Local Authorities’ as per the Housing Act 2018.

Ensure that patients are valued as individuals, and their respect and dignity is maintained at all times and that the care provided respects equality and diversity.

To develop and maintain effective channels of communication with the Transfer of Care Bureau and wider PRUH services

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Quality

Facilitate a high-quality, cost-effective specialist service through monitoring and audit and other quality initiatives agreed by the Trust.

participate in key developments, policies and guidance relating to homeless health to promote the service

Identify gaps in knowledge and provide teaching and training for junior staff, students and wider hospital teams to improve the quality of care delivered for patients experiencing homelessness.

Work within the Trust’s HR policies on all staffing matters, including sickness, capability and disciplinary issues.

Participate in appraisals and the setting of objectives for junior staff in the department to enable them to achieve optimal effectiveness and to understand their contribution to the directorate.

To ensure the head of service/line manager is informed when changes to circumstances may affect safe competent practice.

Service Delivery and improvement

Ensure that the delivery of care to all patients is in line with best practice

Support innovative methods to gain patient and public involvement to inform service direction, improvement, user satisfaction and as a tool for performance management.

Contribute to the development of Directorate and Trust policies, procedures and clinical guidelines and ensure adherence by self and ward team.

Be proactive in the risk assessment, management, clinical incident reporting and management of complaints.

To record and report all incidents, accidents and complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with the Trust policies and initiate investigations as required.

To participate in, and comply with, the Trust’s framework for clinical governance within the department area.

Administrative

Monitor and maintain project information management systems

Maintain data collection systems that will provide accurate and timely data, including quantitative and qualitative data.

Interpret policies and protocols that are consistent with Trust standards.

Maintain up to date knowledge of a range of skills including service improvement techniques and be responsible for developing and maintaining own CPD programme.

General

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

We want to be an organisation where everyone shares a commitment to delivering the very best care and feels like their contribution is valuable and valued.

At King’s we are a kind, respectful team:

Kind . We show compassion and understanding and bring a positive attitude to our work

Respectful . We promote equality, are inclusive and honest, speaking up when needed

Team . We support each other, communicate openly, and are reassuringly professional

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.

To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.

Everyone is responsible for promoting inclusion no matter their role or team. At King’s, we want to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and welcomed

Safeguarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

• attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
• familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
• reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Bachelors Degree in appropriate healthcare profession or substantial and equivalent knowledge, skills and experience within the homelessness/housing sector
• Evidence of on-going professional development in relevant area of speciality

Desirable criteria

• Certificated speciality courses in mental health, substance misuse or Trauma informed care.
• Membership of appropriate special interest groups within homeless health and health inclusion

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working with people experiencing homelessness combined with tri-morbid health conditions
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment and knowledge of methods to develop culturally sensitive practice
• Knowledge of relevant legislation associated with adults at risk and homelessness

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of the role and function of other organisations providing services to people with complex health issues and experiencing homelessness

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Excellent interpersonal communication (Written, oral, presentation, facilitation), networking and negotiation skills
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability the ability to meet deadlines and delegate effectively
• Work flexibly and an ability to prioritise workload to ensure risk is appropriately mitigated and responsive to changing demands
• Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and how this affects changing demands and requirements

Desirable criteria

• Ability to deliver training and presentations to internal and external stakeholders

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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