Job Title: Health Support Officer – BOTP and IPA
Reporting To: Volunteer Centre Manager
Employer: Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC)
Main Purpose of Role:
DLDC aims to work with people displaced from Ukraine as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) and other International Protection Applicants (IPA) who have come to Donegal. The Health Support Officer will support and empower individuals and the community to build their capacities for the enhancement and improvement of the health & wellbeing and integration into the community.
They will be required to meet with individuals and their representatives on a one to one setting and/or a group setting to provide advice, guidance and development support.
Conditions of Work:
* The Health Support Officer will be required to work 35 hours a week.
* Performance in role will be discussed throughout the period of cover.
* This contract term is of fixed term duration up to 31st December 2024.
* Note that funding is confirmed to this point, and continuation of this post is subject to funding.
Salary: Project Officer level remuneration
Main Duties:
1. Explore and discuss health matters, issues and access to services, and support Beneficiary of Temporary Protection (BOTP) and International Protection Applicants (IP) access health and allied services.
2. Assisting BOTPs and IPs in completion of Medical Card forms and other forms. Correcting incorrect information on medical cards issued (liaising with PCRS)
3. Advising BOTPs and IPs of their entitlements/how to access health services – GPs, Acute, and Mental Health etc.
4. Support BOTPs and IPs to navigate the health service both those living in congregated setting and private homes.
5. Support BOTPs and IPs in getting to health appointments with the relevant service (inclusive of dental and opticians)
6. Address immediate medical cases on a daily basis and referral urgent medical cases to HSE Social Inclusion Team or relevant HSE/GP service.
7. Work as part of the DLDC team to provide access to health-related services and supports for BOTP and IP and feed back issues and challenges regarding same to the manager and other programmes
8. Identifying and following up on new locations/centres, provide ongoing outreach supports.
9. Collating information and to support HSE Response.
10. Participate and deliver in community information fairs inclusive of health.
2. Report Writing, Monitoring and Evaluation:
1. Provide oral and written reports to your line manager, and relevant Steering Groups on progress and issues of relevance.
2. Maintain up to date records related to required supports & referrals
3. Ensure files are set-up to monitor community-based activities & ensure all necessary documentation is on file for all actions.
3. Engagement and Partnerships:
1. Positively promote health services and liaise with external agencies and relevant statutory bodies.
2. Work closely and establish effective working relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate closer working relationships with referral agents
3. Broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services.
4. Develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies, including cross border partner organisations.
5. Participate in both internal and external working groups as are relevant to the Community Development Department/DLDC.
4. Miscellaneous:
1. Report to and action objectives as agreed with the Department Manager and Head of Operations
2. Attend and input to staff meetings as appropriate
3. Carry out any other function relevant to the position as indicated from time to time.
4. Be willing to work evenings as required.
5. Have access to car, and full clean driving licence in order to fulfil the duties of the role.
6. This list of job duties is not exhaustive and may be amended in order that all role duties are fulfilled.
Core Competencies Essential:
1. Experience in Health Promotion The Officer must have demonstrated work experience in a role that has involved health promotion and improvement within the community.
2. Interpersonal & Liaison Skills The Officer will be required to be able to liaise effectively and efficiently with groups and agencies providing services to local community groups and social enterprise.
3. Project Management Skills The Officer will be required to produce timely and relevant reports for the various Steering Committees, Board and other groups within the DLDC structure.
4. Motivation & report writing Ability to support and motivate others and inspire trust.
5. Communication Skills The Officer will have experience of forming good working relationships with organisations and communities, combined with excellent communication and listening skills.
6. Skills/Experience An appropriate third level qualification in the area of health promotion e.g. mental health or substance misuse or in a related area and 1 year experience in implementing programmes in community and/or health settings, Or; 2 years relevant experience in a health project and supporting health behaviour changes.
7. 'Other' You must hold a clean, current driving license and access to own transport to fulfil the responsibilities of the role.
Core Competencies Desirable:
* Experience in designing, delivering and evaluating health workshops would be an advantage.
* External experience on community based committees/boards et al.
Job Type: Full-time
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 01/11/2024