Health Coach job description

• Job Title: Health Coach, Birmingham Own Health (BOH)
• Band: Band 4 Agenda for Change Terms and Conditions
• Accountable to: Clinical Team Leader, Birmingham Own Health

Span of Authority

Financial responsibility
Budget holder: No
Budget amount: Not Applicable

Role summary

To promote wellness, improved outcomes and self care within a defined population of members in the Monitor level with a long term condition(s) and support their appropriate utilisation of health services/lifestyle groups.

To work under the supervision of a Care Manager and with individual members to develop and implement individual health plans and provide support in self management.

To manage a defined caseload of OwnHealth members within the Monitor level and to plan, implement, co-ordinate and review health plans, to encourage the appropriate utilisation of services to meet member’s health/lifestyle needs. This will be achieved through proactive telephone communication using health behaviour change coaching, facilitated by decision support software and the co-ordination of available healthcare resources.

To receive OwnHealth members from their Care Manager colleagues to the Monitor level of care according to agreed policies and procedures.

Health Coach management will take place within the philosophy of enabling and promoting self care, self management and independence.

The job description is underpinned by the competency framework and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of tasks.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Proactively managing long term conditions

• Plan and conduct telephone consultations with members to assess and monitor needs, plan care, review effectiveness of services and support self-management.
• Synthesise member information and knowledge of long term conditions, healthy lifestyle behaviours to plan, implement, monitor and review individualised health/lifestyle plans and make appropriate interventions to attain agreed goals and reduce health risks.
• Work collaboratively with team colleagues, member, and members of the family and caregivers, and health services to develop and implement a health/lifestyle plan using the eight care management priority framework.
• Know the limits of own clinical competence and knowledge and refer appropriately to more experienced colleagues when the situation calls for it.
• Make referrals to nursing colleagues of cases with a need for clinical interventions or requiring nurse led guidance.

2. Managing information

• Maintain timely and appropriate data collection using Own Health software.
• Complete assessment and monitoring of the member utilising approved tools and procedures.

3. Supporting self care, self management and enabling independence

• Provide education and coaching to members and caregivers on maintaining health and health promotion to enable them to make informed decisions regarding self-care and maintain wellness.
• Engage and coach the member around their health/lifestyle plan and health behaviour change to motivate and empower the member to achieve agreed goals.

4. Leading care Co-ordination

• Liaise with team, community colleagues and local service providers to arrange and co-ordinate services.
• Using well-developed communication and interpersonal skills act as liaison with providers, members, family members, health services, community services and health plan.
• Maintain an appropriate level of contact with team colleagues and other service providers and share information in an appropriate and timely manner.

5. Professional effectiveness

• Work in collaboration with other team colleagues to ensure optimal results and strengthen their relationship with the member.
• Understand own professional boundaries and seek the support from nursing team colleagues in a timely manner when required.
• Support teamwork and display professionalism during daily job responsibilities. Participate actively in team meetings.
• Communicate with the Care Manager mentor or Team Leader with cases requiring clinical/nursing input and seek appropriate support.
• Maintain and comply with NHS Direct and project policies and procedures.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism in manner and communication.
• Maintenance and development of current knowledge of programme long term conditions, interpersonal skills, coaching for health behaviour change, optimal health and lifestyle behaviours.
• Undertake audit and supervision as stipulated, participate in performance management, self-assessment and maintain a personal development plan/CPD portfolio.

General information

The postholder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to the NHSD policies and procedures, in particular IWL, Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality and Data Protection Act.

All staff have a responsibility to participate in the NHSD Appraisal Scheme and to contribute to their own development, and the development of any staff they appraise or are responsible for.
The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive, the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the service.

Confidentiality

In the course of your employment you will have access to confidential information relating to NHSD business. You are required to exercise due consideration in the way you use such information and should not act in any way, which might be prejudicial to the NHSD interests. Information which may be included in the category which requires extra consideration covers both access and to the general business of the NHSD and information regarding individuals. If you are in any doubt regarding the use of information in the pursuit of your duties you should seek advice from your manager before communicating such information to any third party.

Data protection

NHSD is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. You must not at any time use the personal data held by NHSD for a purpose not described in the Register entry or disclose such data to a third party. If you are in any doubt regarding what you should or should not do in connection with the Data Protection Act then you must contact the Director of ICT.

Health and safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibility placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to maintain a healthy and safe working environment for both staff and visitors. Employees also have a duty to observe obligation under the NHSD and departmental Health and Safety policies, and to maintain awareness of safe practices and assessment of risk.

Financial regulation

All staff are responsible for security of the property of the NHSD, avoiding loss or damage of property, and being economical and efficient in the use of resources. Staff should conform with the requirements of the Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and other financial procedures including the Code of Conduct and Accountability and the Fraud and Corruption Policy.