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MA Assistant Health Improvement Practitioner

We are recruiting for a Modern Apprentice (MA) Assistant Health Improvement Practitioner to join the Health Improvement team in the South of Glasgow.

Health Improvement describes the work to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals or communities through enabling and encouraging healthy choices as well as addressing underlying determinants of health such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities. We work with a wide range of partners to influence policy, service provision and wider environmental factors that help support positive health outcomes for our population, especially those in greatest need.

What are you recruiting for?

Our Modern Apprenticeship programme is aligned to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Widening Access to Employment Strategy and workforce projections.   This means that this post is only open to people who are aged between 16 to 24 years (or 16 to 29 years for Disabled or Care Experienced* people) on 1st November 2022 and who meet our shortlisting requirements. 

This is an entry level position suitable for a young person who is willing to learn and develop within the role and has an interest in working in a community setting in a role that works to improve health outcomes for people. 

We are committed to recruiting a workforce that reflects our population and we welcome applications from people from Black, Asian or other Minority Ethnic backgrounds, from LGBTQ+ candidates, Care Experienced* people and Disabled people.

This programme is designed as an entry route into the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Improvement Service and we encourage applications from school leavers

*The term “care experienced” refers to anyone who has been, or is currently in care. This includes kinship care where you are living/lived with a relative who is not your parent, or looked after with the help of social work, or living/lived in Residential care, Foster care, secure care or Adoption

Who can apply?

Suitable candidates who meet our academic and age requirements could include those with experience in any of the following:

  • volunteering
  • community support
  • charity work
  • peer support
  • caring responsibilities/young carers
  • school based buddy, mentor or befriending programmes

What type of person are you hoping to recruit?

As well as demonstrating that you meet the meet the academic criteria you must also demonstrate in your application that you are genuinely interested in working a community setting in a role that works to improve health outcomes for people. Any previous experience of voluntary work, community support or charity work, peer support, caring responsibilities, school based buddy or mentoring schemes or befriending programmes would be beneficial to highlight in your application

What are the most important personal qualities required for the role?

You will need good communication, inter-personal and organisational skills and demonstrate self-motivation and self-reliance. You should be keen to help out and be flexible in your approach to ensure the best outcome is achieved for our service users. 

Your application needs to demonstrate that you have the ability to work as part of a team and to work on your own initiative. Examples of this could include Duke of Edinburgh awards, Foundation Apprenticeships or any development programmes or projects undertaken at school, college or any customer focused or team work experience gained in the workplace.

Good interpersonal, team work and communication skills are essential in providing a professional and efficient service.   You will be working as part of a wider team so your application should show us that you have good organisational skills, are self-motivated and are  flexible in your approach to insure the best outcome is achieved for our patients.  Your application should show us that you are someone who is keen to learn new things and has an enthusiastic and positive approach to work.  

A confident manner and positive attitude will benefit you as following a period of induction and training you will be attending meetings, delivering training and supporting group work and hosting or supporting other activities.  Any experience you have in leading or motivating people, public speaking, occasions where you have stepped outside your comfort zone and challenged yourself, or taken on new responsibilities or learned new skills quickly would be beneficial to highlight in your application.

As you will travel cross site/sector, flexibility is also an essential requirement.

More About the Role

The South Glasgow Health Improvement Team are based within the South Locality of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

We are one of three locality based Health Improvement Teams in Glasgow City. The team aim to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities for people living in South Glasgow.

The Health Improvement Team in the South Locality is comprised of approximately 40 staff, working in five sub-teams (Portfolio 1, Portfolio 2, Portfolio 3, Portfolio 4, Portfolio 5).

Our work focuses on a wide range of health improvement programmes, for example:

  • Priority health topics, for example mental health, tobacco, poverty and financial inclusion
  • Ages and stages, including early years, young people and older people
  • Place-based working in neighbourhoods/communities of high deprivation.
  • Place-based work targets particular neighbourhoods/communities within South Glasgow where deprivation significantly impacts on health.   Portfolio 4 has a lead responsibility for Priesthill and Househillwood Thriving Place

We work closely with partners for example Health care staff, Local Authority staff and the voluntary sector.

Our team aims to do the best we can to improve health and reduce health inequalities. We have a range of experiences and backgrounds, making us quite a diverse team.

As an Apprentice you will work as part of the Child and Youth Health Improvement Team to improving health outcomes and life experiences for the children and young people in South Glasgow.   As the apprenticeship develops you will also get the opportunity to support some of the other portfolios to develop your knowledge and experience of other health topics and areas. 

We do this in a number of ways and there is wide variety in the work our team are involved in which you support. 

This can include for example supporting the training and capacity building for cost of the school day programme which aims at tackling child poverty, supporting the development of Bank for Youth our youth engagement programme, which ensures young people’s voices are heard and involved in decision making and by being a key partner in local networks/forums, and supporting training/events that the team are involved in.

You will be encouraged to participate in a variety of health training, for example Healthy Minds, to build on their knowledge and understanding of health and wellbeing.  Health Issues in the community to understanding how issues such as poverty and inequalities impact on communities. 

Your duties will include:

  • Supporting team members to organise and prepare to deliver training
  • Supporting team members to host and deliver training sessions on a wide range of health topics (could be online or face-to-face)
  • Supporting team members to plan and host community networks and events (could be online or face-to-face)
  • Participating in community networks
  • Researching and learning about key partner organisations we work with
  • Shadow staff from each of our four sub-teams (streams) to learn about a wide range of programmes of work the team are involved in.

You can find out more about the work of Health Improvement teams on our Health Improvement pages.

Training Outline

The training delivered during your apprenticeship will be a blend of ‘on the job’ learning and college-based learning.     During the training programme you will have a local training supervisor and mentor.

This Apprenticeship is made up of 3 elements

  • Workplace Training
  • A Scottish Vocation Qualification (SVQ)
  • College Qualification (Certificate and HNC)

During your Apprenticeship you are expected to attend regular reviews to discuss your progress and development needs, and are expected to stick to the agreed training plan. This includes attending internal and external training and taking responsibility, with support, to collect the evidence required that proves competence in the job role

Will I attend College?

In the first year of your Apprenticeship you will under take a Certificate in Youth Work Practice and in the second year of your apprenticeship you will undertake a HNC in Working With Communities delivered by Glasgow Kelvin College.

You may be attending on a part time and/or distance learning basis.

How is the SVQ Delivered?

An SVQ is a qualification that shows that you can perform a job to nationally recognised standards and is made up of several units, each one of which describes an aspect of the job.

You will be assessed at your workplace (Health Improvement Team) using observation, professional discussion and work-related evidence and assessed on the skills you use every day in your job.

This will be demonstrated through your every day job role with support and qualification assessment provided internally by a team of experienced work based assessors.  There are no exams involved in an SVQ. 

During your apprenticeship you are expected to work towards an agreed Training Plan. This is subject to review and alteration. Please also note that changes to the college based activity may be subject to change.

What happens at the end of the Modern Apprenticeship?

On successful completion of all elements of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Modern Apprenticeship Programme we will support your transition into permanent employment within the organisation.

What qualifications will I hold when I complete this Apprenticeship?

The successful completion the Training programme will result in you achieving a

  • Scottish Vocational Qualification ( SCQF Level 7) in Health Care Support (Non Clinical)
  • Certificate in Youth Work Practice
  • HNC in Working With Communities (SCQF Level 7)
  • Core Skills that you have not achieved through previous learning. 

This post reflects the following Modern Apprenticeship Framework:

Upon completion of the apprenticeship candidates will have attained a profile of knowledge, training and experience equivalent to SCQF Level 7 with experience of a range of Assistant Health Improvement Practitioner duties acquired through training. Over the course of the programme you will build a portfolio of your training that will be used as evidence of your competence.

Throughout your training you will be encouraged to become a reflective practitioner and measure your skills and knowledge to align your work against the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework.  This will support you to then work towards gaining accreditation as a Public Health Practitioner through the UK Public Health Registration (UKPHR) Scheme, open to you when you have minimum 3 years work experience within the health improvement field.

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered for interview your Application Form must clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:

  • A National 5 qualification (or SCQF equivalent) at Grade A-C in English or ESOL and at least two other National 4 qualifications (or SCQF equivalent).
  • Are within the Specified Age Range
  • Fully complete the assessment question section of the application form (see candidate pack) to demonstrate that you have the interpersonal skills and qualities we require for this post.
  • We operate a Guaranteed Interview scheme for Care Experienced* and Disabled applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria for this post.  Please contact   Mark.Goldie@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for more details

*The term “care experienced” refers to anyone who has been, or is currently in care. This includes kinship care where you are living/lived with a relative who is not your parent, or looked after with the help of social work, or living/lived in Residential care, Foster care, secure care or Adoption.

Summary Terms and Conditions

What qualifications will I hold when I complete this programme?

On completion of your apprenticeship, in addition to the work place training and competencies relevant to the role that you will achieve you will also be awarded:

This posts reflects the following Modern Apprenticeship Framework:

How long will the Apprenticeship last?

  • This apprenticeship will last for 2 years

What happens at the end of the Modern Apprenticeship?

  • On successful completion of all elements of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Modern Apprenticeship Programme we will support your transition into permanent employment within the organisation.

Where will I be based?

The team office is based in Pollok Health Centre, 21 Cowglen Road, Glasgow, G53 6EQ 

Travel to other locations within the Board area, mainly in South Glasgow will be required. This might be to attend meetings/forums, training or to meet with community groups.

All staff are entitled to apply for the following benefits on appointment:

  • Interest free loan to purchase Zonecard’s – a flexible season ticket for unlimited travel by rail, subway, most buses and even some ferries (details on public transport routes to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s sites can be found by visiting Travel Information for Staff – NHSGGC or visit www.spt.co.uk/travelinfo
  • Cycle to Work Scheme, for staff to purchase a bicycle and any equipment needed and then repay those costs through their salary.
  • Travel Expenses where appropriate

How much will I be paid and how many hours a week will I work?

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is a living wage employer and this apprenticeship will pay £9.50 per hour or £18,571 (2021 rate) per annum.

As an employee of Greater Glasgow and Clyde you will also be entitled to all the benefits that our staff receive including a minimum of 27 days paid annual leave, an additional 8 days paid public holidays and enrolment in the NHS Scotland Pension Scheme.

All staff are entitled to apply for the following benefits on appointment:

  • Interest free loan to purchase Zonecard’s – a flexible season ticket for unlimited travel by rail, subway, most buses and even some ferries (details on public transport routes to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s sites can be found by visiting Travel Information for Staff – NHSGGC or visit the SPT website.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme, for staff to purchase a bicycle and any equipment needed and then repay those costs through their salary.
Apply

Before you start your application.

Step 1 – Download and save the Candidate Information Pack – Make sure you understand the role, the apprenticeship programme and the type of person we are looking to recruit before you submit your application form.

To stand the best chance of getting an interview you we encourage you to follow the guidance in the Candidate Information Pack and outlined in the “What do you need to tell us in your application form” section below

What you need to tell us on your application form

When completing your application form please ensure that:

  • You provide us with full contact details
  • You provide us with your full education history. 
  • You provide details of any employment history, if any.
  • If you have no employment history you can include volunteering or work experience placements in employment history section.
  • You provide full contact details for a least 2 referees (education, employment or character). Please see the candidate information pack for guidance on who can provide references.
  • Complete the Assessment Questions Section of the Application form – see “What else do you need to know” section.

Step 2 – Submit an online application

What else do we need to know? 

You will be asked three questions in the assessment section of the application form and we would like to answer them as follows:

Why do you think you are suitable for this role? 

How to Answer: In the information pack we have told what kind of person we are hoping to recruit.  Give us examples that show us you have the skills and attributes you will need for this job. 

Tell us about the skills and personal qualities you have and how you have developed them e.g. through work, volunteering, school/college practical subject based tasks (any school subjects any hobbies or pastimes that can demonstrate your skills), any clubs or after school/college groups/other interests that demonstrate the communication skills and personal qualities we are seeking.

Don’t just tell us you have a skill or attribute – give us examples and tell us how they would help you in this job.

Why do you want to work for the NHS?

How to Answer: Tell us why are you interested in a becoming an Assistant Health Improvement Practitioner. We have told you in the supporting information and job description what the job involves so tell us why you think you would be good applicant. 

Tell us about your interest in working in Health Improvement and why this is the career path for you. What is it about this job that appeals to you and why did you apply for the programme?

Is there any other relevant information that will assist us in shortlisting your application?

How to Answer: Tell us a bit more about you. How do your family, friends, teachers/employers describe you? Tell us about your achievements (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh or other awards, hobbies and interests), any talents or aspirations or anything else you think might be relevant to your application. We want to know what interests you and how other people see you. If you are a Care Experienced Applicant please tell us here.

*The term “care experienced” refers to anyone who has been, or is currently in care. This includes kinship care where you are living/lived with a relative who is not your parent, or looked after with the help of social work, or living/lived in Residential care, Foster care, Secure care or Adoption.

How do you decide who to Interview?       

We base our decision on who to interview by assessing the information you have provided on your application form and your responses to the questions you have been asked to address in the assessment section. 

Make sure you are including in your application all the information we have asked you for in the Candidate Information Pack

Can I visit the department to find out more about this job?

We cant host visits just now but we would encourage any interested applicants to attend an online information session for this post

When will interviews take place?

Candidates selected for interview will be invited to attend an online interview preparation session  

  • Interview Preparation – Scheduled for Week Commencing 29th August 2022

Interviews for this post will take place in two stages.*

Stage 1 Interviews will take place through Video Conferencing  using MS teams 

  • Stage 1  – First Interview scheduled for 31st August 2022

Candidates who are successful after Stage 1 will be invited to attend an In Person final interview  

  • Stage 2 – Final in person interview – Week Commencing 5th September 2022

*Please note that this process and these dates may change in line with Covid19 Guidance.

When will this apprenticeship start?

We anticipate that the successful candidate will start employment in early to mid October 2022, subject to the time taken to complete pre employment checks.