WESTERN ISLES NHS BOARD

Directorate of Public Health

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Identification: Senior Health Promotion Officer (Physical Activity, Education)
Department: Health Promotion
Job Holder Ref:
No of Job Holders: One

INTRODUCTION Health Promotion is a specialist discipline drawing on knowledge of and approaches

implicit in a range of disciplines e.g. epidemiology, psychology, statistics, project design
and management, sociology and public health theory. It is from this theory that evidence
for effective programmes is devised and work procedures and practices are developed –
contributing to an increase in health status of the population and a reduction in unhealthy
behaviours e.g. smoking and a reduction in disease e.g. CHD.

JOB PURPOSE: To provide a specialist Health Promotion service in the Uists and Barra.

To develop, implement and monitor Health Promotion strategies and programmes in

relation to cancer prevention, mental health and well-being.

To contribute to the health improvement, public health agenda of the Western Isles.

To support the work of the Mental Health Partnership and the Western Isles Cancer Co-
ordinating Committee by adding specialist mental health promotion skills and expertise
and to contribute knowledge on prevention to the Western Isles Cancer Co-ordinating
Committee.

ORGANISATIONAL See attached

CHART:

SCOPE AND RANGE: The Senior Health Promotion Officer is responsible for the development of healthy
living activities/projects throughout the Uists and Barra. The post also provides the key
focus for mental health, well-being and cancer health promotion activity. This requires
working in partnership with service users, service providers, statutory and voluntary
sector organisations to develop relevant local strategies and action plans as well as
delivering, monitoring and evaluating progress.

MAIN DUTIES/ Professional

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RESPONSIBILITIES:
To promote inter-agency and partnership working in relation to Health Promotion.

To contribute to the Public Health Agenda of the Western Isles.

To support, motivate and train staff within the Health Service and from other agencies to
feel competent and confident to contribute to health promotion activity as required by
their own job descriptions.

MAIN DUTIES/ Education & Research

RESPONSIBILITIES
(CONT’D): To undertake community and organisational needs assessments and research, ensuring
that health promotion activity is meeting the needs of the general public, service users,
service providers and the Public Health Agenda.

Planning & Organisational

Develop, organise and deliver a range of health promotion training in relation to the
needs identified at local level, through national and PIN guidelines.

Commission external trainers to deliver training when skills and expertise cannot be
delivered “in-house” or the situation is such that an external trainer would be most
effective and/or professionally advisable.

Contribute to Policy and Strategy development in relation to key policies.

Train and provide on-going support and supervision for trainers with the Health Service.

Contribute to the PFPI agenda through working with community groups and individuals.

Design, develop, deliver and evaluate training in relation the Dignity at Work Policy for
employees in all parts of the Health Service and encourage other employees to become
involved in delivering training.

Promote people’s equality and diversity through training and awareness raising.

Co-ordinate all healthy living activities in Uists and Barra in partnership with relevant
colleagues e.g. schools inputs, community food initiatives or stress management in the
workplace

Communication & Relationships

Develop and deliver communication skills training within the Health Service and to
other agency staff. This training is designed to promoted inter-personal relationships,
communication skills and contributes to positive emotional health, self esteem and self
efficacy. Training is designed to meet the needs of different parts of the health service
from senior clinicians, nurses and allied health professionals at all levels and support
workers.

Develop group work skills training with service providers and service users so that
people can deliver training.

Managerial

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 Develop, monitor, evaluate and update Health Promotion strategies and action plans in
relation to mental health, well-being, and cancer prevention.

Supervision of clerical staff (1 No.)

Develop and encourage partnership working with other agencies and organisations so
that the Health Promotion and public health agenda is understood and opportunities for
“joined up” working are created.

Identify financial and other resources in order to be able to deliver the action plans.

Work in partnership with voluntary sector and community groups to advise, encourage,
motivate and when necessary provide training for them to develop health promoting
activities.

Identify funding for community and voluntary groups to fulfil their health promotion
activities.

MAIN DUTIES/ Managerial (Cont’d)

RESPONSIBILITIES
(CONT’D): Manage budget in relation to activities identified by work plan and programme
management schedules.

Manage and maintain a safe working environment, including payment of rent, rates and
other utilities.

Ensure health and safety standards are met.

SUPPORTING Physical demands of the job

EVIDENCE:
Ability to use a computer effectively and electronic mailing system is essential.

A clean driving licence is essential.

Competent to use visual aids and power point presentations.

Mental Effort

Responsibility for delivering work on time and providing reports to Public Health,
Mental Health Partnership, Cancer Committees and the Scottish Executive.

It is essential to work with on own initiative and to self manage work.

To identify innovative ways and to be creative in response to needs identified.

Partnership working to maximise Health Promotion potential throughout the islands.

Emotional Effort

Partnership working and building alliances can at times be very demanding and
emotionally draining.

Taking a lead role in the development, design and co-ordination of training and then
encouraging people to develop their own health promotion role can be demanding.

Recognising and responding to needs of others who are developing their health
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 promotion role or getting into conflict through work relationship problems and conflicts
of interests.

Acting as mentor for people within and outwith the organisation including volunteers.

SUPPORTING Working Conditions

EVIDENCE (CONT’D):
Due to having a Uists/Barra and a specialist remit for the department there are frequent
stays in Stornoway, other parts of the islands or the mainland. This requires time away
from home which very few people in the NHS as a whole are expected to do.

CONFIDENTIALITY: This involves taking the necessary precautions when transmitting information only
disclosing it to those who have the right and the need to know it.

All personal health information is held under strict legal and ethical obligations of
confidentiality. NHS Staff must follow guidance (NHS Code of Practice on Protecting
Patient Confidentiality) before disclosing any patient information. All staff must respect
confidentiality of all matters that they may learn relating to their employment, other
members of staff, patients and their families.

HEALTH & SAFETY: Assist in maintaining own and others' health, safety and security

This involves:

A) Complying with Board health and safety policies, procedures and participating
in mandatory training.
B) Maintaining a safe working environment and reporting any issues of concern as
appropriate.

NHS Western Isles attaches the greatest importance to the health and safety of its
employees. It is the Board policy to do all that is reasonable to prevent personal injury
and hazard to health by protecting staff and others including the public from foreseeable
hazards compatible with the provision of proper services to patients. The Board expects
its entire staff to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others
who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. More detailed information is
given in departmental safety policies where appropriate.

Ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights.

This involves:

(a) Acting in ways consistent with the Board's policies and procedures
(b) Treating those you come into contact with equitably and with respect.
(c) Recognising the need for aids or adaptations.

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Page 5 of 7 21/08/07
 Health Promotion
Manager

Assistant Health Promotion

Manager

Senior Health Senior Health Scotland’s Health

HIV, Sexual Specialist Promotion Officer Promotion At Work Facilitator
Drug Alcohol Health and Young Smoking Fas Fallain
Uists -Cancer, Officer(CHD,
Development Development People Coodinator Manager
Mental Health Inequalities)
Officer Officer

Smoking Health Information

Substance Misuse Cessation and Resources
Information Officer Paths For
Adviser Officer
Health
Coordinator

Senior
Administrator

Secretary
Secretary Resources
Assistant
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 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Senior Health Promotion Officer

Department: Health Promotion
Location: Stornoway

FACTOR ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

EXPERIENCE Practical experience of working in
health promotion
Demonstrable experience of co-
ordination in a multi agency setting
Experience of training and group work skills
in a variety of settings in particular working
with adults

Experience of working within a

community development setting

QUALIFICATIONS Educated to Masters level or equivalent A professional qualification in health, social

in health promotion or public health work, community work or education

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Excellent interpersonal, personal, Interested in how people make health change
organisational development and
negotiating skills Experience in teaching communication skills

Demonstrable knowledge of current

mental health and well being policy at
national and local level

To have relevant health promotion

knowledge of health education strategies
in relation to cancer prevention

To have training and group work skills

in relation to health promotion

Demonstrable knowledge of patient

focus and public involvement policy

Knowledge of strategy & policy

development and of programme design,
implementation and evaluation

An understanding of the local island

culture

Adequate IT skills

DISPOSITION Be a good communicator

To have a non judgemental approach

OTHER A clean driving licence Gaelic speaker

Willing to work away from home on a

regular basis

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