Health Promotion Coordinator

Job/Role Summary

• To coordinate & prioritise Health Promotion Activities in the Sperrin Lakeland Trust area
• Ensure ‘joined up thinking’ in terms of need & service delivery
• Ensure local voices & needs are heard at all levels
• To proactively identify health promotion needs
• Liaise with users, individuals and professionals both within & external to the health services
• Encourage holistic health promotion thinking- encourage well being in its widest remit

Specific qualifications and experience required

• Qualified Nurse / Health visitor
• Post-graduate Qualification In Health Promotion
• Health promotion experience
• Good people/communication skills
• Community development/facilitation experience
• Good knowledge of local needs &/or engagement with local communities

Career Milestones

Through the experience I received during my post as a Health Visitor I learned to engage with clients regarding their health needs and then organise individual/ group/ community initiatives to meet those needs. I also learned how to manage case loads and my own time appropriately. I managed projects such as the Teen Clinic which won a Citizens Charter Mark. Being able to undertake, enjoy and attain the introductory module to health promotion as a stand-alone module was of particular value which eventually led to the completion of a Post-graduate Certificate in Health Promotion. The slow growth and development I received during my studies helped me have confidence in my own ability to take on a unique post and to manage & run a service, knowing that I would have to develop my role as I went, but had the strength to be accountable for my actions.

What attracted you to this job?

• The wide breadth of work
• The variety of working with people at all levels in society i.e. from individuals in disadvantaged groups to the DoH
• The freedom to use my own initiative to drive the job

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• Working with a wide range of people & groups
• The variety within the post
• Taking the lead to develop the service

Important success factors

• Positive feed back from others
• Success e.g. public recognition of projects that I have been involved in/ managed
• Making successful projects self sustaining & long term

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Talk to as many interested professionals & users as possible, fully discussing and debating ideas. Don’t be bullied into putting a lot of time & effort into short term projects you know will not work. Network widely and team work widely, using all networking chances you get- networking underpins all your activity. Recognise that talking to a colleague is networking not gossip – but use these opportunities wisely. Take time to read & research widely. Support others & they will support you

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

• Communication
• Sound research-based knowledge
• Networking
• Ability to think on your feet
• Confidence
• Evaluation & research skills
• Action planning
• Project management
• Assessing fully what is needed & proactively targeting the same
• Working with others at all levels
• Flexibility

Career Profiles