About this role
Job summary
This vacancy may close early if sufficient number of applications have been received.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all of our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately your application form be rejected from the process.
The Community Respiratory Support Worker provides practical, person-centred support to adults living with respiratory conditions within the community. Working as part of a multidisciplinary respiratory team, the post holder will help patients manage their condition, improve their quality of life, and remain as independent as possible in their own homes.
The role involves supporting patients with respiratory health education, self-management, lifestyle changes, and adherence to agreed care plans. The post holder may undertake routine observations and assessments within their scope of practice, recognise changes in a patient's condition, and escalate concerns appropriately to registered healthcare professionals.
The Community Respiratory Support Worker will work closely with patients, families, carers, community services, and other healthcare professionals to promote effective communication and continuity of care. They will provide compassionate support to individuals who may experience breathlessness, reduced mobility, anxiety, or difficulties managing their respiratory condition.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities may include
- Supporting patients with chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma and bronchiectasis.
- Providing education and encouragement around respiratory self-management and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Supporting patients with agreed breathing, exercise, activity and rehabilitation programmes.
- Monitoring and recording observations and reporting any deterioration or concerns promptly.
- Encouraging medication adherence and reinforcing information provided by registered clinicians, within the boundaries of the role.
- Supporting patients and carers to recognise signs of deterioration and understand when and how to seek further help.
- Maintaining accurate, timely and confidential patient records.
- Working collaboratively with nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, respiratory clinicians, GPs and other community services.
- Promoting independence, wellbeing and confidence in managing long-term respiratory conditions.
- Contributing to a safe, inclusive and respectful service that puts patients and their individual needs at the centre of care.
About us
Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.
- Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
- Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
- If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
- Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
- Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
- Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.
Work that wraps around your needs
- Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a compassionate and non-judgemental approach, and the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. They should be organised, reliable and able to recognise when a patient requires further clinical assessment or support.
The role requires a strong commitment to patient-centred care, safeguarding, confidentiality, infection prevention and professional boundaries, with all duties undertaken in accordance with local policies, procedures and the individuals level of competence.
The NHS Essex Integrated Care Board brings together key health, care, community and voluntary sector organisations from across our area. Our aim is to work together in partnership to join up health and care services, improving our population's health and wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.
HCA Academy, is an ICB initiative between Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT). The Academy supports the on boarding, induction, education and experience of our Health Care Assistants (HCAs), Activity Coordinators (ACs), Peer Support Workers (PSWs) and Family Care Assistants (FCAs), modelling a "one workforce" cross-system approach.
To support this one workforce model, successful candidates appointed to this post will be required to attend our 4 day face to face Induction Programme (Monday to Thursday) at the NHS Essex ICB Education Hub, Brentwood Community Hospital. Your start date will therefore align with one of the Academy induction dates available each month, which will be discussed and agreed during the recruitment process.
The HCA Academy Induction Programme has been designed to train and support successful candidates through the early stages of their employment and provides opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and confidence within the role. Further information will be provided following interview.
Following completion of the Academy Induction Programme, our new starters will undertake EPUT's corporate and mandatory training programme. This will consist of a combination of face-to-face and virtual learning to support a successful transition into employment.
Person Specification
essential
- GCSE
Desirable
- Previous experience of working with respiratory patients in an acute or community setting
skills and aptitude
Essential
- Working with senior staff undertaking a range of clinical duties e.g. providing practical support and guidance to service users.
Desirable
- Promoting concordance with medication and treatment regimes
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Latton Bush Centre - 2nd floor
Latton Bush Centre
Harlow
CM18 7BL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://eput.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)