Job Title: Health Promotion Practitioner

Job Status: 12 month fixed term , full-time

Location: North Wicklow (remote working option 1-2 days per week)

Report to: High Risk Prevention Manager

The Irish Heart Foundation is a community of people who fight to protect the cardiovascular health of everyone in Ireland. Together we are working to eliminate preventable death and disability from heart disease and stroke, and to support and care for those living with these life-changing conditions. We work to achieve this by:

• Caring for and speaking out for people in the community living with heart conditions and stroke, and their families.
• Innovating and leading in health promotion and prevention to change health behaviours and reduce cardiovascular risk.
• Building a nation of lifesavers through CPR training.
• Campaigning and advocating for policies that support people to live healthier lives.
• Information provision.

Our team currently is approx. 100 employees and up to 100 volunteers working towards the Foundation’s vision of a future where no hearts are broken by preventable heart disease.

The Role

This Health Promotion Practitioner role is part of our broader project: ‘The High Risk Prevention Programme’, funded by the HSE. High-risk patients require support to actively manage their risk factors. This is challenging to achieve, particularly for people living in deprived areas. To prevent these high-risk patients from developing chronic disease a more intensive approach is required. Our programme aims to expand on the work done to date in implementing the High Risk Prevention Programme in lower socio economic communities. It is a cardiovascular lifestyle behaviour change programme for patients in disadvantaged communities who are identified by G.P.’s through the HSE’s Chronic Disease Management programme. The Health Promotion Practitioner will coordinate referrals from GP practices in their catchment area, schedule and facilitate six 1 to 1 health coaching sessions with patients with the goal of improving behaviours influencing risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The practitioner will then schedule and provide follow up sessions at 3, 6 and 9 months to aid in behaviour maintenance and relapse prevention as well link in with and signpost to other programmes based in the community to other relevant service in the community. The practitioner will also organise and host regular group health education sessions.

Key Responsibilities

High Risk Prevention Programme implementation

• Build relationship with general practice staff and cultivate referrals to Irish Heart Foundation’s high risk prevention programme.
• Carry out lifestyle assessment of patients at intake and discharge of service, as per standard procedure and guidelines.
• Deliver structured health coach interventions focusing on cardiovascular risk factors, in person and/or by phone.
• Use health promotion knowledge and skills to collaboratively set goals and motivate behaviour change on a lifestyle risk factor, as identified by the individual patient.
• Recruit patients to the closed Facebook group following completion of the six-week programme.
• Content creation for social media supports and monitoring of patient support groups.
• Adhere to all relevant project protocols and liaise regularly with the High Risk Prevention Manager
• Generate reports in uptake and outcomes from programme.
• Responsible for all data management in line with General Data Protection Regulation guidelines.
• Become familiar with local support services and signpost project participants to services as required.
• Facilitate group education sessions focusing on risk factors to cardiovascular disease.
• Follow escalation protocols should there be issues or concerns related to a client’s health.

Training and development

• Undertake Training as required.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to the IHF Health and Safety policy and procedures at all times.

Policy and Procedure

• Adhere to all IHF policies and Procedures at all times.

Skills and Experience Required

The successful candidate would have a relevant third level qualification in Health Promotion, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Social Care, Exercise Science, or other Allied Health disciplines. The candidate will have demonstrable experience in motivational interviewing, influencing positive health behaviour change and possess real-world experience of working with individuals living in disadvantaged communities.

Communication Skills

• Fluent in both written and spoken English.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable communicating in person, by phone as well as facilitating group meetings in person and online .
• Ability to represent the organisation professionally.

Health Promotion Expertise

• Experience in delivering health promotion programs and interventions.
• Understanding of research and information management/ use of research/ evidence to inform practice, monitor progress, improve services.
• Familiarity with health behaviour change models and techniques.
• Knowledge and experience of Motivational Interviewing and Brief Intervention skills.
• Understanding of Cardiovascular disease risk factors and relevant interventions.
• Appreciation of health literacy and determinants of health

Interpersonal Skills:

• Ability to build rapport with clients and demonstrate empathy.
• Experience working with disadvantaged communities.
• Maintain a patient-centred approach in all interactions.
• Experience in group facilitation.

Logistical and Planning Abilities:

• Strong logistical and planning capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Evidence of proactively identifying areas for improvement and the development of practical solutions for their implementation

Administrative Proficiency:

• Excellent data entry and report writing skills with attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and MS Word.
• Familiarity with CRM or patient management databases is desirable.
• Membership of the Health Promotion Practitioners’ register and the Association for Health Promotion Ireland is desirable.
• Full, clean driving license and own car
• Adherence to health and safety policies and procedures.
• Adherence to all organisation policies and procedures.
• Willingness to undertake training as required by the Manager.
• Efficient client record keeping and regular reporting on all areas of the role.
• Assistance with applications for funding and participation in occasional research studies

The above is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not exhaustive. Job descriptions are reviewed on a regular basis in line with business needs.

Benefits of working with Irish Heart Foundation:

We provide benefits to help you protect your health and financial security; and give you peace of mind.

• Pension scheme with employer contributions, from day 1 of service
• Life assurance of 4 times base salary with immediate effect
• Income continuance/disability benefit, at no cost to you from day 1 of service
• Paid Maternity leave
• Company sick pay
• Company health checks
• Generous annual leave policy including additional company days
• Bike to Work Scheme, Travel Saver Tickets, Excellent public transport links
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• A wonderful office we are proud of with excellent working, kitchen and changing facilities
• Events organised by social club and Health and Well-being Committee
• CPR Training for all employees
• Ongoing Training and Development initiatives to help you grow your career with us

Details of Role and Application process

This is a fixed term contract, full-time, Monday to Friday. To apply please provide an up-to-date curriculum vitae and cover letter outlining how you suit the post by email to Klara O’Malley, HR Manager. Email: hr@irishheart.ie

Salary €40,000 per annum

The closing date for this position is COB 29th of October 2024

The Irish Heart Foundation is an equal opportunities employer.

The Irish Heart Foundation has a no smoking policy. Employees are not permitted to smoke whilst undertaking any duties on behalf of the Foundation.