An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Tobacco Prevention Practitioner.

As Part of the Treating Tobacco Dependency programme, an opportunity has arisen to join Barnet, Enfield and Haringey (BEH) Mental Health Trust as a Tobacco prevention practitioner.

This role is extremely rewarding in making a difference to people's lives through supporting the delivery of evidence based, equitable stop smoking services to help reduce health inequalities.

There is very clear evidence of increased smoking rates and smoking-related harm among people with severe mental illness. Mental Health Services have unparalleled opportunities to support those who smoke Tobacco to quit and improve their physical health alongside their mental health. People with mental illness are four times likely to die prematurely if they smoke Tobacco. Heart disease, cancer and lung disease are the leading cause of death for people with mental illness. It is therefore important to understand how smoking affects our patient group. Prioritising people with mental illness is one of the pointers to addressing health inequalities within the population.

Main duties of the job

• To develop and maintain effective communications and working relationships with all key smoking cessation and tobacco control partners.
• To liaise with and influence relevant health and other professionals to ensure that the service retains a high profile and acts as a key priority service for patients suffering from chronic disease.
• To continually promote the service, including distributing promotional literature, attendance at events and presentations to groups when requested.

• To liaise with and empower patients to develop, implement and evaluate their own stop smoking or harm reduction plan, considering scientific evidence, NICE guidance, and the experiences of the individual patient.
• Following assessment of the patient, to provide tailored support and motivational interviewing to patients, to gain commitment to quit.
• To work within a framework of flexibility, acknowledging individual patient preferences and accommodating the needs of each individual patient.
• To educate and motivate patients in relation to tobacco control, particularly with respect to second-hand smoke and approaches to minimising risk.
• To visit patients and undertake non-judgmental, high-quality interventions
• To keep up to date with the changing evidence base, relevant policy pronouncements including NICE guidance, clinical developments and changes as directed by management, to provide an effective, high quality, safe service for patients.

About us

Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust provides local, regional and national award-winning healthcare services. We have more than 3.300 staff working out of 20 main sites serving a population of 1.2 million people.We provide community health services and mental health services for young people, adults and older people. Our North London Forensic Service treats and cares for people in the criminal justice system who have mental health conditions. We also provide one of the largest eating disorders services in England, as well as drug and alcohol services.

We are an organisation that is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion; one that prides itself in developing the leadership capabilities of its employees, looking after their health and wellbeing, creating safe spaces for staff to speak up and providing opportunities to mentor and be mentored.Our employees are the reason for delivering Good CQC ratings, excellent outcomes and outstanding patient experiences, so it is our aim to create a happy and healthy working environment where youcan thrive and succeed.

Job description Job responsibilities

Please kindly refer to the job description and person specification by clicking on the JD/PS attachment in the advert.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Degree level qualification in relevant field/equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Knowledge of current issues in smoking cessation services

Desirable

• Experience of working in an NHS setting
• Working with patients with mental health illness
• Experience of delivering health promotion

Qualifications Essential

• Smoking Cessation Training or willing to undertake within 2 months of starting role.

Desirable

• Understanding Audit and Evaluation

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

306-BEH-626