Job overview

·        Are you currently working within health or social care and want a new challenge to develop your experience and be part of transforming local care for Medway?

·        Do you have a desire to work alongside the diabetes team in the community to improve diabetes care?

·        Are you dynamic, proactive and thrive to make a difference?

·        Do you hold a full driving licence?

If you answered yes, we’ve got the perfect role for you!

We are looking for a diabetes support worker  to work as part of the community diabetes specialist team, supporting community nursing teams and working alongside other healthcare professionals to improve diabetes care.

-        The community diabetes team work to support and improve outcomes for those living with all types of diabetes. 

-        We see patients in their homes, care homes and in clinical settings, as well as a via telephone calls.

-        The community diabetes team also provide structured education to patients, as well as healthcare professionals delivering care to those with diabetes. 

-        The community diabetes team liaises closely with the local hospitals, GPs, care homes and other health care professionals via post, email and telephone. 

Main duties of the job

To work with the multidisciplinary teams (specialist diabetes team and community nursing teams) to provide a standard of care to patients with diabetes.

Undertaking annual diabetes reviews within people’s homes, which will involve simple nursing procedures under the direction of the community diabetes specialist team:

• Blood glucose testing
• Phlebotomy (HbA1c, kidney function, cholesterol levels)
• Baseline observations (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturations, height, weight)
• FreeStyle Libre education, application, and data collection
• Insulin administration
• Diabetes foot assessment
• Insulin education and delegation

In accordance with delegated tasks; organise own workload, contact patients via telephone to arrange appointments – ensuring family members are available where necessary, contact care-home/care-agencies to schedule annual training dates.

Maintain accurate, legible and up-to-date records on all patients in accordance with Diabetes and Community Nursing services, as well as organisation policies and procedures.

Work with Community Nursing and Neighbourhood Nursing teams to support those patients with diabetes who may not be under the specialist diabetes service but need support with reviews and insulin administration.

To work alongside patients and their families to promote independence following hospital discharge, or a new request from the GP to commence insulin.

Working for our organisation

So what else?

·       This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused - you’ll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder.

·       We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development.

·       We’ll provide well established, in-service training, one to one supervision, and appraisals with regular support.

·       You’ll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team.

Would you like to work flexibly?  In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important work life balance is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

The small print

·       Informal visits can be arranged on request.

·       We will offer you the choice of two pension schemes; the NHS Pension scheme and the scottish widows group pension scheme.

MCH is considering merging with Kent Community Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT). If the merger goes ahead, the proposed transfer date is 30^th September 2026 and this role will be subject to TUPE transfer to KCHFT.

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