Re: Vision Support and Engagement Officer (Fixed term contract until September 2017) x 2 - Argyll, Bute and Stirling – Ref: 8767
Thank you for your interest in the above position. I am pleased that you are interested in working for RNIB, which achieves such a tremendous amount for blind and partially sighted people.
Our application pack consists of:
· an application form
· a job description and person specification
· our values and behaviours
· an equal opportunities monitoring form
This pack can also be made available to you in large print, Grade 1 or Grade 2 braille, or on disk or tape. Please feel free to ask us if you would prefer to receive it in one of these alternative formats.
If you have a disability and would like assistance in filling in the form then please contact me at least three days before the closing date for the role and we shall be glad to help you.
We only accept CVs from applicants whose disability makes it difficult to complete an application form. All applicants however need to address the specific information we have asked for in the job advert.
The closing date for completed applications is 5pm on 29th July 2016
We will hold interviews on 11th Aug 2016
If you are able to, please complete and return your application form and the equal opportunities monitoring form by email to .
However we will accept braille, audio, disk, typed and handwritten applications sent to HR Administrator, RNIB, Human Resources, 105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE.
We want to ensure that as much of our resources as possible go towards supporting people with sight loss and therefore we do not normally contact unsuccessful applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. However, we would encourage you to apply for other suitable roles.
Once again, thank you for your interest in this vacancy and for working for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Gayle Williamson
Assistant Resourcing Business Partner
0207 391 2257
RNIB Job description
Job title: Vision Support and Engagement Officer (Fixed term contract until September 2017)
Job level cluster: Management, Professional, Specialist
Job level: M3
Group: RNIB Countries
Section: RNIB Scotland
Unit: Visual Impairment and Learning Disability Services (VILD)
Location: Argyll, Bute and Stirling areas
Reports to: VILD UK Practice and Development Training Manager
Purpose of job
To engage with and provide support, information, practical recommendations and onward referrals for people living with sight loss, dementia and complex needs plus their carers within a community setting in the Argyll, Bute and Stirling areas, linking with colleagues in the Highlands region. To organise and deliver vision awareness and vision champion training to professionals across the Argyll, Bute and Stirling areas.
Impact:
Responsible for service delivery, volunteer support and deployment
Financial responsibility:
Must work to agreed parameters for budget expenditure relating to service delivery
Decision making responsibility:
Take responsibility for own actions and make decisions without referring to others in appropriate situations.
Main accountabilities:
1. To engage with customers, families/carers to help cope better with emotional, psychological, social, economic and any other difficulties that may arise following sight loss including but not limited to Dementia and wider complex needs
2. To offer an initial screening of needs and if necessary and agreed with the customer, to refer to the appropriate agency.
3. To identify and engage with eyecare professionals, professionals and carers supporting people with dementia (including allied health professionals) to raise awareness of the impact of sight loss and dementia/complex needs and to generate referrals into the service
4. To identify professionals and carers interested in further training and refer onwards to UK Practice Development Team.
5. Act as a contact person to whom people can return for advice and/or help to facilitate the progress of their referral to another service
6. Build and develop relationships with statutory & local organisations in order to maintain relations/referral pathways for customers
7. Maintain an information resource relating to services for people with serious sight loss, ensuring appropriate signposting to patients and carers
8. Advocate for the complex needs of customers to ensure they receive appropriate and timely services
9. Support the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers throughout the region offering a range of different volunteer opportunities, working closely with the volunteer team and maintain the volunteer database.
10. Maintain a database of customers and contacts made and activity undertaken, ensuring and maintaining confidentiality of all records
11. Compile and issue reports as directed by line manager
12. Attend any steering groups/forums relevant to the services offered in the as directed by line manager Argyll, Bute and Stirling areas, linking with colleagues in the Highlands region.
13. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post
14. Adhere to all RNIB policies and procedures
Person Specification
All criteria are essential unless otherwise stated
1. Specialist knowledge, skills and experience
1.1 Qualification in rehabilitation studies, nursing, Occupational Therapy, optometry or significant other health and social care qualification and experience of delivering health or social care support services.
1.2 Knowledge of a wide range of eye conditions, their treatments and the sources of support available.
1.3 Knowledge of social work and health services, including the roles of professionals within the eye health field.
1.4 Knowledge of current and potential services available to people with sight loss and relevant standards.
1.5 Experience of working in a similar role, or other community based social / health care role working directly with customers.
1.6 Experience and understanding of the need to involve customers and carers in the planning of care packages and / or service development.
1.7 Experience of conducting a health needs assessment for customers and referring onto appropriate support services following the outcome of the assessment.
Desirable
1.8 Experience of working with people with sight loss
2. People management skills / team working skills
2.1 The ability to motivate and empower volunteers including monitoring performance and supervision
2.2 Experience of initiating and generating activity and of taking responsibility for actions, projects and volunteers.
2.3 Ability to lead and work flexibly with the team to complete tasks as required.
3. Planning and organisational skills
3.1 Ability to work in a systematic and methodical way in order to achieve project goals.
3.2 Ability to organise the time of self and volunteers effectively, create work schedules, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
4. Problem-solving and creative skills
4.1 Ability to meet objectives, being a highly motivated self started who is outcome focussed, positive and thrives on challenges.
4.2 Ability to take responsibility for own actions
5. Communication skills
5.1 Ability to communicate clearly and adapt communication where necessary in a structured way and with a range of individuals, both verbally and in writing.
5.2 Ability to have empathy with and provide emotional support to customers whilst remaining objective.
5.3 Experience of the preparation and delivery of presentations in a clear and concise manner.
6. Special conditions
6.1 Must be prepared to travel and attend meetings and training as required which will involve occasional overnight stays.
Appointment is subject to a PVG Check
Behaviours
Deliver results
· Motivates and develops others to continually exceed standards and expectations.
Engage Customers
· Makes systems and processes more customer-friendly, and acts as key “go to” person for customer knowledge for the service area.
Engage others
· Coaches and mentors others in the development of supportive and trusting relationships with colleagues, customers and others which develop and enhance the service and organisation’s profile and reputation.
Set Direction
· Demonstrates awareness of commercial and financial considerations.
· Drives and enables creativity, innovation, improvement and new activities for team and service which contribute to sustaining organisational success.
· Manages change effectively, recognising and addressing the impact of change on people and services.
Lead and inspire
· Creates and leads high performing teams, recognise the importance of leadership in own role and take steps to improve ability to lead and motivate others.
· Displays resilience and takes a rational approach.
Personal impact
· Gains support for position and achieves win/win situations through negotiation and compromise, demonstrating confidence, passion and authority.