Breathing Space Advisor

Breathing Space Advisor

Are you passionate about supporting individuals who are experiencing Mental Health problems?

Do you have a firm understanding of key issues related to mental health and mental distress?

Can you demonstrate the ability to work under pressure and utilise critical decision-making skills?

Who We Are

As NHS Scotland's unique provider of a national tele-health and tele-care service, we are responsible for the delivery of health advice and information by telephone and online services to the population of Scotland 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NHS 24 is a patient-focused service providing the people of Scotland with triage, advice, guidance, referral and information on health and healthcare services.

Where We Are

Our Regional Centres are located at Hillington, Cardonald, Clydebank, South Queensferry, Dundee and Aberdeen.  This role can be based in our Hillington or South Queensferry Regional Centres. More details and centre addresses can be found within the job pack.

The Role

As a Breathing Space Advisor, you will be part of a busy and growing team playing your part in helping to improve mental health outcomes across Scotland.

Breathing Space receives around 14,000 calls each month from people experiencing low mood, anxiety, and depression. You will provide a confidential, compassionate, and expert response by listening, advising, and signposting callers on to appropriate resources and support services.

As part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary team at NHS 24 you can make a real difference to people’s lives with a career that is exceptionally rewarding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Use counselling skills to provide advice and information to people who are suffering from low mood and mental health problems.
• You will provide a confidential and compassionate response by facilitating a supportive space which empowers callers. 
• You will provide support on both webchat and telephone.
• Refer callers to appropriate resources and support groups available locally and nationally.
• Utilise counselling skills to provide guidance to callers using professional and compassionate language.
• Participate in ongoing audit and evaluation of the service.
• Promote continuous improvements of the service in line with the requirements of clinical governance.
• Maintain and develop professional and clinical knowledge, understanding and competencies in line with the requirements of the post through performance appraisal systems and supervision.
• Work closely with all members of the team promoting effective team working.
• Respect caller confidentiality at all times, working within Breathing Space protocols.

Successful applicant will:

• Have relevant professional qualification or experience i.e., RMN, Social Work, Psychological Therapies
• Demonstrate significant experience working in a relevant setting, preferably a telephone/text-based support setting.
• Show evidence of a firm understanding of key issues related to mental health and mental distress.
• Demonstrate an understanding & experience of suicide intervention approaches (e.g.: ASIST)
• Hold strong critical decision-making skills.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to work within defined boundaries and adhere to strict guidelines.

Our Enhanced Salary Package:

NHS 24 offers a complete benefits package, with a permanent contract on Band 5 £31,892 - £39,735* (pro rata for part-time hours).

• Basic Hourly Rate of £16.53
• Saturday / After 8pm Weekday Hourly Rate of £24.79
• Sunday / Public Holiday Hourly Rate of £33.06

*Placement on salary scale is dependent on confirmation of previous relevant NHS service.

Benefits:

We also offer you many supportive policies to enhance your employee journey and have a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Provider, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and a range of learning and development. As an NHS Scotland employee you will be entitled to:

• 35 days annual leave (rising to 41) pro-rata.
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses.
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays.
• Enrolment into the Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) pension scheme
• NHS discounts on goods and services
• HELP, employee support and assistance

Interested?

Please access the Digital Job Pack and Person Specification for full details of NHS 24 and this opportunity as well as the Digital Candidate Application Guide which will support you in your application. 

We recommend that prior to application candidates read all the information provided in the Job Pack as it contains much of the information about NHS 24 and this vacancy to support a successful application.

NHS 24 is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups of people currently underrepresented within the workforce.  We are a committed participant in the Disability Confident Leader Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for our vacancies.