Job Description

South Durham Health CIC and Central Durham GP Providers are GP Federations and managing agents for eight Primary Care Networks in and around Easington, Sedgefield and Durham.

We also hold a number of Local Authority and NHS contracts, delivering additional services to our patient populations.

We are delighted to be able to offer four posts across the County Durham area. Two successful candidates will be employed by South Durham Health CIC and a further two successful candidates will be employed by Central Durham GP Providers (please specify your preferred location for work). (Terms and conditions may vary between both employers).

The role of the Smoking Cessation Advisor will be to be trained (if not already completed) as an NCSCT certified stop smoking practitioner to support the delivery of evidenced based, equitable stop smoking services to help to reduce health inequalities throughout general practices in County Durham. This will include the delivery of services within areas of most deprivation. It is essential that the postholder can work flexibly, independently and as part of a team.

This role will have a particular focus on supporting patients from the County Durham area and the postholder will be required to work closely with relevant partner organisations to best service the needs of patients in the County Durham area. While the core function of the role will be to deliver stop-smoking interventions, there will be an element of engagement and pathway development to support the growth and sustainability of this workstream.

This post will work under the line management of the Federation's Management team. The role will be varied, challenging, and rewarding as the services develop as part of the national 10 - year plan.

You will be a motivated, passionate, organised, and proactive individual.

Key Responsibilities

Motivate and empower patients from County Durham Practices to make changes to address their addiction

Work with key partners to establish effective referral pathways and raise awareness of stop smoking support within general practice setting.

Become embedded within general practice settings, building rapport with both prospective patients and staff within the organisations.

Become a conduit between Smokefree County Durham and organisations, to support the establishment of effective communication and feedback processes.

Communicate regularly with partner staff to identify training needs and deliver training around IBA and Level 2 delivery where appropriate.

Support the promotion of the Smokefree County Durham service within the South Durham practices.

Report against key KPIs in line with the Smokefree Generation Grant funding.

Provide regular, high-quality case studies from patients.

Explain to patients the principles of the Stop Smoking Service to enable them to make informed choices

Deliver evidence-based stop smoking interventions, these include one to one, drop in, group sessions, telephone, or on-line support, these must be in accordance with the NCSCT Standard Treatment Programme.

Work with other professionals to embed smoking cessation is part of routine patient care

Maximise the impact of smoking cessation on health gains and reduce health inequalities

To understand the analysis of health and equalities data including service data identifying local need to inform local service need

Provide a high quality, efficient and cost-effective services throughout a diverse range of community and health settings

Lead peer support group sessions for successful quitters following intervention to prevent relapse

Provide evidence-based education in all aspects of smoking cessation and behavioural change as well on- going motivational support

Work with individuals to set realistic sustainable goals

Ensure all patient and service records are up to date, accurate and satisfy the County Durham Health documentation policies

Manage a caseload

To engage and recruit potential clients at promotional and community events

Provide administrative assistance to the service in terms of patient contacts, appointment bookings and confirmations

Identify opportunities to develop and improve services for patients

Maintain own knowledge of evidence-based methods and integrate new research into practices

Assist in the organisation of the workload ensuring effective and efficient communication to other staff members

To conduct stakeholder engagement, identify and strengthen referral pathways and identify potential co-working opportunities

Attend stakeholder meetings as required

Attend regular Stop Smoking Service Meetings

Attend training as required and keep up to date with the wider aspects of Tobacco Control

Attend all training, internal and external to support the role

Skills and Competencies Required

Understanding of addiction

Positive and proactive outlook with the ability to motivate, engage and support others to achieve the highest standards and outcomes.

Adept in communication; A strong communicator who adapts the message to fit the needs of the audience including patients and staff at all levels

Build strong relationships, foster trust and co-operation among colleagues, stakeholders throughout community settings

Quality driven; you naturally seek high standards and actively seek to improve them.

Value, and remain open to new ideas and perspectives.

The post holder will comply with the organisation's policies and procedures:

Special Working Conditions

You will be required to travel independently between practice sites (where applicable), community settings and to attend meetings with other agencies. Access to own vehicle would be advantageous.

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Pay: 13.15 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/09/2025