Nurse Assessor

Here at Serco, we deliver health assessments that help determine eligibility for benefits on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Our extensive experience supporting complex case management services across the globe and experience of working with the DWP enables us to impact a better future for all. Service users are treated with care and respect, and our colleagues thrive in a supportive culture.

We are looking for Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Paramedics or Pharmacists to join Serco as a Functional Assessor and help deliver a vital service that supports millions of people with health conditions and disabilities.

A Functional Assessor is either a qualified Nurse, Paramedic, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or Pharmacist who conducts unbiased, comprehensive health assessments for the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS) which arranges and conducts assessments for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

HAAS is a new service that will bring together existing assessment services for people with disabilities and health conditions under a single provider in each region of the UK. This will make accessing assessments for benefits simpler for the people who need it.

Our team will be providing assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants or Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) for individuals claiming Universal Credit (UC) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

As a Functional Assessor, you will speak with claimants in a non-clinical environment, either on the phone, face-to-face or online, to carry out functional health assessments to help DWP understand how their disability or condition affects their day-to-day life. With empathy and compassion, you will use your active listening and note-taking skills to produce accurate reports.

You will help claimants get fair outcomes by carrying out functional assessments, consulting with treating healthcare professionals and others who are involved in providing care for the individuals you are assessing, and ensuring final reports are accurate and produced to a high standard. These will be used by DWP decision makers to determine the outcome of claims.

Requirements:

• One year’s post-registration experience as a Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Paramedic or Pharmacist
• Fully registered with a relevant UK regulatory body (NMC, HCPC or other), without restriction or conditions and with a valid PIN
• Excellent observational and communication skills
• Good overall IT skills with the ability to work quickly and produce reports in a timely manner

Why choose Serco?

Serco can offer very competitive salaries and benefits; however, we feel our employees deserve more than just compensation. Our commitment to you is:

• A place you can make a difference: Positively impact millions of lives, through working empathetically with claimants and delivering work you can be proud of.
• A place you can count on: Industry-leading training from Day 1, 'internal-only' career advancement opportunities, one-to-one support, and continued mentorship to help you keep hitting your goals.
• A place for you: Here you will be part of a community, with a wide range of employee networks, flexible benefits and the opportunity to have your say.

What are the perks?

• Starting salary range from £37,500 - £45,500 depending on location and specialty
• £1000 salary uplift after your first 6 months and a further £1000 salary uplift after 12 months
• Work-life balance: Serco offers 9am - 5pm contracts with no nights, weekends or shifts required.
• Up to 10% quality and performance bonus once you are an Approved Functional Assessor
• The role is a Hybrid position with a minimum of 2 days per week working at one of our consultation centres
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holiday and the option to purchase up to five additional days
• Brilliant internal progression opportunities
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Health and wellbeing benefits including: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime Helpline, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, and 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres
• A paid volunteering day each year

At Serco, it is important to us that we are honest and transparent with all current and future employees. Although many people love working in this sector, it isn’t for everyone. This role may not be for you if:

• You want to keep treating patients: Although the role of a Functional Assessor requires you to see a variety of conditions, there is no treatment involved, and some clinicians may miss the hands-on healthcare element of their previous roles.
• You don’t want to retrain: In most cases, the clinicians we hire have never worked in this type of role before, so we take you through a comprehensive training programme to become an approved Functional Assessor.
• You dislike writing reports: All clinicians are competent assessors; however, reports need to be completed to a high standard too.

Remember, there are new skills to learn from the outset, but our team are dedicated to training and supporting you, to ensure you are happy and competent in your role.

Recruitment process: This is a brand new, five-year contract. We have opportunities available now, or if you are interested in joining us in the future, you can register your interest here or reach out to our recruitment team.

About Serco: At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks - SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all.