Stop Smoking Practitioner in Shepton Mallet

You’ll be playing a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of Somerset residents. You will do this through one-to-one, group and telephone-based interventions, where you will provide evidence based behavioural support and access to stop smoking therapies. You will empower individuals to make informed decisions about quitting smoking and support them throughout their quitting journey.

You’ll be working as part of the Smokefree Somerset Service, collaborating closely with other health professionals and community organisations. Through outreach, promotional activities and training, you will extend the reach of the service and contribute to reducing health inequalities across Somerset.

What you’ll do - key responsibilities

• Deliver face-to-face and telephone support sessions, providing a positive and encouraging environment.
• Provide specialist support and advice to people in Somerset who wish to quit smoking.
• Explain to clients the principles of Stop Smoking Services so that they can make an informed choice to stop smoking or vaping.
• Motivate and empower clients to make behaviour changes.
• Explain the impact of smoking on all areas of an individual’s health and the impact of active and passive smoking throughout the life course.
• Work seamlessly across the GoSmokefree and Smokefree Families programmes.
• Participate in promotional events.

What we’re looking for – knowledge, experience & skills

• An understanding of group work skills / group dynamics and the ability to put these into practice.
• Knowledge of the impact of smoking and vaping on health and wellbeing outcomes.
• A good understanding of the effects that smoking and second-hand smoke has in pregnancy on parent, baby and families.
• Experience of working in a related field.
• Experience of managing a caseload.
• BTEC, HND or Degree or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant field e.g. public health, health promotion, social care, psychology.
• Previous experience of working in a related/similar field.
• Facilitation skills with both clients and professional groups.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with groups and individuals across a range of backgrounds and settings.
• Writing and maintaining concise records.
• Computer literate, using MS Office suite of programmes.
• Assessment and counselling skills (group and individual).
• Ability to adapt to new working practices in response to organisation change and shifts in evidence base.
• Self-awareness and self-management to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
• Good organisational skills and ability to work to deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An enthusiasm for improving health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Commitment to professional and organisational development.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with others, including with clients and their support networks.
• Professional telephone manner.
• Strong administration skills and excellent client database input skills.
• Access to a personal vehicle for travel.
• Awareness of the debates surrounding the use of vapes/e-cigarettes.
• Knowledge of pharmacotherapy issues relating to stopping smoking (training will be provided).
• Knowledge of current trends and underlying principles in the need to reduce tobacco consumption and vaping from a public health perspective.
• Knowledge of behaviour change models.
• Understanding of the concepts of health promotion theory and practice.
• Experience of delivering stop smoking/ vaping behavioural support and treatment.
• Motivational Interviewing or Behaviour Change training or experience.
• Make Every Contact Count training.
• Basic NCSCT accredited training.

Additional Information

• This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week.
• This is a fixed-term position until 31 March 2029.
• Flexible and hybrid working (1-2 days per week in the office).
• 30 days of annual leave (additional to bank holidays).
• Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship.
• A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.