Health Improvement Practitioner - Prison Health Care

About the organisation

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is among the largest healthcare providers in the UK, with around 40,000 staff working across clinical and non-clinical services. It delivers acute, primary, community and mental health care to more than 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The opportunity

This post sits within the Prison Healthcare Health Improvement Team and is focused on helping people in custody make positive changes that improve health and reduce harm. The role is aimed at tackling health inequalities and supporting health improvement work across the prison estate in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

You will help shape and deliver peer mentor activity and alcohol and drug harm reduction work in prisons. A central part of the job is preparing people in custody to act as peer mentors, giving them the knowledge and confidence to support others in a meaningful way.

The post also includes delivering naloxone training to help reduce the risk of drug-related deaths, and supporting peer mentors so they can help deliver that training within the prison setting. You will run structured learning sessions for individuals and groups on topics such as substance use, harm reduction, smoking cessation and oral health.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to wider improvement programmes including Quit Your Way for smoking cessation and Mouth Matters for oral health. The environment is challenging, but the work is varied and highly rewarding.

Working arrangements

The post is fixed term and full time, for 36 hours per week. It is based primarily at HMP Barlinnie, 81 Lee Avenue, G33 2QX, with travel required across prisons in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

The usual shift pattern is Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm, with one earlier finish at 2:30pm each week. An information session at the prison is required before interview, and interviews will be held in person.

What the role involves

• Lead and develop peer mentor programmes within prisons.
• Support alcohol and drug harm reduction activity across the prison estate.
• Prepare and encourage people in custody to become peer mentors.
• Deliver naloxone training and support others to deliver it too.
• Run one-to-one and group sessions on substance use, harm reduction, smoking cessation and oral health.
• Contribute to broader public health work such as Quit Your Way and Mouth Matters.
• Work independently while remaining part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.

Who this role suits

This opportunity will suit someone who is committed to health improvement and reducing inequality, confident in training delivery, and able to connect with a wide range of people. The right candidate will be organised, proactive, resilient and comfortable working in a challenging environment.

Requirements and experience

You should hold a health-related degree, or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience. A solid understanding of public health and health inequalities is expected. Experience in substance use, harm reduction, or work in similarly demanding environments would be an advantage.

Further knowledge, training, qualifications and experience required for the post are set out in the attached job description.

Benefits and support

NHS Scotland offers a range of employee support and development benefits, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary support and extensive learning and development opportunities.

• At least 27 days of annual leave, rising with service, plus public holidays.
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme with life insurance benefits.
• Salary sacrifice car benefit scheme.
• Access to study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based learning.
• Enhanced pay for public holiday working.
• Discounts on a wide range of goods and services.
• Confidential employee support, including counselling and psychological therapies.

Additional information

If you want an informal conversation about the role, please contact Claire Murphy, HI Senior, on 0141 770 2000 ext 232616 or via claire.murphy7@nhs.scot.

Applicants are reminded that AI tools may be used for planning or proofreading only; submitted responses must be their own work. Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde supports flexible working where service needs allow, and applicants seeking flexible arrangements are encouraged to apply where appropriate. The organisation promotes equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The organisation is also a Forces Friendly Employer and welcomes applications from the Armed Forces community, recognising relevant military skills, experience and qualifications during recruitment.

For application portal or login issues, applicants should contact the recruitment service in the first instance.

This employer does not provide visa sponsorship information in the advert.