Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Diabetes Lay Educator to join Whittington Health Adult Community Services.
The postholder will play a key role in delivering high‑quality, evidence‑based DESMOND structured education for adults with Type 2 diabetes, helping people build the skills and confidence to self‑manage their condition.
Main duties of the job
You will organise and facilitate DESMOND sessions twice weekly, prepare session materials, follow up with non‑attenders, and complete all associated data entry, evaluation and audit reporting on the DESMOND database.
Alongside group education, you will provide one‑to‑one follow‑up consultations by telephone, support concurrent clinics with the Diabetes Specialist Nurses, and contribute to patient pathway coordination across the Long‑Term Conditions service. Weekly activities include reviewing referrals, supporting clinic administration, updating patient records, contributing to audit and KPI reporting, and participating in team meetings. You will also help raise awareness of diabetes across Haringey and Islington, initiating contact with local community groups and supporting health promotion activities.
This is a dynamic, forward‑thinking service that values innovation, shared learning and evidence‑based practice. You will work closely with specialist diabetes practitioners and the wider MDT, gaining experience across community diabetes pathways. The role requires excellent communication skills, strong organisation, and the ability to work independently while managing a varied caseload. We offer excellent training and development opportunities, with support from an experienced Long‑Term Conditions team. The post is based across Haringey and Islington, with travel to community sites as required.
Working for our organisation
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Duties:
Work under the supervision of Diabetes Specialist practitioners to delivery service for adult community services across Haringey and Islington.
Coordinate and organise patient appointments, including one-to-one consultations and group education sessions (virtual and face-to-face).
Support and facilitate structured diabetes education programmes such as DESMOND, helping to deliver group sessions for patients with Type 2 diabetes and their careers. Training as a DESMOND Lay Educator will be provided if required.
Run concurrent clinics alongside the Diabetes Specialist Nurse (DSN), supporting clinic flow, patient education and reinforcement of agreed care plans.
Manage and prioritise a delegated patient caseload under the supervision of clinicians, providing practical support and feedback to the multidisciplinary diabetes team regarding patient progress.
Reinforce agreed care plans with patients and carers, including dietary and lifestyle advice, supporting patients to self-manage their diabetes and maintain independence.
Promote healthy eating and diabetes self-management in line with national guidance and local public health priorities.
Work independently in community settings, including patient homes, while maintaining regular communication with the diabetes team.
Record patient information accurately and maintain up-to-date electronic patient records using Trust systems such as Rio.
Person specification
General Education and Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Education to GCSE level or equivalent
2. Willingness to complete Diabetes Structured Education training appropriate to the role
Desirable criteria
3. Administrative skills/experience
Professional Qualification and Experience
Essential criteria
4. Extensive experience of working in an office environment.
5. Experience of working with diabetes or Long Term Conditions Service.
6. Experience of working in a clinical environment
Desirable criteria
7. Experience in running educational sessions for the community
8. Experience of working as an Assistant Practitioner
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
9. Good written and verbal communication skills – able to deal with complex, sensitive issues on a one-to-one basis, in group settings and via interpreters
10. Ability to work own initiative and in a team
11. Time management skills
12. Organisation skills and flexible approach
13. Knowledge of administrative systems, admission, patient information systems, clerical / office procedures, data input procedures acquired through on-the-job training.
14. Demonstrates interest in Diabetes
Desirable criteria
15. Awareness of local needs e.g., ethnic minority
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
16. Enthusiasm to work in clinical setting and with patient groups
17. Able to take responsibility under guidance
18. Able to prioritise and manage busy workload
19. Demonstrates ability to work as a team member
20. Demonstrate proactive with CPD
21. Able to use initiative
Effort and Environment
Essential criteria
22. Using anthropometric equipment, such as weighing scales and stadiometer
23. Able to carry equipment (e.g., weighing scales) within the boroughs whilst travelling to and from patient homes
24. To deal sensitively with clients that may be suffering from conditions that may lead to anxiety, fear, or aggressive behaviour
25. To work in an environment where work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from clinical staff, assistants, and administrative staff
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
26. Basic IT skills
27. Flexible in working across sites
28. European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
29. Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
30. Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
31. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
32. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
33. Participate in required training and supervision.
34. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.