The purpose of this post involves having an Armed Forces Community Support Officer to provide additional support and co-ordination with services within the NHS both Acute and Community settings and Armed Forces charities; and make other improvements that would benefit the Armed Forces community to support veterans within East Lancashire to overcome barriers and maintain Safe Personal and Effective care.

The Armed Forces Community Support Officer will support Veterans of all the services through "out of hospital" pathways, from admission avoidance to expediting discharge, ensuring all patients receive safe, personal and effective care throughout their NHS Journey. Although the Armed Forces Community Support officer is primarily based at Royal Blackburn Hospital, they will also support patients across the whole ELHT community area.

Access to a Vehicle will be needed to allow the successful candidate to reach these areas., They will liaise closely with many other multi-disciplinary teams including complex case managers, social services, pharmacy, theatre staff, ward staff, ward managers, matrons and senior management. They will liaise and meet external agencies and charities within the Armed forces community.

Excellent communication is vital to the smooth running of the service. To provide a supporting role around Veterans and Reservists specific issues

The post holder will be an integral part of the Armed Forces Veteran Team, ensuring their experience and skills in administration, support the team of both registered nursing staff and admin and clerical staff. The veterans Community Support Officer will be directly line manager by East Lancashire Hospitals Veteran Team Manager.

This is a small team comprising of the Team Leader and Senior Lead. we have a proud commitment to our Armed Forces and wider community. we aim to provide a quality service in line with the Armed Force Covenant Duty and NHS Long Term Plan.