Public Health Specialist Practitioner – AR

Job Details

Job Description – Public Health Specialist Practitioner (Healthcare Public Health)

Job Title:

Public Health Specialist Practitioner – Healthcare Public Health

Department:

Public Health

Location:

Thurrock Council

Contract:

Maternity Cover

Role Purpose

To support the delivery of healthcare public health priorities across Thurrock by working collaboratively with NHS partners, council teams and wider stakeholders to improve population health outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

The postholder will provide specialist public health advice, lead public health projects, support evidence-based commissioning and contribute to service improvement initiatives that promote prevention, early intervention and improved healthcare outcomes.

Working as part of the Healthcare Public Health team, the role will help translate population health intelligence into practical interventions, supporting the delivery of priorities identified within the Council’s Corporate Plan, Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Public Health Service Delivery Plan.

Key Responsibilities

Healthcare Public Health & Partnership Working

  • Work closely with NHS Primary Care, Integrated Care Board (ICB) partners, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and council services to improve health outcomes.
  • Develop and maintain effective partnerships across health, social care, community organisations and wider stakeholders.
  • Provide specialist public health advice to support prevention-focused approaches and reduce health inequalities.

Public Health Programme Delivery

  • Lead and support the delivery of healthcare public health projects and improvement programmes.
  • Support the commissioning, monitoring and continuous improvement of public health services, including the NHS Health Checks programme.
  • Develop evidence-based pathways and targeted interventions based on local population health needs.
  • Monitor outcomes, evaluate impact and identify opportunities for service improvement.

Data Analysis & Health Intelligence

  • Use public health intelligence, research and evidence to understand population health needs.
  • Analyse and interpret data from sources including:
    • Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA)
    • Health Needs Assessments
    • Health Equity Audits
    • Director of Public Health reports
  • Produce high-quality reports, briefings and recommendations to support decision-making.

Commissioning & Service Improvement

  • Support the commissioning and performance management of public health services.
  • Review service outcomes, quality measures and performance information.
  • Identify opportunities to improve healthcare pathways and population health interventions.
  • Contribute to quality assurance and continuous improvement processes.

Strategy & Policy Development

  • Support the development and implementation of public health strategies, policies and plans.
  • Ensure health inequalities and equality considerations are embedded into service planning and delivery.
  • Provide evidence-based recommendations to inform commissioning and strategic priorities.

Essential Experience & Skills

Candidates should have:

  • Significant experience working within a public health role in a complex public sector environment.
  • Experience delivering public health programmes, projects or improvement initiatives.
  • Experience working with NHS, local government or healthcare partners.
  • Experience undertaking or contributing to:
    • Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JSNA)
    • Health Needs Assessments
    • Health Equity Audits
  • Knowledge and understanding of:
    • Health inequalities
    • Population health
    • Health promotion
    • Epidemiology and statistics
    • Evidence-based public health practice
  • Experience supporting commissioning and monitoring of public health services.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Excellent communication, influencing and partnership-working skills.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to deadlines.

Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential:

  • Degree in Public Health or related subject, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development within public health.
  • Strong understanding of public health principles, health improvement models and community development.
  • Understanding of NHS and local government structures and the relationship between health and social care.

Desirable:

  • Working towards or achieved UKPHR registration as a Public Health Practitioner.
  • Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2).

Ideal Candidate Background

The successful candidate will likely have worked as a:

  • Public Health Practitioner
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Public Health Programme Manager
  • Health Improvement Manager
  • Population Health Manager
  • Public Health Commissioning Manager

with experience in a local authority public health team, NHS, ICB or healthcare commissioning environment.