We’re the team delivering the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS) on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in the Midlands and Wales, and in Northern Ireland for the Department for Communities (DfC).
The Health Assessment Advisory Service arranges and carries out assessments for the DWP and DfC. The purpose of the assessment is to understand how a health condition or disability affects a person’s daily life. After the assessment, DWP or DfC make the decision as to whether the individual will receive any benefits. It will make accessing support simpler and easier for some of society’s most vulnerable people.
We deliver assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC), as well as several specialist benefits including Child Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Veterans UK assessments.
Our functional specialists are a multi-skilled team of qualified clinicians managing a caseload through the assessment journey. They help us deliver a personalised, inclusive, safe, and empathetic service. As part of the team, you’ll be responsible for collecting the right evidence at the right time to support efficient decision-making. We’ll empower you to manage cases to conclusion, giving you greater autonomy and wider job variety.
You’ll conduct an initial review followed by a detailed assessment, either on paper, phone, video, or in-person, with an expected 20% of consultations conducted face-to-face.
You’ll collect further medical evidence from external health professionals by phone and use new technology, for which you’ll be trained, to streamline assessments, benefiting both you and your customers.
You’ll use your clinical expertise and training to critically evaluate all the information gathered and use logical reasoning to provide accurate, individualised insights and advice.
You’ll create a thorough 3,000-4,000-word report with clinical findings and evidence-based recommendations, which will contribute to the DWP or DfC’s benefit entitlement decisions.
To apply, you must have:
- one year's post-registration experience as a nurse, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or paramedic.
- fully registered with a relevant UK regulatory body (NMC, HCPC or other), without restriction or conditions and with a valid PIN.
- excellent observational and communication skills, giving you the ability to listen, empathise and dig deeper.
- the ability to work quickly, producing reports in a timely manner and hitting targets.
- solid experience with using IT and Microsoft Office, as well as remotely accessing systems.
Ability to travel to one of our consultation centres – you’ll need to live within commuting distance to one of our consultation centres and hold a valid driving licence or have access to a form of transport.
Ability to undergo pre-employment screening checks – you’ll undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) vetting before you start. This means you’ll need to disclose any unspent criminal convictions and provide proof of your identity, your right to work in the UK, and at least 3 years employment history.
Ability to work safely and privately from home – in order to work remotely, you’ll need a private area with a suitable desk and chair to hold confidential conversations with customers without interruption; alternatively, you can work full time from your nearest consultation centre.
Communication
You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and ability to build rapport.
Working independently
You’re exceptional at time management and prioritisation. You work well under pressure but ask for help when needed.
Adaptability
You’re able to deal with change positively and enjoy adapting to different claimants and situations daily.
Resilience
You can work with challenging claimants and scenarios and accept constructive feedback to help you develop.
Caring and non-judgemental
You’re sensitive, caring, approachable and empathetic. You build trust and interact sensitively and appropriately.
Process-oriented
You thrive in a structured environment, following guidelines. You’re practical, pragmatic, and organised.
We know that becoming a functional specialist can be a real change for many healthcare professionals and present quite a different way of working. This role can be challenging, especially during the first six months, so we’ve spent time developing a comprehensive training programme to support you as you get up to speed. You’ll be trained to use your existing skills in new ways as you become accredited by the DWP or DfC in disability assessment for PIP.
Although I’m not directly providing care to people anymore, I still feel I’m having a positive impact on people’s lives every day.
Apply
Apply online through our recruitment system
Screening
Discuss the role with our recruitment team
Interview
Complete face to face or virtual interview
Pre-employment screening
Complete our standard pre-employment screening checks
Onboarding
Submit your employment documents and join the team
We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees
As a Disability Confident Leader we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. Adaptations are available on request. For further information or to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need, please contact us on haasrecruitment@capita.com or 0300 303 8544
