HAAS is a new service that will bring together existing assessment services, for disabled people and people with health conditions, under one single provider within each geographical location. This makes accessing support more simplified and easier for some of our society’s most vulnerable individuals.

Capita will deliver assessment for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), as well as numerous special benefits including Child Disability Living Allowance (CDLA) and Veterans UK assessments.

As a functional specialist you will be multi-skilled to manage a caseload through the end-to-end journey. In this role, you will conduct an initial review of evidence to determine whether a report can be completed. if required, you may need to acquire further medical evidence from other health professionals such as GP’s, consultants or community psychiatric nurses via a telephone call.

If an assessment is required it may conducted through a telephone call, live video chat or through a face-to-face appointment at an assessment centre. Approximately 20% of these consultations will happen in a face-to-face appointment. You then will prepare and submit a report to the department, reaching evidence based conclusions on an individual basis.

Requirements for the role:

• Must be a nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or paramedic with a licence to practice within the United Kingdom.
• Must be fully registered with the relevant licencing body (NMC, HCPC, GMC).
• Have at least 1 years post registration experience.
• Have valid right to work within the United Kingdom.
• Hold a valid driving licence or access to transport.
• Pass a government Baseline Personnel Security Standard vetting with DBS or Access NI.

You will be trained to:

• Have appropriate knowledge of the clinical and functional effects of a wide range of health conditions and disabilities.
• Have the appropriate skills in assessing individuals with physical health conditions, including history taking, observation and ability to perform relevant examinations.
• Have the appropriate skills in assessing individuals with conditions affecting mental, intellectual and cognitive function, including history taking, observation and ability to perform relevant examinations.
• To be able to critically evaluate evidence and use logical reasoning to provide accurate, evidence-based advice.
• Have excellent intrapersonal and written communication that include the ability to:
  • Interact sensitively and appropriately, with particular regard for an individuals cultural background and issues specific to disabled individuals.
  • Take a comprehensive, appropriately focused and clear history.
  • Acutely record observations and formal clinical findings.
  • Produce succinct, accurate reports in plain English, fully justifying conclusions from evidence gathered, and dealing appropriately with apparent conflicts of evidence and fluctuating conditions.