Head of Outpatients (Eastern)

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The Trusts Outpatient Improvement Plan provides us with huge opportunities to deliver exciting new ways to support patient care and deliver efficient services; from Patient Initiated appointments, virtual appointments and patient self-booking appointments. Do you have the skills to help us deliver this?

As well as Service Improvement opportunities the role requires operational experience, with over 30 areas providing outpatient services across the Trusts acute and community services. The post holder will have key working relationships with all outpatient departments. Our Eastern Outpatient Departments include our main General Outpatient Department as well as specialty rooms across the Wonford site, Ottery St Mary and Budlake at Whipton Hospital.

You will provide operational leadership and support to our Central Support and Booking teams and specialist advice to Care Groups on the best practice in outpatient and booking procedures.

You will work as part of our Outpatient and Elective team to ensure outpatient resources are used appropriately, that patients are booked in according to a standard operating policy and you will work closely with your Northern and community site counterparts to ensure the patient experience is the same across our Trust.

Key Result Areas Include:

• Support the development and implementation of an Outpatient Service Strategy and Vision for the Trust.
• Standardisation of booking processes and leadership for Central Support and Booking Teams
• Implementation of an electronic room booking solution and ensuring all rooms are utilised appropriately
• Monitoring of Outpatient data overseeing improvements in the number of patient initiated appointments and advice and guidance requests
• Working with colleagues to ensure patients receive a good experience in our outpatient departments

This is a great opportunity to be involved in an exciting programme of change as we support the Trust to move towards its objective of Excellence and Innovation in patient care.

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 0830 - 1630

Interview Date: 26th August 2025

Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2025/6 rates, inclusive of a 3.6% pay award which will be implemented later this year. If you join before the implementation date, the pay award will be backdated to your start date. Until then, remuneration will be based on the 2024/5 pay bandings (Pay scales for 2024/25 | NHS Employers)

For further information please contact: Rowenna Rutherford, General Manager; Outpatients and Access on rowenna.rutherford@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

Essential

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5DW

Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)