Job summary
The Head of Patient Flow and Discharge, in conjunction with the relevant Divisional Leadership Teams (DLTs), is responsible for the operational management of inpatient flow and site/bed management services (24/7).
The Head of Patient Flow & Discharge will work closely with the relevant Clinical Leads, Senior Nurses, and Divisional management teams to provide direction and leadership to ensure services are maintained and continue to improve and develop.
The Head of Patient Flow & Discharge will manage specific projects and initiatives as agreed with them and will take the lead on additional specific projects as and when required.
To provide strategic direction and operational oversight and accountability for the operational site team, patient flow and discharge functions for QEH. To influence services and enable patient pathways within and beyond QEH to achieve optimum hospital performance.
Main duties of the job
- Lead the effective delivery of the operational strategy for bed management within QEH
- Provide visible leadership for the safe and effective management of beds across the Trust.
- Employ Trust escalation plans effectively, engaging with all Divisions and external stakeholders should deficits in bed plans arise.
- Be accountable for the delivery of operational and performance targets in emergency care, systematically identifying and addressing areas for improvement.
- Lead initiatives to improve (reduce) patient's length of stay, avoid delays, and facilitate pre-noon discharge.
- Ensure bed management and Trust capacity policies are reviewed and updated regularly.
- Working with the Deputy Chief Operating Officer develop robust internal performance management systems which enable the Trust to adhere to or exceed plans, standards and targets.
About us
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) King's Lynn is West Norfolk has a superb unspoilt coastline with pretty villages, all with their own individual charm. The medieval port of King's Lynn has some very interesting architecture.
We provide a comprehensive range of specialist and general acute services to around 331,000 people across West and North Norfolk, in addition to parts of Breckland, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire. We have more than 4,000 staff and volunteers and approximately 500 beds on a single site. Some specialist services and clinics are provided in community facilities, such as the North Cambridgeshire hospital in Wisbech. We work in partnership with neighbouring hospitals for the provision of tertiary services.
In February 2022 the QEH the Care Quality Commission rated the Trust as 'Good' in all of the core services they inspected, and recommended the Trust moves out of the recovery support system (formerly special measures).
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about this post, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information about this post, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Management Degree or equivalent (or in exceptional circumstance - able to demonstrate significant level of equivalent experience)
- A formal post graduate qualification, ideally in management or equivalent senior level experience
Desirable
- Registered Nurse or other professional
Experience
Essential
- Relevant management experience within the NHS, with specialist training to at least masters level.
- Experience of service redesign and development
- A proven record of success in managing operational change while also developing and maintaining high standards of quality.
- Experience of effective management of significant revenue budget and of effective leadership of staff
- A proven success in business planning and in the development and effective implementation of strategic plans
- Experience of leading and supervising a team
Desirable
- Experience of working in UEC (ED/AMU or similar) with strong background in patient flow and performance management
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge and understanding of NHS targets and other topical NHS issues
- Excellent communication skills, including negotiation, with the proven ability to liaise effectively within a multidisciplinary team-based environment.
- Project management and analytical skills A sound understanding of the issues affecting the Professions involved in this service area.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development of self and others.
- Knowledge of equalities issues and strong commitment to the promotion of equality in employment.
- A clear understanding of the components of Clinical Governance and how these contribute to an integrated and quality driven service.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of multidisciplinary issues and commitment to multidisciplinary working
- IT literate: proficient in the use of word processing and spreadsheet packages Ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks within agreed time scales.
- Evidence of political awareness and sensitivity to the high profile of the service and the Trust
Aptitude
Essential
- An ability to demonstrate in-depth Knowledge of current thinking and policy affecting health and public sector.
- Knowledge of equalities issues and strong commitment to the promotion of equality in employment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Management Degree or equivalent (or in exceptional circumstance - able to demonstrate significant level of equivalent experience)
- A formal post graduate qualification, ideally in management or equivalent senior level experience
Desirable
- Registered Nurse or other professional
Experience
Essential
- Relevant management experience within the NHS, with specialist training to at least masters level.
- Experience of service redesign and development
- A proven record of success in managing operational change while also developing and maintaining high standards of quality.
- Experience of effective management of significant revenue budget and of effective leadership of staff
- A proven success in business planning and in the development and effective implementation of strategic plans
- Experience of leading and supervising a team
Desirable
- Experience of working in UEC (ED/AMU or similar) with strong background in patient flow and performance management
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge and understanding of NHS targets and other topical NHS issues
- Excellent communication skills, including negotiation, with the proven ability to liaise effectively within a multidisciplinary team-based environment.
- Project management and analytical skills A sound understanding of the issues affecting the Professions involved in this service area.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development of self and others.
- Knowledge of equalities issues and strong commitment to the promotion of equality in employment.
- A clear understanding of the components of Clinical Governance and how these contribute to an integrated and quality driven service.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of multidisciplinary issues and commitment to multidisciplinary working
- IT literate: proficient in the use of word processing and spreadsheet packages Ability to meet deadlines and complete tasks within agreed time scales.
- Evidence of political awareness and sensitivity to the high profile of the service and the Trust
Aptitude
Essential
- An ability to demonstrate in-depth Knowledge of current thinking and policy affecting health and public sector.
- Knowledge of equalities issues and strong commitment to the promotion of equality in employment.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT
Address
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation Trust, Gayton Road, Kings Lynn, PE30 4ET
Gayton Road
Kings Lynn
PE30 4ET
Employer's website
https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
