Job summary
Assistant Service Manager
Department: Medicine
Band: 5
Hours: 37.5
This post is for an Assistant Service Manager in Medicine where the post holder will be expected to support the Service Manager in the day to day running of the Services in that aligned CSU.
The post holder will need to demonstrate initiative, attention to detail, relationship building, communication, team working, data analysis and problem solving. Ideally, the post holder will have knowledge of the NHS, operational targets such as Referral to Treat and Diagnostics, management or understanding of patient pathways and strong computer skills.
This is an amazing opportunity to join a dynamic and supportive team and start a career in NHS Operations. As a team we are encouraging of career development and will help facilitate any training requirements or areas the post holder would like to develop.
If you have any questions or require any further information, please contact -Michelle Stewart, Service Manager- Speciality Medicine: 01908 660033
Interview date: 09.02.2026
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"- NHS Survey, 2024''They feel supported in their employers making reasonable adjustments to help them carry out their work, rating an 82.9%
The Assistant Service Manager will work closely with the Operational and Clinical teams to provide a highly effective and efficient service delivery for the Directorate.
The post holder will have an operational lead role for all administrative functions
with additional responsibilities, working under the direction of the Operational team.
The post holder will have a key role in aiding to deliver the operational plan and supporting the Services developing strategies. The post holder will work closely with the Operational and Clinical teams to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of the services.
The postholder will provide effective service management and day to day operationalsupport.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational Management
To assist the Operational team, in the delivery of capacity and capacity plans that provide sufficient capacity to meet anticipated demand and ensure activity and performance targets are met (including 18 weeks RTT, Non-RTT, Priority code compliance, Diagnostic Management). This will include management of PTLs (both 18 week and Diagnostic Management) and Cancer tracking information. To support the ongoing management of efficiency, through effective productivity, utilisation (including clinics and diagnostics), staffing, scheduling (including monitoring of short notice cancellations), etc. To participate in Root Cause Analysis exercises where performance is not as required, e.g. breaches of 18 week RTT and cancer waiting time targets.
Service Development
To act as a change agent and role model to challenge motivate and overcome barriers to improve the effectiveness of the departments.
To design, implement and project manage specific service improvements to enable a more efficient and sustainable service and to support patients being treated within waiting time targets or standards.
Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the delivery of services through implementation and utilisation of benchmarking, shared best practice, audit and continuous service development techniques.
Support the production of business cases for specific service developments.
To implement policies and propose changes to practices and procedures for own area/department.
Information and data Management
To utilise quantitative and qualitative information to develop metrics against which the performance of the services can be measured.
Translate data and manipulate information into a useable and presentable format, drawing conclusions from outputs and presenting to clinical staff as well as service and operational manager.
To liaise with other Managers across the Trust to access other systems/information.
Financial Responsibilities
Working with the operation team, ensuring the services are financially compliant i.e. reducing reliance on Waiting List Initiatives and additional hour payments.
To assist with the control of expenditure, ensuring it remains within budget for all clinical/non-clinical areas of responsibility. Ensuring awareness of financial position and Standing Financial Instructions.
Communication
To lead, manage, motivate and develop staff so as to maintain the highest level of morale and to create a climate characterised by high standards and openness.
To ensure that effective communication arrangements exist at all levels and across organisational boundaries
Influence, motivate and involve individuals and teams within the service to achieve necessary performance targets
Handle confidential patient information and material in a sensitive and discrete fashion, in compliance with Trust policy and procedure
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in providing and receiving highly complex information to staff, patients, and families requiring leadership, negotiation, persuasion, motivation and counselling skills.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational Management
To assist the Operational team, in the delivery of capacity and capacity plans that provide sufficient capacity to meet anticipated demand and ensure activity and performance targets are met (including 18 weeks RTT, Non-RTT, Priority code compliance, Diagnostic Management). This will include management of PTLs (both 18 week and Diagnostic Management) and Cancer tracking information. To support the ongoing management of efficiency, through effective productivity, utilisation (including clinics and diagnostics), staffing, scheduling (including monitoring of short notice cancellations), etc. To participate in Root Cause Analysis exercises where performance is not as required, e.g. breaches of 18 week RTT and cancer waiting time targets.
Service Development
To act as a change agent and role model to challenge motivate and overcome barriers to improve the effectiveness of the departments.
To design, implement and project manage specific service improvements to enable a more efficient and sustainable service and to support patients being treated within waiting time targets or standards.
Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of the delivery of services through implementation and utilisation of benchmarking, shared best practice, audit and continuous service development techniques.
Support the production of business cases for specific service developments.
To implement policies and propose changes to practices and procedures for own area/department.
Information and data Management
To utilise quantitative and qualitative information to develop metrics against which the performance of the services can be measured.
Translate data and manipulate information into a useable and presentable format, drawing conclusions from outputs and presenting to clinical staff as well as service and operational manager.
To liaise with other Managers across the Trust to access other systems/information.
Financial Responsibilities
Working with the operation team, ensuring the services are financially compliant i.e. reducing reliance on Waiting List Initiatives and additional hour payments.
To assist with the control of expenditure, ensuring it remains within budget for all clinical/non-clinical areas of responsibility. Ensuring awareness of financial position and Standing Financial Instructions.
Communication
To lead, manage, motivate and develop staff so as to maintain the highest level of morale and to create a climate characterised by high standards and openness.
To ensure that effective communication arrangements exist at all levels and across organisational boundaries
Influence, motivate and involve individuals and teams within the service to achieve necessary performance targets
Handle confidential patient information and material in a sensitive and discrete fashion, in compliance with Trust policy and procedure
Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team in providing and receiving highly complex information to staff, patients, and families requiring leadership, negotiation, persuasion, motivation and counselling skills.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Educated to HNC/Equivalent Diploma/equivalent experience
- ECDL or equivalent
- Minimum of 5 GCSE's or equivalent experience
- Change management experience
- Ability to develop and deliver action plans to deliver the NHS and or local agendas
- Knowledge of financial processes
Experience
Essential
- Previous NHS experience
- Contribution to operational objectives
- Referral To Treat and Cancer Wait Times knowledge
- Working knowledge of office computer applications
- Proven administration experience at a senior level
- Previous experience of managing a department or group of staff
- Proven track record of engagement and influence to deliver targets
Desirable
- Knowledge/experience of Trust systems
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Ability to prioritise own workload
- Ability to adapt to fluctuating deadlines and workloads
- Ability to work in a structured methodical manner
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexible approach
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Undertake light physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking.
- Standard keyboard skills.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Communication
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with all staff groups
- Ability to influence and engage others effectively
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Educated to HNC/Equivalent Diploma/equivalent experience
- ECDL or equivalent
- Minimum of 5 GCSE's or equivalent experience
- Change management experience
- Ability to develop and deliver action plans to deliver the NHS and or local agendas
- Knowledge of financial processes
Experience
Essential
- Previous NHS experience
- Contribution to operational objectives
- Referral To Treat and Cancer Wait Times knowledge
- Working knowledge of office computer applications
- Proven administration experience at a senior level
- Previous experience of managing a department or group of staff
- Proven track record of engagement and influence to deliver targets
Desirable
- Knowledge/experience of Trust systems
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Ability to prioritise own workload
- Ability to adapt to fluctuating deadlines and workloads
- Ability to work in a structured methodical manner
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexible approach
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Undertake light physical effort such as sitting, standing and walking.
- Standard keyboard skills.
Personal and people development
Essential
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Communication
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with all staff groups
- Ability to influence and engage others effectively
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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.
