Service Manager Pathology Services

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South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don't need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare.

The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Probationary Period

All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual - we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.

Agile and Flexible Working

All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.

The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.

Staff Benefits

The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available.

Car Parking

The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site which has allowed us to reduce waiting times for car parking passes.

To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and enthusiastic leader to join the Support Services Division as Service Manager for Pathology Services.

The role will support the Clinical Operational Manager in the day to day operational management of the pathology service that is provided by Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS). The Service Manager will deputise for the Clinical Operational Manager in their absence.

You will need to have experience of working with clinical and operational teams within the NHS, possess strong leadership skills, and have a proven track record of delivering results.

As well as having the relevant experience you must be resilient, with a strong work ethic and the ability to build effective working relationships with multidisciplinary clinical colleagues.

The post will provide an opportunity to build and develop the skills required to advance to a more senior role.

For further details please contact Michelle Bell Clinical Operational Manager for Pathology Services. michelle.bell@swft.nhs.uk Mobile: 07787263037.

Interviews will be held on 7th or 8th January 2025

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the Clinical Operational Manager for Pathology Services in the operational management of the pathology service that is provided by Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services (CWPS).

To ensure that effective communication takes place between the Trust and CWPS.

To ensure a safe efficient service is provided to SWFT patients by CWPS in all areas of Pathology.

Support the governance arrangements within the services/ directorate including audit, complaints, incident, risk and health and safety.

To be responsible to the Clinical Operational Manager for financial performance relating to delegated budgets an operational performance of the services/ directorate

Effectively plan and implement operational activities for the service

Deputise for the Clinical Operational Manager as required

Working for our organisation

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To manage administrative support teams within the service ensuring there is continual monitoring of the administrative processes.

Ensure appraisal and mandatory training requirements are provided for all staff within areas of responsibility.

To monitor performance of allocated specialities ensuring that the Trust and Monitor Standards are understood and achieved. Producing performance reports for all specialities as required.

To participate in the review of existing pathways and processes across all specialities as required and implement changes to improve turnaround, access, to ensure divisional / Trust targets are met.

To ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained within budget on wards and department

Support the governance and health and safety arrangements within the division including audit, complaints, incidents, risk and health and safety.

To be responsible to the General Managers for financial performance relating to delegated budgets and operational performance of the division.

Represent the Clinical Operational Manager as required.

Ensuring that the service is delivered within the agreed budget, escalating issues as necessary and taking remedial action

Operating effectively in a flexible and demanding environment and proactively engaging with key stakeholders

Key Working Relationships

Division management team, including General Manager, Associate Medical Director and Matrons

Associate Chief Operating Office for Support Services Division

Clinical Service Leads for Division and the service multi-professional teams and ward managers

Risk and Complaints Managers

Medical Secretaries, ward clerks and other administrative support teams, within the service/Division

Patient Access Team

Admissions Team, Outpatient Appointment Centre

Information Department

Divisional Human Resources Manager, Medical Staffing managers and divisional recruitment team

Divisional Finance Analyst, Divisional Accountant and department staff

Clinical Coding Department

Values

The post-holder is expected to promote South Warwickshire NHS Trust's vision: To provide high quality, clinically and cost effective local healthcare services that meet the needs of our patients and the population that we serve

The post-holder is expected to work in a way that observes the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers as well as following the Trust's world class care standards of behaviour.

Performance Management

Support the infrastructure which measures performance within the services

Ensure data validation is completed to achieve required national and local RTT targets and milestones.

Work across the division to ensure that the standards are consistently met for all patients.

Support the investigation of patient complaints, analysing the issues and identifying any faults in procedures, processes or the treatment of patients and making appropriate recommendations to the Clinical Operational Manager for Pathology Services and others to avoid future occurrences.

Work with the General Managers and Clinical Operational Manager for Pathology Services to monitor activity levels including outpatients, diagnostics and inpatients across allocated specialities. Develop improvement plans to achieve performance against targets and other imperatives impacting on the Trust.

Ensure that all activity is accurately documented ensuring income is maximised and outpatient treatment status recorded for RTT measurement.

Participate in monitoring and maintaining compliance with relevant CQC standards.

Undertake development of change, within specialist areas, if required

Communication

Personally build good working relationships within both SWFT, the Pathology Network including clinicians, scientists, Finance & Information teams and managers, to interpret and present a range of highly complex and potentially sensitive issues in a tactful and diplomatic manner

Communicate clearly and effectively with staff to ensure they are kept up to date with divisional business plans and operational requirements.

Provides highly complex information regarding performance in a motivational manner which encourages collaborative working in order to deliver against targets.

Staff management

To manage designated groups of staff within the specialities as required.

Manage timely and effective recruitment and retention of staff in conjunction with the Human Resources department as required

Ensure appraisals are carried out for all staff and targets are achieved

Work with the General Managers to manage absence across the specialties

Participate in the management of leave requests affecting direct clinical care sessions

Ensure optimal use of staffing resources and review workforce requirements as required

Ensure staff are aware of and implement Trust policies and procedures and establish and implement local guidelines, policies and procedures as appropriate

Ensure that the Trust's policies on conduct and performance are adhered to and communicated effectively to all staff

Ensure that all staff are working to maintain a healthy and safe working environment

Participate in disciplinary investigations within the service

Support medical staff colleagues on recruitment of temporary and permanent medical staff

Operational Management

To be responsible for the day to day management of delegated areas of responsibilities

To consider reports from the information team, ensuring problems are identified and action taken to improve performance.

To manage the daily flow of patients through specialities ensuring local/ national targets are achieved e.g. inpatient diagnostics within 24hrs.

Support the planning an implementation of projects relating to Pathology Services

Financial Budgetary Management

To manage delegated budgets effectively and within the resource constraints agreed during budget setting.

Support the use of service line reporting to support and inform financial management

Support the service teams to ensure that sustainable and recurrent CIP plans are in place and delivered

Support the Clinical Operational Manager to ensure that SLA's and Contracts provided to external organisations deliver the required contribution to the Division

Identify cost saving opportunities and develop associated plans, working with key stakeholders as appropriate

Quality/Governance corporate and clinical, patient feedback

Participate in monitoring and maintaining compliance with relevant CQC standards.

Contribute to the achievement of CQUINs relevant to the division.

Support the divisional risk and governance team to investigate, plan and implement response to incidences and complaints

Advise on changes to Procedures following patient complaints, which may impact on other areas

Promote the corporate and clinical governance frameworks within the division.

Support the Clinical Operational Manager for Pathology Services to follow up and investigate if service delivery is not meeting expectations

Ensure that the service and processes that Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Services provide are responsive to the needs of those who use them

Investigate and take appropriate action relating to untoward incidents, accidents and complaints in accordance with Trust policy

Co-ordinate education and training to clinical staff to support the development and effective ongoing use of new equipment and services

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Relevant 1st degree or equivalent
• Evidence of continuing personal development
• Post graduate qualification or equivalent in relevant area

Experience

Essential criteria

• Staff management and leading a team

Desirable criteria

• Budget management - including monitoring, expenditure and identifying savings
• Experience of developing business cases
• Operational management experience

Skills

Essential criteria

• Understanding of national NHS policy and targets
• Good interpersonal, oral and written skills including chairing meetings and report writing.
• Numerate with excellent analytical skills/ability
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Advanced IT skills with Microsoft office
• Ability to negotiate with and influence staff at all levels
• Ability to manage time/priorities

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Well organised and practical approach to work
• Pays attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment
• Flexible
• Able to work autonomously
• Positive and motivated

Other

Essential criteria

• Able to work across various Trust locations

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Sometimes we get a lot of applications for our roles. On those occasions we might close the job early. If you don't want to miss out we recommend submitting your application as early as possible.

The Trust use an Applicant Management System called TRAC which helps us manage the recruitment process. All communications regarding your application will come via TRAC (even if you applied via NHS Jobs).

Please check your TRAC account regularly and ensure your email is set up to accept messages so they don't go into your junk/spam folder.

We aim to shortlist all vacancies within 2 days of the vacancy closing, we will get back to all candidates ASAP.

Please ensure all sections of the application form are completed fully. Please particularly ensure that you provide full details of all referees including business email address, telephone contact details and postal address.

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Equality and Diversity and does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the grounds of any protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

All South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust sites are smoke free. We feel it's a great way to help our patients, visitors and staff stay healthy.

The Trust is part of a 'Foundation Group' through a strategic alliance with Wye Valley NHS Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This partnership is great for the sustainability of all four organisations and allows us to share learning and maximise opportunities to ensure the delivery of high quality health and care services for our local populations.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 375.0KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 652.8KB)
• Occupational Health Functional Requirements Form (PDF, 207.6KB)