Head of Patient Flow

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Hospital Leadership Team at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) Brighton, in the new role of Head of Patient Flow.
The successful applicant will report into the Hospital Directors and will work as part of the leadership Team and is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of patient flow at RSCH, ensuring our patients receive safe, high quality and coordinated care. The post holder will provide strategic and operational management of the Brighton campus, ensuring the coordination of patient services to the hospital 24/7 and working with Integrated Care System partners to ensure safe and timely patient discharge. The post-holder will promote evidence based visible, compassionate leadership acting as a role model for best practice.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will develop and implement collaborative ways of working in managing patient flow from admission to discharge in a safe, efficient, and coordinated manner across all areas. They will ensure that there is comprehensive site service provision and will be responsible for the first line coordination of all Major and Critical incidents.
As part of this role the post holder will be required to participate in the On Call Manager rota., The post holder will work closely with the teams to support planning and delivery of exemplary services, ensuring robust governance, processes and procedures are always followed. They will also be responsible for maintaining an overview of the standards of care being delivered across the teams, instigating remedial action to improve practice as necessary.
Communication
· Demonstrate highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams across the Trust.
· Act as a role model by demonstrating excellent communication and listening skills with patients, relatives and staff supporting the Trust's values and behaviours.
· To be a highly visible, accessible and approachable leader and an initial point of escalation to staff, patients, and the public ensuring that open channels of communication are created and sustained.
· Ensure that the hospital leadership and divisional teams are appropriately briefed and appraised on operational, quality and safety standards associated with risks and mitigation plans for the site.
· Ensure that confidentiality for patients and staff is maintained in all areas and that staff adhere to the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act and the Caldicott Principles.
· Ensure two-way communication systems are in place within the nursing structure and with other disciplines specifically across the Trust but also with the wider ICS. Ensure that staff feel well informed and listened to.
· Ensure that there are high standards of documentation and care planning in all areas of practice and that documentation standards are consistent across all areas.
· Develop and embed a process of regular reviews of all documentation ensuring focused action plans are produced when areas of concern are identified.
· Ensure that there is a comprehensive orientation and induction programme for staff in each of the clinical areas and that this is documented.
· Ensure that there are systems in place to obtain comments and feedback from patients/carers/relatives which are then used to inform future practice.
· Represent the trust externally, being professional at all times, Attending, daily escalation meeting for medically ready for discharge patients and weekly OPEX.
Service Delivery and Improvement
· Ensure that the Trust delivers high standards of patient care using evidence-based practice and research.
· Support the Clinical Site and Discharge Co-ordinators to assess, monitor and evaluate care provided through the use of standards and audits. Ensure that remedial action is taken where deficits are identified.
· Support staff in identifying, applying and disseminating research findings related to specialist and fundamental nursing practice.
· Identify and resolve any areas of waste or inefficient use of Trust resources.
· Work in partnership with the Infection Control Team to ensure best practice in infection control and decontamination and that there are effective systems and processes in place for the prevention and control of infection in each area.
· Contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust through membership of corporate meetings, taking the lead as directed.
· Contribute effectively to service developments both within specialties and at strategic level ensuring that current and planned services are properly co-ordinated.
· To participate in the senior management on-call rota
Full details of the role can be found in the attached Job description.
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.