Patient Experience Advice and Liaison Officer

At Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust we believe patient wellbeing and experience, alongside clinical quality, should be at the heart of everything we do. Patient experience starts with the patient, listening and designing the experience to meet the needs of our patients and their families. Are you passionate about ensuring our patients, their relatives and friends have outstanding experience of our care?
This position will not be supported for visa sponsorship. All applicants are expected to have valid right to work document to work in the UK when applying for this position., To provide a high level of customer service to patients, relatives and visitors who may need information or advice about Trust Services. To support and signpost people with concerns or queries to ensure timely resolution of issues. This will include the provision of in-reach services to engage with patients and their carers or relatives within our wards and departments. The post holder will also work in partnership with staff from the Claims, Complaints, Risk and Audit Departments and work as a member of a team and develop professional relationships with all staff and others with whom you come into contact with during the course of your work.
The post holder will also provide support to the Patient Experience lead in the distribution, collection and collation of any patient experience based surveys (including Friends & Family) on a daily basis from all ward/departmental areas which are eligible, ensuring that these are timely and effective in their purpose. They will also have the ability to enter, collate and extract data to provide meaningful reports for both the PALS and Patient Experience departments.

Working for our organisation
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Patient Advice & Liaison Service
Work within the Patient Advice and Liaison Service and Complaints service, ensuring an accessible, confidential, patient focussed service that deals with problems and concerns quickly as and in accordance with national requirements and local policy using the Datix reporting System.
Adhere to key performance indicators (KPI's), whilst dealing with emotional and sensitive situations
Deal with enquiries/concerns raised in person, by telephone, email or letter, responding in a professional and empathetic manner
Agree a plan for managing an enquiry/concern with the enquirer/complainant independently
Understand when to seek guidance from the PALS Lead, Complaints & Claims Manager or other senior staff
Understand the importance of protecting patient confidentiality at all times and understand how to work within the limitations that this can pose
Provide information and advice to patients and carers on the NHS complaints procedure and, subject to their choice, assist and support service users in making a complaint or refer them to appropriate independent advocacy services
Provide verbal/written information to enquirers
Recognise when to refer enquiries to clinical staff (this is a non-clinical post and the post holder is therefore not permitted to give clinical information, e.g. test results)
Ensure that people are treated courteously and professionally and that queries are dealt with efficiently and effectively when members of the public seek information, help, advice and assistance with enquiries and concerns relating to Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust
Communicate sometimes sensitive and distressing information in an appropriate manner in person and by telephone/email
Process complex, sensitive or contentious information
Use own judgment based on information available and to seek advice when unsure of appropriate response, from the PALS Lead or an appropriate manager

Our staff are our most valuable asset. We are committed to making staff feel appreciated, supported and included in the Trust's successes. Our mission is to be an outstanding place to work providing the very best care for our patients and excellent career opportunities for our staff. Everything we do is guided by our core values and behaviours, identified by our staff and embedded throughout the organisation.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement
We have the highest CQC rating of all Acute NHS Trusts in Kent and Medway (Good). The CQC highlighted that managers promoted a positive culture that supported, valued staff and created a sense of common purpose based upon shared values.
The Trust is a great place to work, stay, develop a career and enjoy a healthy work life balance. We have made and are delivering on a wide range of commitments to staff; health and wellbeing; equality; diversity and inclusion; access to education and career development. During 2020 we sett up quality councils, driven by our staff to create a culture of shared governance and quality improvement.
We have a strong focus on innovation and improvement. Part of Guy's and St Thomas' (GSTT) 'Healthcare Alliance' we are introducing new models of care to improve clinical outcomes for patients. Our association with GSTT also gives staff wishing to develop their skills excellent opportunities to work across numerous specialities.
As our local population increases, our services and skills are expanding and adapting to meet demand. We are continuously looking at best practice models to enhance and improve the services we offer.
The Trust provides services at Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, for a local population of over 500,000 people.
If you would like to be part of our innovative and forward thinking team putting patients at the centre of all we do, we invite you to #joinourfamily.
The NHS are striving towards "we work flexibly" as a workforce, we want to ensure that you can work in a way that is best for us, our patients, and importantly for you. We offer many flexible working opportunities, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement for you and if it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note this vacancy may close earlier than stated to aid efficient processing of applications. To ensure your application will be considered please submit it at your earliest convenience. If you have not heard from us within 21 days of the closing date please assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
Please note, that due to the limited number of car parking spaces, car parking permits will be allocated subject to compliance with the Trusts eligibility criteria and availability of spaces. Permit holders are not guaranteed a car parking space.
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust is a smoke free organisation. To improve public health smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere on the hospital site.