JOB DESCRIPTION. Specialist Hospitals, Women & Child Health Directorate. Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION Title of Post: Patient Flow Coordinator Grade/ Band: Band 7 Directorate: Reports to: Accountable to: Location: Hours: Specialist Hospitals, Women & Child Health Directorate Assistant Service Manager, RBHSC Service Manager, RBHSC Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children 37.5 hours per week JOB SUMMARY: The post holder will be part of a team which facilitates the flow of patients through the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and will fulfil the role of senior nurse on site which may include out side of normal working hours including weekends and holidays. In conjunction with all members of the multidisciplinary team the post holder will be required to assist in the management of patients admitted to the RBHSC site and facilitate where appropriate the safe transfer of acute patients between hospitals within the Trust and to facilities outside of the Trust. The post holder will support the ward sisters in planning the effective management of staff and physical resources to ensure efficient utilisation of beds within the Hospital which will require the ability to balance the demand for an acceptable level of clinical activity with a fluctuating emergency admission rate.

2 The post holders role will include the coordination and redeployment of staff to achieve appropriate skill mix. As part of the team, they will also be required to provide staff management, supervision, support and teaching when necessary as well as act as a member of the cardiac arrest team and an initial responder for the major incident team. KEY RESULTS AREA Setting Direction 1. To contribute to the development of the Trust s strategic review regarding utilisation of beds and management of patient flow. 2. To contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans within RBHSC to ensure that agreed objectives are implemented and quality of standards maintained. 3. To contribute to the ongoing systematic review of admission and discharge policies in relation to care pathways to ensure the optimum use of clinical resources. Service Delivery 4. Instigate and co-ordinate the actions required to ensure timely admission and discharge to prevent patients being delayed. 5. To operationally oversee and take the necessary actions in the day to day management of admissions to meet access targets. 6. In conjunction with the multidisciplinary team pro-actively identify patients for transfer or discharge according to Trust protocol to ensure maximum utilisation of beds. 7. To coordinate on a day-to-day basis the admission of all scheduled and unscheduled patients to ensure all patients are admitted to the most appropriate clinical area for their clinical needs 8. In partnership with the ward managers plan the use of physical resources to ensure effective patient flow in order to facilitate timely admissions and discharges. 12. Liaise with diagnostic departments to facilitate rapid access to investigations, particularly where results will prevent hospital admission or enable timely/early discharge. This will require negotiation skills and using influence. 13. Challenge as appropriate decisions to admit patients whom a safe and

3 effective fit for purpose alternative can be provided. Collaborative Working 14. To work with other Trusts, agencies and within the Belfast Trust to ensure patients where appropriate are repatriated to the correct place. This will include working with contracted Trust transport services when there are transport difficulties including working with the statutory, voluntary and private sectors 15. To undertake audit to benchmark and evidence progress in practice appropriate to the role 16. To work in partnership with ward managers to ensure that discharge planning is commenced on admission including Estimated Date of Discharge and that the focus of the patient journey is on discharge 17. To support ward managers and Discharge Co-ordinators to operationalise the simple and complex escalation requirements to prevent discharge breaches 18. To be involved in liaising with other Trusts and agencies to assist in the deflection of admissions from the acute sector to more suitable care arrangements 19. To work collaboratively with community services including where appropriate community in-reach to identify patients who can safely continue treatment and care outside of acute hospital setting and support ward staff to facilitate this way of working 20. Develop and strengthen links with Community Services which includes Nursing, Primary Care and Community Groups and other agencies as appropriate. Communication and Information 21. Establish and maintain effective communication networks within service groups, wards and departments in the Trust 22. Engage in communication with colleagues across other Paediatric units to resolve situations causing service pressure 23. To maintain accurate and concise records that provides the necessary data for the purpose of evaluating and developing the service. 24. To provide reports which will inform the Trust Senior Management Team regarding patient activity and bed utilisation. 25. To participate in the investigation and reporting of breaches as required to

4 senior managers. 26. To participate in the investigation and reporting of Serious Adverse Incidents relating to Unscheduled Care breaches of standards 27. To maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. 28. To establish and maintain effective communication networks throughout the hospital and develop links with the paediatric community services. 29. To communicate with senior managers and clinicians regarding bed availability and associated pressures and maintain a live bed state. 30. To assist with the co-ordination of very complex discharge interfaces. This involves working with the discharge coordinator and multi-professional agencies. 31. On a day to day basis communicate with Infection Control Teams as required to ensure the safe and effective utilisation of bed. Development and Innovation 32. To identify areas of practice where patient throughput can be improved and proactively take forward any changes identified being aware of and overcoming barriers to change. 33. To participate in service improvement projects in relation to the efficient and effective utilisation of inpatient beds and the inpatient journey. 34. Educate and empower ward based staff to expedite all discharges within the operational standard timeframes Professional and People Management 35. Respond to enquiries whilst maintaining patient confidentiality. 36. To fulfil the role of senior nurse/bleep holder on site when necessary. 37. Ensuring the safety of patients monies and valuables that are surrendered to the Trust for safe keeping as appropriate. 38. Consider workload and staffing levels and where required allocate and reallocation of resources between wards in order to meet demand and to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources at all times. 39. Undertake any necessary decisions in absence of senior management and communicate / account for actions as soon as possible thereafter. 40. Support staff in reporting potential and actual incidents and take action to

5 ensure appropriate corrective measures are put in place. 41. Respond to major incidents at site level in accordance with the major incident plan and senior nurse action card 42. Act as designated fire officer for each span of duty. 43. Provide professional and managerial advice to all staff as required 44. Ensure a safe working environment for staff in accordance with health and safety order conducting risk assessments as required 45. Take steps to resolve conflict situations amongst staff, patient and visitors and report to relevant personnel at the earliest opportunity 46. Manage and refer media enquiries onwards as per Trust s media policy. General Responsibilities 47. Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible an 48. At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. 49. Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them. 50. Comply with the Trust s Smoke Free Policy. 51. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations. 52. Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment. 53. Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision. 54. Maintain high standards of personal accountability. 55. Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct. Records Management Used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including s. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004 and Data Protection Act

6 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policy and procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt. Environmental Cleaning Strategy The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that Cleanliness matters is everyone s responsibility, not just the cleaners. Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public. Infection Prevention and Control The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This includes: 1. Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO 5 moments ); 2. Using the correct 7 step hand hygiene technique; 3. Being bare below the elbows when in a clinical environment; 4. Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet); 5. Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); 6. Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry; 7. Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised; 8. Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions On occasions a specific location may be detailed within the Job Description & Specification, however, as and when considered necessary or appropriate, you may be required to transfer to or undertake other duties in any location specified by the Trust in order to meet fluctuations or priorities in work demands. Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

7 PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE: Patient Flow Coordinator BAND: 7 LOCATION: Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast Trust Essential Criteria: Applicants must: Be a registered nurse on part 1 (child) of the NMC register Have a minimum of 4 years post registration experience including 3 years at Band 6 or equivalent in an acute paediatric setting OR have at least 5 years experience,, working at Band 5 (or equivalent) Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of: Working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders including clinicians and other health and social care professionals to achieve successful outcomes. Complex decision making in times of competing demands Making sound clinical judgements which affect treatment and care of patients. Effective influencing and communications skills. A sound knowledge of the Health and Social Care modernisation agenda as it relates to the acute hospital environment

8 NOTE: Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates, and one photocopy of same, issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative. If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, payslip, National Insurance Card or a birth certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non appointment.

9