Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

• To ensure the efficiency and performance of the Division in relation to the management of contractual and performance targets, including the delivery of key operational performance targets.
• To ensure the Directorate is managed effectively through active involvement of clinical staff on a day to day basis
• To ensure that the patient experience is paramount to the way in which services are delivered and to foster a culture in which all patients are treated with dignity and respect. In addition, to ensure that the services are modern and responsive to the needs of individual patients
• To ensure the Directorate policies, procedures and standards are developed and implemented which facilitate the best possible care for patients within available resources
• To ensure that quality standards for the Directorate are implemented, taking responsibility for monitoring performance, quality assurance and implementation of audit procedures and complaints procedures
• To work with the clinical lead to ensure the implementation of Trust policies across the Directorate and to ensure that staff are aware of their responsibilities and have appropriate training. This includes health and safety, risk management and assurance framework compliance
• To develop and implement the Health Commission Standards for Better Health which facilitate the best possible care for patients within available resources
• To ensure effective channels of communication exist and are maintained within and across the Directorates and ensure that there are effective working relationships and links with relevant colleagues in other organisations
• To manage specific projects as agreed with the Divisional Director of Performance; ensuring that the decision-making processes related to funding provision are transparent and demonstrate financial probit

Responsibility for Finance

• To effectively manage devolved budget, ensuring action is taken to ensure service delivery within budget baseline and participate in the budget setting process
• To be responsible and accountable for the management of budgets (pay and non pay) relating to all areas of the Directorate and achieve financial balance, reporting as required to the Divisional Director of Performanc
• To order and authorise goods in accordance with the Trust’s financial framework / Standing Financial Instruction
• Support the Division in obtaining the resources to fund development
• Lead the identification and delivery of cost improvements, service developments and income generation opportunities within the Division
• In conjunction with the Divisional Accountant, provide the Divisional Director of Performance with a monthly report on financial performance
• Ensure that best value and use of resources is maintained at all times
• Support the Divisional Director of Performance to Identify, implement, manage and monitor year on year cost improvement programmes across the Division

Responsibility for Information Resources

• To ensure that effective lines of communication are established within the post holder’s areas of responsibility
• Liaise with medical colleagues to maximise the effective running of the Directorate
• Ensure effective communication at all levels, representing the Trust when appropriate; liaising with health and welfare authorities, maintenance firms, drug companies and internally with staff of all levels to ensure the department is an efficient and effective service
• To effectively and sensitively communicate highly complex and/or contentious information to the multidisciplinary team, gaining their cooperation
• Utilising data on the Trust’s IT systems generate reports to inform and influence practice and service deliver

Responsibility for Human Resources

• To ensure the Directorate team demonstrates an open door policy and that open and inclusive working relationships are developed with front line staff being fully involved in Directorate decision making
• To provide a supportive and developmental environment in which staff are motivated to realise their full potential as identified through Performance Development Review and the implementation of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF)
• To lead and develop the management team within the Directorate to ensure that all aspects of service delivery are achieve
• To ensure that Human Resource objectives and workforce development plans form an integral part of the departmental annual business plan and objectives, including meeting targets for sickness absence, turnover and agency staff usage at or lower than the Trust targets
• To ensure that the capability, conduct and performance of every member of staff are constantly assessed and appropriate action taken to address shortfalls and to ensure that sickness absence is managed and appropriate action taken
• To ensure that the philosophy and best practice for “Improving Working Lives” are adopted, openly discussed and implemente

Responsibility for Clinical Governance

• To minimize hazards in the working area and ensure that staff under his/her direction adhere to all safe systems of work applicable to the area of work
• To undertake appropriate risk assessments and implement risk reducing measures
• To ensure that there are appropriate arrangements for reviewing significant risks and highlight risks that cannot be addressed at a local level to the appropriate Senior Manage
• To ensure that staff are competent to perform risk assessments relevant to their role and be fully aware of the legal requirements for general and specific risk assessments
• To ensure staff under his/her direction are up to date with Trust polices, procedures and statutory training
• To ensure appropriate actions are taken to minimise risks
• Maintain the Directorate risk register, participating in the Divisional risk management agenda
• To be aware of the Trust critical / serious incident reporting processes, ensuring that robust mechanisms are in place within the Directorate for compliance
• To ensure the delivery of the Trust’s clinical governance agenda, participating in assessment and action planning
• To ensure governance structures are in place in line with and in support of Divisional Governance structure
• Promote a culture that continually reviews performance using critical incident and complaints as tools for continuous improvemen
• To ensure data relating to activity is accurate, complete and informs service planning
• To investigate complaints, ensuring the patients receive a written response within 20 days and that action arising out of the investigation is completed.

 Responsibility for Research

• To participate in research and clinical audit
• Ensure and support staff with the application of evidence based practice.