Head of Elective Access 

Location: Lincoln (Hybrid 2 days from home)

Job Type: Temporary 

Duration of booking: Expected to last 3-6 months with possible extension

Proposed start date: ASAP

Pay Rates: Up to £50 per hour Umbrella or £43 per hour PAYE inclusive of holiday pay

Hours / Working Days: 37.5 hours per week / Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm 

Sector: Healthcare 

Based: Office / Hospital 

Specific duties

• Contribute to the delivery of the national targets and recommendations, reporting achievements and key risk factors, and developing recommendations to address areas of non-compliance, informing the Trust Board, Executive Team and other relevant key stakeholders.
• Develop robust, proactive monitoring systems to ensure all patients receive their initial appointment, diagnostic assessment and required treatment within the parameters of the national waiting times targets including developing robust reporting mechanisms and PTL management.
• Lead the monitoring of the PTL to ensure that all Divisional Operational Managers have sufficient resources planned and are in place to deliver the 18-week RTT standard and diagnostic standards. 
• On behalf of the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, lead performance reviews to ensure delivery of these access targets and feed into the Trust’s accountability framework.
• Report performance at every required level, both internally and externally in conjunction with the Information Team.
• Ensure there are clear roles and responsibilities for all staff involved in tracking and reporting systems, with clear lines of accountability, and that these are regularly reviewed.
• Ensure systems are rigorously quality assured and tested.
• Working with colleagues across the ICS, ensure the Access Policy is up to date and implemented across all divisions.
• Ensure escalation systems are developed, implemented, and regularly reviewed. 
• In conjunction with Clinical Business Units develop timed clinical pathways to assist with monitoring, escalation and service improvement across all specialities. 
• Support Divisions to develop annual business plans that incorporate requirements to deliver operational and financial performance standards (Production Plan).
• Identify and create innovative and sustainable methods of service delivery that support the achievement of Trust access standards, reviewing best practice standards. 
• To liaise with commissioners and NHS England/Improvement (or equivalent) on performance standards.
• Provide managerial support for the implementation of medium/long term service improvements, including tracking milestones against agreed action plans and ensuring Trust input into new guidance and action plans as published.
• Work with the Divisional Managing Directors, Operational Managers, clinicians and corporate teams to support medium/long term service improvement and QIPP/CIPP plans impacting on performance through coordination of highly complex highly sensitive project plans and agreed initiatives, ensuring these become embedded in working practices. 
• Share learning on achievement of national targets Trust wide to support the delivery of new NHS waiting list targets.
• Ensure mechanisms are established and monitored in conjunction with Trust colleagues to collate data for monitoring clinical and managerial procedural outcomes in accordance with national data reporting requirements.
• Ensure local policies / procedures are in line with national guidance.
• To support the Divisional Management Teams in ensuring the achievement of the objectives within the Divisions’s performance framework. 
• Assist in the coordination of medium/long term operational plans ensuring these contribute to the achievement of the Trust and system wide plans.
• Provide reports to Divisional and Clinical Business Unit teams using qualitative and quantitative data and present analysis in concise and understandable form to engage action.
• Work together with the Divisional Senior Management Teams to develop plans to deliver cost improvement programmes.
• When required deputise for the Deputy Chief Operating Officer or Divisional Managing Directors on issues relating to access and performance.
• Liaise with the Associate Director of Performance and Information Services to ensure all reporting for Cancer, 18 Weeks, Diagnostic, Elective Wait and Cancelled Ops meets national requirements.
• Liaise with Data Quality Manager to ensure all areas identified in training needs analysis are met.
• Lead on the design, development, and delivery of 18-week RTT Training for the Trust.
• Provide operational oversight of patients transferred to other providers including private and NHS patients, including contract monitoring, policy design and reporting.
• Carry out validation for end of month reporting and weekly reporting.
• Develop Recovery Action Plan’s and trajectories in conjunction with Divisional Managing Directors. 
• Work with contracts and Commissioning teams regarding new services and performance for Elective programme.
• Represent the Trust at system and national level where required.
• Be accountable for the effective use of resources and develop action plans to manage any adverse variances.
• Optimise the management of Human Resources within agreed budgets.
• Work together with the Divisional Finance Managers and Divisional Management teams to develop plans to deliver Cost Improvement Programmes including outpatient transformation.
• Provide leadership and effective management to individuals and teams within sphere of responsibility - cancer services, outpatient lead and validation team. 
• Apply Trust HR policies and practices for staff e.g., Equal Opportunities, recruitment/ selection, employee relations, individual performance reviews etc.
• Maintain and improve briefing and consultative communication systems so that they involve and support staff.
• Produce a training and development plan which will realise the capabilities and personal development of staff.

Experience and Skills

• Educated to Master’s degree or equivalent
• Relevant Post Graduate Qualification
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Management qualification or equivalent knowledge
• Extensive NHS Senior Management experience in an Acute hospital.
• Detailed understanding and experience of the operation of Acute hospital services knowledge of performance management.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of NHS access standards including RTT, cancer and diagnostics
• Evidence of driving and supporting change in clinical services in a complex organisation.
• Proven ability to manage resources effectively.
• Performance management and development of staff.
• Well-developed leadership and motivational skills.
• Capacity to operate and think laterally at strategic and operational level.
• Well-developed influencing and negotiation skills.
• Evidence of personal insight and sound judgement.
• Innovative and responsive to change.
• Capacity to work in multi-professional environments and maintain constructive working relationships at all levels and disciplines.
• Proven track record of collaborative working with Senior Clinicians and Senior Managers.
• Inspirational and highly motivated.
• Well organised and creative.
• Ability to achieve demanding tasks and objectives against deadlines.
• Integrity and a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.
• Courteous and respectful
• Kind and helpful
• Responsive communication
• Effective and professional