Job summary
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an exceptional clinician to join the Quality and Patient Safety Team for a 12-month fixed term contract as the Advocate for Patient Safety Investigations.
The successful person will be the named advocate for both HRCH and KHFT Trusts leading on patient, family and carer involvement and engagement for patient safety investigations, supporting with the development of the PSIRF and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across both acute and community Trusts with a focus on improving quality and patient experience during investigations, eliminating waste, reducing variation, and improving efficiency.
The post holder will provide dynamic, senior leadership, visibility, and expert support to the patient safety work in both organisations.
They will lead patient, family and carer advocacy throughout patient safety investigations and ensure that the voice of the patient is central to any reviews, including the day-to-day management of the interaction of the family in the investigation and close liaise with the Investigating Officer to ensure that families are treated appropriately, professionally and with respect for their needs.
Main duties of the job
The Advocate for Patient Safety Investigations (APSI) (previously family liaison officer) will support families through the difficult process of an investigation into a death, or serious incident which has occurred within a service provided by the Trust. This will include management of interaction with the family and close liaison with the Investigating Officer.
As a senior leader across both organisations, the post holder will contribute to the leadership of the patient safety agenda. This includes working closely with the Patient Safety Managers, Patient Safety Specialists, informatics colleagues, Datix team, complaints team, PALS team, communications colleagues, and colleagues in our directorates. The post holder will have responsibility for briefing Executive and Board members regarding feedback from families and loved ones, including delivering regular reports.
The post-holder will support all areas of the organisations with the overview and co-ordinating function for leading and developing the Trust approach to supporting families throughout patient safety incident investigations.
The post-holder will function as an expert professional leader within patient safety, effectively contributing to the Trust agenda.
The post-holder will lead and contribute to the local delivery of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework and Learning from Patient Safety Events, ensuring we meet system-wide and national requirements and expectations.
About us
Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust (HRCH) provide a wide range of healthcare services for the population of London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the London Borough of Hounslow.
The Clinical Services Directorates have a wide range of responsibilities to manage, including co-ordinating and delivering community primary care services on behalf of the Trust. A wide range of these healthcare services are delivered by staff in the community, who include medical staff, paediatric therapists, therapy assistants, health visitors, specialist nurses, nurses, nursery nurses, paediatric phlebotomists and healthcare support workers with the support of administrative staff working in localities with GPs, other health professionals, early years, education, and social care professionals.
The digitalisation of health services is underway with a requirement to become paper-light by 2023 through improving the use of digital tools and adopting mobile and agile working practices and increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical delivery.
Job description
Job responsibilities
*****Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role*****
Job description
Job responsibilities
*****Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role*****
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree or accepted equivalent level of knowledge and experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Degree in a clinical healthcare related profession. Registered Nursing and Midwifery Qualification eligible to practice
- Investigation qualification
- Leadership course
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a clinical setting in a clinical role
- Recent significant experience in the NHS
- Significant experience of providing. compassionate responses for complex populations and those vulnerable to exclusion
- Experience of, or awareness of specific factors relating to working in a culturally diversity
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of patient safety and learning and improvement from them
- Experienced in teaching and developing, as well as training
- Clear understanding of the bereavement process. Proven ability to work with independently manage their own caseload
- Experience of work with the general public within a public facing service such as health care, volunteer sector support, police
- Broad experience based on working at a senior level in quality governance / clinical governance / clinical management settings
- Sound knowledge and understanding of complex governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
- Fully conversant with the national safety agenda in healthcare
- Previous experience in managing Patient Safety, governance/ quality improvement development programmes within a multi-professional environment
- People management
- Evidence of managing change with evidence of an inclusive style of leadership skill sets
- Development of effective partnership with external agencies and stakeholders in support of local strategy delivery
- Experience working with external regulatory bodies to deliver statutory requirements for registration
- Ability to write and present Board level papers, including experience of developing a business case. Good understanding of current and developing NHS policy
Desirable
- Experience within the multi- agency/care setting
Skills
Essential
- Advanced decision-making skills
- Excellent communication skills with a key focus on the ability to listen
- Compassionate, with the ability to deal with distressed families and loved ones
- Ability to prioritise and manage a number of conflicting requirements in a professional manner and deal with a number of complex issues at the same time
- Excellent documentation skills
- Excellent diary management to ensure that all families and loved ones are allocated the necessary level of support
- Excellent IT skills - excel, word and risk management database
- Excellent report writing skills to Board assurance level
- Understanding of policy agendas
- Able to provide expert advice
- Able to manage time, so that deadlines are met
- Able to manage change constructively and effectively
- Able to negotiate constructively with all professions at all levels
- Able to develop and implement multidisciplinary training packages
- Current policy context and the implications for patient safety, including knowledge of PSIRF
- Ability to think plan and deliver and to prioritise work programs in the face of competing demands
- Ability to analyse complex clinical issues/problems, identify necessary action and make recommendations and follow these through
- Highly developed verbal communication skills i.e. Able to demonstrate he/she can effectively engage, communicate and provide information of a highly technical, highly complex, highly sensitive nature in an understandable format to all stakeholders Can demonstrate emotional leadership skills in complex situations and apply these appropriately
- Developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve staff to meet challenging targets including individuals and teams in partnership organisations
- Ability to escalate to the Trust Board as appropriate
- Good organisational skills
- Highly developed written communications skills
- Highly devComputer skills, with working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets and presentation packageseloped keyboard skills
- Analyse highly complex facts or situations, interpret a wide range of data and present it in a variety of format to a breadth of audiences, recognising its relevance to workflow, quality and performance improvement
- Ability to think clearly, facilitate and challenge appropriately to ensure reputation risk to the Trust is managed
- Able to balance competing priorities and meet personal and service targets within a fluctuating and demanding workload
- Able to ensure patient safety by assessing and managing risk associated with service developments
- Able to develop and maintain strong relationships with external partners and agencies e.g., CQC, CCG where relationships are critical
- Able to present highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information to groups and individuals internally and externally to the Trust at highest levels
- Ability to collaborate constructively with colleagues within and outside the organisation to create the conditions for successful working
- Ability to remain calm whilst managing highly complex and often difficult situations where there is often direct conflict
- Able to exercise judgement involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of range of options
- Able to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
- Have enhanced problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
Desirable
- Demonstrate interest in staff development
- Ability to deliver training
- Expert knowledge
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth professional knowledge in a number of disciplines e.g., quality governance; management, performance management, information systems, finance, staff management acquired through training and experience over extended period
- Clear understanding of the concept and working arrangements of diverse clinical areas
- Detailed understanding of the provision of health services
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of clinical pathways
- Clear understanding and working knowledge of the concept of quality governance, learning culture, effectiveness and evidence based practice.
- High level knowledge of all current issues related to governance and specifically clinical governance practice
Desirable
- Has a good understanding of research and quality improvement
- Can demonstrate how research and/or quality improvement methodology has influenced their practice
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty, and integrity in undertaking the role
- High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility in approach and attitude
- Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals, and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
- Professional calm and efficient manner
- Effective organiser/prioritisation skills influencer and networker
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals
- Attention to detail Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others
- Ability to communicate clearly in written and oral form
- Thinks outside the box
- Evidence in positive people management with leadership skills
Other
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems
- As an employee of the Trust you are expected to support the Trust's clinical governance framework for monitoring and improving standards of care. You must do this by: oTaking part in activities for improving quality oIdentifying and managing risks oMaintaining your continuous development
- As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to ensure that: oYou are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts procedures and guidelines for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults oYou attend safeguarding awareness training and undertake any additional training in relation to safeguarding relevant to your role oTo carry out responsibilities in such a way as to minimise risk of harm to children or young people and promote their welfare in accordance with the Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children, HM Government 2010
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree or accepted equivalent level of knowledge and experience
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Degree in a clinical healthcare related profession. Registered Nursing and Midwifery Qualification eligible to practice
- Investigation qualification
- Leadership course
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a clinical setting in a clinical role
- Recent significant experience in the NHS
- Significant experience of providing. compassionate responses for complex populations and those vulnerable to exclusion
- Experience of, or awareness of specific factors relating to working in a culturally diversity
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of patient safety and learning and improvement from them
- Experienced in teaching and developing, as well as training
- Clear understanding of the bereavement process. Proven ability to work with independently manage their own caseload
- Experience of work with the general public within a public facing service such as health care, volunteer sector support, police
- Broad experience based on working at a senior level in quality governance / clinical governance / clinical management settings
- Sound knowledge and understanding of complex governance arrangements and standards in the NHS and the wider health and social care economy
- Fully conversant with the national safety agenda in healthcare
- Previous experience in managing Patient Safety, governance/ quality improvement development programmes within a multi-professional environment
- People management
- Evidence of managing change with evidence of an inclusive style of leadership skill sets
- Development of effective partnership with external agencies and stakeholders in support of local strategy delivery
- Experience working with external regulatory bodies to deliver statutory requirements for registration
- Ability to write and present Board level papers, including experience of developing a business case. Good understanding of current and developing NHS policy
Desirable
- Experience within the multi- agency/care setting
Skills
Essential
- Advanced decision-making skills
- Excellent communication skills with a key focus on the ability to listen
- Compassionate, with the ability to deal with distressed families and loved ones
- Ability to prioritise and manage a number of conflicting requirements in a professional manner and deal with a number of complex issues at the same time
- Excellent documentation skills
- Excellent diary management to ensure that all families and loved ones are allocated the necessary level of support
- Excellent IT skills - excel, word and risk management database
- Excellent report writing skills to Board assurance level
- Understanding of policy agendas
- Able to provide expert advice
- Able to manage time, so that deadlines are met
- Able to manage change constructively and effectively
- Able to negotiate constructively with all professions at all levels
- Able to develop and implement multidisciplinary training packages
- Current policy context and the implications for patient safety, including knowledge of PSIRF
- Ability to think plan and deliver and to prioritise work programs in the face of competing demands
- Ability to analyse complex clinical issues/problems, identify necessary action and make recommendations and follow these through
- Highly developed verbal communication skills i.e. Able to demonstrate he/she can effectively engage, communicate and provide information of a highly technical, highly complex, highly sensitive nature in an understandable format to all stakeholders Can demonstrate emotional leadership skills in complex situations and apply these appropriately
- Developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve staff to meet challenging targets including individuals and teams in partnership organisations
- Ability to escalate to the Trust Board as appropriate
- Good organisational skills
- Highly developed written communications skills
- Highly devComputer skills, with working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets and presentation packageseloped keyboard skills
- Analyse highly complex facts or situations, interpret a wide range of data and present it in a variety of format to a breadth of audiences, recognising its relevance to workflow, quality and performance improvement
- Ability to think clearly, facilitate and challenge appropriately to ensure reputation risk to the Trust is managed
- Able to balance competing priorities and meet personal and service targets within a fluctuating and demanding workload
- Able to ensure patient safety by assessing and managing risk associated with service developments
- Able to develop and maintain strong relationships with external partners and agencies e.g., CQC, CCG where relationships are critical
- Able to present highly complex, sensitive, and contentious information to groups and individuals internally and externally to the Trust at highest levels
- Ability to collaborate constructively with colleagues within and outside the organisation to create the conditions for successful working
- Ability to remain calm whilst managing highly complex and often difficult situations where there is often direct conflict
- Able to exercise judgement involving highly complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of range of options
- Able to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change
- Have enhanced problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
- Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
Desirable
- Demonstrate interest in staff development
- Ability to deliver training
- Expert knowledge
Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth professional knowledge in a number of disciplines e.g., quality governance; management, performance management, information systems, finance, staff management acquired through training and experience over extended period
- Clear understanding of the concept and working arrangements of diverse clinical areas
- Detailed understanding of the provision of health services
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of clinical pathways
- Clear understanding and working knowledge of the concept of quality governance, learning culture, effectiveness and evidence based practice.
- High level knowledge of all current issues related to governance and specifically clinical governance practice
Desirable
- Has a good understanding of research and quality improvement
- Can demonstrate how research and/or quality improvement methodology has influenced their practice
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty, and integrity in undertaking the role
- High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility in approach and attitude
- Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to cope with uncertainty
- Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals, and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
- Professional calm and efficient manner
- Effective organiser/prioritisation skills influencer and networker
- Demonstrates a strong desire to improve performance and make a difference by focusing on goals
- Attention to detail Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others
- Ability to communicate clearly in written and oral form
- Thinks outside the box
- Evidence in positive people management with leadership skills
Other
Essential
- Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems
- As an employee of the Trust you are expected to support the Trust's clinical governance framework for monitoring and improving standards of care. You must do this by: oTaking part in activities for improving quality oIdentifying and managing risks oMaintaining your continuous development
- As an employee of the Trust you have a responsibility to ensure that: oYou are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts procedures and guidelines for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults oYou attend safeguarding awareness training and undertake any additional training in relation to safeguarding relevant to your role oTo carry out responsibilities in such a way as to minimise risk of harm to children or young people and promote their welfare in accordance with the Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children, HM Government 2010
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Hounslow and Richmond Community NHS Healthcare Trust
Address
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Galsworthy Road
Kingston Upon Thames
KT2 7QB
Employer's website
https://www.hrch.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
