Assistant Directorate Manager

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations.

Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third‑party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e‑mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website. By applying for this post you are agreeing to “name of trust” transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are appointed to a post information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Job overview

We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring leader who is highly motivated and driven to facilitate the delivery of the very best patient experience and outcomes to join the well‑established operational team within the Medical Division at MWL.

Reporting to the Directorate Manager and Deputy Directorate Manager for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, the post holder will be responsible for the Endoscopy Booking Teams and the Gastro Admin Teams across the MWL footprint.

The Gastroenterology directorate here at MWL has the largest and most diverse service portfolio in Cheshire & Merseyside. The service is delivered across four sites and delivers a wide range of services and diagnostics that include Endoscopy, Nutrition, Upper GI Oncology, Liver and GI physiology.

In addition to these the department is pioneering some of the most new and innovative procedures such as Colon Capsule Endoscopy, Trans nasal Endoscopy and Cytosponge.

The expert team includes Consultants, Speciality Doctors, Nurse Endoscopists, Liver, Nutrition & Upper GI Nurse Specialists, Physiologists, ANP’s, Management and admin, and Endoscopy booking teams.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting time to become a leader of this team as the service is currently expanding in terms of its estates and workforce, undergoing transformational change to deliver exceptional care to patients. The post will provide the successful applicant with the opportunity to lead a wide variety of operational issues and performance access targets due to the varied nature of the services.

The post holder will support the development and improvement of the Endoscopy Team and Gastro Admin Teams, continuing to strive to provide the very best care and experience to all patients, as well as continually improving the motivation and wellbeing of staff.

In an ever changing and demanding landscape within the NHS, it is essential that the post holder possess a wide range of skills to manage the demands of this challenging role.

Successful applicants will need to demonstrate management experience in an operational environment and have a proven track record of leadership qualities which have achieved measurable outcomes in performance, access targets, quality and patient experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly developing team with plenty of good reasons to choose us. We are an outstanding Trust where clinicians and managers work together to actively shape services that are Outstanding!

Please note, the role will require travel to all sites including St Helens, Whiston, Southport & Orsmkirk Hospitals with the base being St Helens Hospital.

Working for our organisation

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our Services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

• The post holder will be expected to be required to take responsibility for providing overall management support to a specific service or specific staff within services on behalf of the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager.
• Utilising effective change management, people management and project management skills to support the implementation of projects across the various specialties within the Division.
• Supporting the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager with performance and access management systems to ensure services meet agreed service specification including waiting times and other local and national targets.
• The post holder will be expected to cross site cover between all MWL sites.
• Attend Weekly Endoscopy List Planning meetings across both sites ensuring all capacity is fully utilised to meet all Access Targets including DMO1 targets and 2WW target.
• Analysing and using performance management data to support the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager to inform and improve service delivery.
• Contribute to and support the implementation of service redesign to support current and future business requirements.
• Ensure services have business continuity plans in place.
• Participate in service reviews to ensure all services are fit for purpose in accordance with corporate objectives.
• Support the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager in delivery of business developments.
• Line management of Endoscopy Booking Manager, Team Leaders and Endoscopy Booking Clerks.
• Support the processes for collection, collation, and submission of Key Performance Indicators within the Division or specialty.
• Providing management support to Nurse Specialist Teams with Directorate Managers, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager.
• Able to lead on and provide management support to the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager when required in relation to the recruitment of Medical, Nursing and Admin Specialist areas.
• Work with Clinical, Managerial and Administrative staff to identify capacity and demand risk areas and discuss resolution.
• In conjunction with the Directorate Managers, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager the post holder will monitor activity and access targets, proving weekly updates/reports and monitor agreed actions to ensure delivery.
• To provide up to date information reassurance data for PTL Meeting on behalf of the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager, highlighting potential problem areas by specialty to the relevant Directorate Manager.
• The post holder will support capacity/demand and business planning for the service group with the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Integrated Governance:

• Working with the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager to ensure services have in place effective systems for the management, recording and reporting of risks, complaints, patient safety, clinical audit and clinical effectiveness.
• Support audits and service reviews: contribute to deciding and implementing appropriate action to improve service delivery, clinical outcomes and patient experience.
• Support the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager to ensure incident reporting and complaints management procedures are followed, are used as a learning opportunity and that appropriate actions are taken to inform changes to service delivery and reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Work with managers and colleagues continually to improve the quality of services within the overall governance framework as per corporate objectives.
• With the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager ensure staff have received training and are aware of their personal responsibilities for the identification and reporting of risk and the legislative reporting requirements such as RIDDOR and fire safety.
• Work with managers and colleagues to identify, manage and minimise risks within the Trust’s Risk Management Framework.

Service Development:

• Contribute to the formulation of strategies and plans, including the Annual Report for the Division or Service
• In conjunction with Directorate Manager/Clinical Director, contribute to Trust wide strategic and planning process.
• Contribute to and support the planning and implementation of service redesign to support current and future business requirements.
• Support the transition of new services into the Trust.
• Exercise delegated authority on behalf of the Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager to resolve day to day management issues for all aspects of operational and financial planning

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for initial stages of disciplinary procedures, personal development, management of sickness absence and allocation of responsibilities of staff in line with Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Motivating, encouraging, and engaging teams and individuals to achieve and embrace organisational objectives, key performance indicators and new ways of working.
• Maintaining and seek to improve communication channels with commissioners, staff, patients, and other stakeholders even where the substance of the communication may be difficult or contentious.
• Support Clinical Director / Directorate Manager with Project plans to reach the organisational objectives whilst also ensuring that employees are treated in line with best practice.
• The post holder will act independently within Human Resources guidelines, ensuring all areas are compliant.
• Support Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager in ensuring that an effective communication network exists within the directorate and that all staff are aware of corporate, and directorate aims and objectives and their contribution in achieving these.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recognise and accept responsibility for own personal development.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Line management of the Endoscopy Booking Manager, Team Leaders and Endoscopy Booking Clerks to ensure Endoscopy Lists are fully utilised for Endoscopy Booking Service in accordance with National Guidelines and all performance access targets.
• Line management of Specialty Administration staff in accordance with Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Ensure management of staff is consistent with Trust HR policies to the achievement of equality, equity, and optimum performance.
• The post holder will oversee the management of the Health Roster allocating endoscopy booking clerks between both sites to enable full utilisation of booking capacity.

MEDICAL STAFFING

• Overseeing medical staff provision in respective directorates, understanding financial constraints.
• Delegated financial authority to secure locum cover as and when required which includes requesting Executive approval.
• Delegated financial authority to sign off Consultant additional payments and time sheets for agency and bank junior staff, understanding the financial constraints of the organisation.
• Oversee the recruitment process of consultants and junior doctors within respective directorates.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Authorisation of initial payments and validating Extra Session Payments as required.
• Act as authorised budget signatory for requesting and authorising SBS consumables within the Directorate.
• Delegated financial authority to cancel/reduce clinical activity in conjunction with Directorate Manager, Deputy Directorate Manager or Associate Directorate Manager in accordance with Patient Access Policy.
• Developing team awareness of cost‑effective service provision.
• Demonstrate an awareness and contribute to the implementation of the Care Group Cost Improvement programme.
• Contributing to annual financial plans and supporting budget holders with active management and monitoring of budgets across specific specialities to achieve financial balance and cost improvements.
• Manage eVAC submissions, variations and terminations forms ensuring the effective use of all financial resources providing and delivering the service.
• The activity is delivered in the most cost effective and efficient way, to minimise the need for premium rate work and thereby manage cost down

Person specification

Qualifications

• Degree level education or equivalent experience
• Evidence of further study and professional development to postgraduate diploma level or equivalent experience
• Management, professional or other recognised academic or vocational qualification

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven operational management skills
• Experience in people management and application of HR policies and procedures
• Knowledge and understanding of service improvement and practical use of tool that has led to service improvement
• Experience of supporting service delivery
• Experience in operational and project management
• Experience of using process mapping to change a service

Skills

• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to achieve demanding tasks and objectives against tight timescales
• Ability to work on own initiative and schedule work to meet deadlines
• Demonstrate ability to successfully support, manage and sustain change in a complex organisation.
• Evidence of developing stakeholder relationships at a service and operational level.

Other

• Able to measure progress against target
• Highly self‑motivated, conscientious in approach and pays attention to detail
• Possess high internal work standards, setting goals and helping others to do so

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward‑thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Given sometimes we receive a high volume of applications to work for us, please be aware, that we may close a vacancy earlier than stated should a sufficient number of applications be received from which a shortlist can be confirmed. Therefore, you are advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

The Trust may contact you during the recruitment process for your feedback on your experience. We always aim for continuous improvement in our practice.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

If you are having difficulty completing an online application, or require any disability reasonable adjustments, to the application process, please contact Recruitment@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk

We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.

The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision‑making process.

The equality monitoring information you provide is used in the following situations: to review our recruitment practices; where a job is limited to a specific person to verify their eligibility to apply; and to offer disability reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click here to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship.

eVisa Update

For successful candidates on selected work and study visa routes, who have completed and paid for their applications will no longer receive a visa vignette in passport as evidence of their permission to enter the UK.

Instead, you will be issued with an eVisa only, which is accessed by creating a UKVI account.

Before travelling to the UK, we advise applicants to:

• Understand how to generate an eVisa share code

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 it will be necessary to submit a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Please note if applicable, applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment.

Applicants are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service at a small annual fee of £13 per year.

Flexible Working

We actively support flexible working patterns throughout MWL. Changes made to the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook mean that:

• All employees have the right to request flexible working from day one of employment.
• There is no limit on the number of requests they can make.
• Employees have the right to make requests, have them considered, regardless of the reason.

At Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we will consider requests for flexible working. We would also encourage you to also discuss flexible working options at interview stage.

Working for Team MWL

Staff recognition is especially important to us; as well as performance reviews and appraisals, we recognise staff through Employee of the month. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

The Trust is a non‑smoking across all our sites. Failure to follow this rule could lead to disciplinary action. For more information, see the Smoke Free NHS website.

You will be expected to undertake the Trusts’ commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

You must ensure that your application, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated and will check all applications against AI detection software.

Additional Information

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and Behaviours which can be found here.

An applicant guide to help and support you with your application and what to expect during your recruitment journey can be accessed in the supporting documents.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team MWL very soon.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Name Gemmell JohnstonJob title Directorate Manager, Gastro & EndoscopyEmail address gemmell.johnston@merseywestlancs.nhs.ukTelephone number 07345 480813

Additional information: If you require any further information or wish to arrange an informal discussion, please contact me on the above email address.

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