Overseas Visiting Officer

Job overview

We are currently seeking to appoint an Overseas Visiting Officer to join our team on a full-time basis. This role involves working 35 hours per week, across five working days from Monday to Friday.

Main duties of the job

The role is to ensure that overseas visitors are assessed for eligibility for NHS treatment against the DHSC criteria. Where not eligible overseas visitors attending WWL including Wrightington Hospital, the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Leigh Infirmary, Boston House and Thomas Linacre Centre are charged appropriately for the services they receive. The post holder undertakes the core tasks involved and supports the development of plans, policies and process changes within this service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities Key results from the job holder

• Conduct 1:1 interviews (either face-to-face, virtual or using translation services) with overseas visitors to analyse the situation and assess eligibility for free NHS treatment, securing the necessary documentary evidence and recording the key points discussed and conclusions reached.
• Assess patients against eligibility criteria and discuss complex cases with the Overseas Visitors/Private Patient Officer, Directorate Manager or other senior manager as appropriate e.g. Trust solicitor.
• Show appropriate sensitivity in dealing with patients and their relatives in difficult circumstances
• Coordinate arrangements for billing overseas patients for diagnostic tests, procedures etc.
• In cases here immediate necessary treatment is declined, obtain written justification from the clinical staff concerned
• Monitor patient episodes of care to ensure that invoices are raised regularly and reflect the overall care package
• Ensure the timely collection of Undertaking to Pay forms
• Liaise with the UK Border Agency and Home Office regarding the residency status of patients
• Support the Overseas Visitors/Private Patient Officer in research to keep abreast of overseas visitors issues as they arise nationally and in other NHS Trusts
• Support the Overseas Visitors/Private Patient Officer in the development of the Trust’s Overseas Visitors policies and procedures
• Support the Overseas Visitors/Private Patient Officer respond to responses to Freedom of Information requests and the development of Patient Information Leaflets
• Use various IT systems as required and input required data accurately e.g. Oracle, Patient Centre, HIS, Healhcode, MESH, local overseas visitors spreadsheet
• Plan own workload to ensure effective prioritisation

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Have full knowledge and understanding of the complex DHSC Guidance on Implementing the Overseas Visitor Charging regulations
• Utilise the DHSC portal for advice and guidance as required
• Timely submission of overseas patient activity to the DWP Overseas patient portal (EHIP)
• To deputise for the Overseas Visitors/ Private Patient Officer on attendance at meetings including regional/national Overseas Manager Meetings and feedback to Trust representatives as requested by the Overseas Visitors/Private Patient Officer
• Deal with queries from clinical and corporate teams, as well as external agencies, over the phone, by email and in person in a calm and polite manner and in accordance with Trust policy.
• Maintenance of patient records and preparation of clinic/admission notes where necessary
• Maintain appropriate records for audit purposes

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• The post holder has a wide range of working relationships includingo Patients and their familieso Trust Clinicianso Trust staffo Finance including SBSo NHS Counterfraudo UK Border Agencyo Home Officeo Department of Work and Pensionso Safeguarding teamo Other Trusts

Responsibility for Finance

• The post holds no budget responsibility but the post holder has a responsibility to ensure that Trust income is not lost due to ineligible overseas visitors being given treatment.
• To raise estimated costs of treatment in accordance with NHS Upfront tariff
• Securing cash/credit card deposits/payments for treatment of Overseas Visitors in advance of treatment where practicable or prior to discharge
• Raise appropriate invoices on Oracle for

Responsibility for Human Resources

• The post has no line management responsibilities for staff but will be involved in training and advising members of the wider administrative team.

Responsibility for Teaching

• The post holder is expected to teach basic principles of the management of overseas visitors to members of the wider administrative team to facilitate service resilience.
• The post holder will contribute to Trust wide education programmes to raise the profile of the Overseas Visitors team.