Preoperative Assessment (POA) Patient Flow Coordinator

Job overview

We are seeking to employ enthusiastic, highly motivated Patient Flow Coordinators to expand our team within the Preoperative Assessment Service.

The Pre-Operative Assessment team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of a range of health care professionals and administrative staff, responsible for the assessment and optimisation of patients awaiting surgery. The department takes on a vital role in ensuring patients are prepared for their procedures and therefore the smooth running of surgical operating lists, and plays a critical function in facilitating the delivery of the elective recovery plan.  The department is continuously evolving and developing to enhance quality and efficiency to assist with the elective recovery and ensure patients coming to the hospital for a procedure receive the best care possible.

Our PRIDE values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence are important to us. By adhering to the Trust PRIDE values enhances the ability to communicate in a personable, approachable, and respectful manner also supporting the development of instant and positive relationships with both staff and patients. This approach facilitates the individual to work inclusively and collaboratively with staff to provide excellent care for our patients. The highest level of integrity and honesty is expected, and this is regularly demonstrated through our patient feedback.

Main duties of the job

As part of the Pre-Assessment team, the opportunity is available to proactively manage patient flow within the department ensuring that Pre-Operative Assessment (POA) capacity is fully utilised and that patients progress along their pre-operative pathway as smoothly and efficiently as possible. The department embraces the chance for staff development, and the individual will gain skills in proactively managing the department clinic booking system and the new digital patient screening system, gaining knowledge and experience at identifying capacity surpluses and shortfalls and taking steps to ensure capacity is fully utilised. The department is going through a period of significant transformation to the way staff work and the way patients progress along the pre-operative assessment pathway so there is also opportunity to have a direct input on the future of the department and its working practices.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work collaboratively within the team but will also be expected to work independently and use their initiative to direct their time. They will work closely within the requirements of Trust and Departmental policies and procedures to ensure that patient pathways are correctly managed. Data collection and processing is vital for service improvement; therefore, they will assist the clinical and administrative teams with regular audits.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To actively track patients referred to POA from speciality consultants, that require a POA as part of their patient pathway.
• To undertake the clerical aspects of Pre-operative Assessment duties associated with the Surgical Directorate. This will include monitoring and maintaining administrative materials within the department.
• To use all relevant trust digital systems (including, but not limited to, PAS & ORSOS) in the fulfilment of your duties.
• To book, review and reschedule appointments, as necessary, using trust systems (PAS & ORSOS).
• Liaise with specialty managers and agree patient cohorts to be taken from the patient tracking list to backfill last-minute or additional assessment slots.
• In collaboration with speciality operations and administration managers, identify target groups of patients requiring pre-screening/pre-assessment.
• Complete the POA ‘forward-look’, with the intention of identifying and filling spare POA capacity for the coming week to ensure maximum utilisation.
• Develop and maintain efficient and effective administration systems for the management of patients along the POA pathway.
• To exchange confidential and sometimes sensitive information with clerical staff in relation to the POA pathway.
• Manage and distribute timely reports for the POA service.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Please note that this advertised position, which is part of occupation code 4111 does not meet the UKVI eligibility requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa (this includes if you are already in a sponsored post and looking to change employer). The Trust would not be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Please note due to high volume of applications for some posts, this post may close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible