About this role
Job summary
The Assistant Patient Pathway Managers role is to support the Patient Pathway manager and Directorate Senior Management Team (Clinical Director, Matron, and Directorate Manager) in the efficient and effective operational management of your respective service/s in order to deliver continually improving, high quality patient care.
The Deputy Manager will provide support and expert knowledge to the team of patient pathway coordinators and associated roles within the admin team.
The DPPM has delegated responsibilities for a range of operational activities (in the absence of the PPM), working autonomously using initiative and their specialist knowledge and experience of the service to make decisions.
The post holder assists with the the delivery of the daily operational business of the designated service area as well as contributing to the development and implementation of strategic plans.
The Deputy Patient Pathway Manager will assist with the overseeing of all administrative and clerical processes to enable a high quality, effective, patient focused service to be delivered. The post holder will ensure that standard operating procedures are followed, to help ensure the achievement of all performance targets. In the absence of the Patient Pathway Manager the Deputy Patient pathway Manager will be responsible for providing regular updates on performance and the escalation of issues which hinder the delivery of a smooth patient pathway to the Directorate Manager.
Main duties of the job
The role supports the Patient Pathway Manager in leading the administrative team, assisting with line management, recruitment, performance processes, annual leave, sickness, and staff development. It contributes to training delivery, appraisal completion, and ensuring staff have the skills and system knowledge required for high-quality patient-focused services. The post oversees adherence to Standard Operating Procedures, monitors data quality on EPR, tracks pathway milestones, manages clinic and theatre utilisation, and escalates capacity issues. It provides expert RTT knowledge, supports PPCs with pathway queries, manages patient handovers across multiple pathways, and investigates breaches to prevent recurrence. The role acts as a communication link for senior management, supports complaint and incident investigations, monitors risks, ensures timely and high-quality communication with clinical teams, patients and external partners, and facilitates governance requests. It contributes to service development by managing projects, supporting redesign initiatives, implementing pilots, improving workflow efficiency, and assisting with wider planning activities such as business cases, service reviews, annual plans and contract changes.
About us
Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Deputy Patient Pathway Manager plays a key leadership role in supporting the effective operational delivery of patient pathways across the Directorate. Working closely with the Patient Pathway Manager and senior leadersincluding the Clinical Director, Matron and Directorate Managerthe post holder ensures that administrative, clerical and pathwayrelated processes run smoothly, efficiently and in line with Trust standards. The role provides daytoday oversight of administrative teams, supports staff development, maintains highquality data standards, and contributes to the achievement of performance targets that underpin safe, timely and patientcentred care.
The post holder acts as a senior point of coordination within the admin team, offering expert knowledge of elective pathways, RTT rules, clinic utilisation, and operational pressures. They support the management of staff performance, recruitment, training, and wellbeing, ensuring the team has the capability and confidence to deliver a reliable service. The Deputy PPM monitors pathway progression from referral to discharge, identifies risks or delays, escalates capacity issues, and contributes to solutions that improve flow and reduce breaches.
In the absence of the Patient Pathway Manager, the Deputy PPM provides autonomous leadership, making informed decisions based on specialist knowledge of the service. They act as a communication link between clinical teams, operational managers, governance colleagues and external partners, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and information is shared accurately. The role also supports incident reviews, complaints handling, risk identification, and governance reporting.
Person Specification
Eduction Essential
GCSE/A-Level in English and Math
Desirable
Further Education in Leadership
Career Essential
Demonstrated People Management experience Experience in Administrative roles Experience in customer relations
Desirable
Previous managerial roles NHS Administrative Experience Experience Managing complaints
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Berkshire Hospital
London Road
Reading
RG1 5AN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)