About this role
Job summary
The Private Patient Officer is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the Trust's private patient service, ensuring a seamless, high-quality experience for insured, self-funded and private patients throughout their care journey. The post holder will oversee private patient pathways from initial enquiry through to treatment, discharge and invoicing, ensuring all activity is accurately recorded, authorised and charged in line with NHS legislation, Trust policies and contractual requirements.
Working closely with clinical teams, finance colleagues, insurers and patients, the role provides specialist advice on private patient processes, funding and charging arrangements, supports income capture and billing accuracy, and helps maximise private patient income. The post holder will also contribute to service improvement, data quality, governance and staff training, while delivering a professional, customer-focused service and maintaining excellent standards of patient care and experience.
Based at Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, the role reports to the Paying Patients Manager and requires strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, together with the ability to manage complex patient pathways and work autonomously in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
Main duties of the job The Private Patient Officer is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the private patient pathway, acting as a central point of contact for patients, insurers, clinical teams and administrative staff. The post holder ensures that private, self-funded and insured patients progress smoothly through their treatment journey, from initial enquiry and admission through to discharge and invoicing. Key duties include validating funding arrangements and insurance authorisations, applying private patient tariffs, ensuring all private activity is accurately recorded and charged, resolving complex pathway and billing issues, and supporting the Trust's income generation objectives. The role also provides specialist advice and training on private patient processes and charging regulations, monitors data quality and compliance, produces performance and income reports, manages patient concerns and complaints, and contributes to service development and continuous improvement initiatives. Throughout all activities, the post holder is expected to deliver a professional, customer-focused service while maintaining compliance with NHS legislation, Trust policies, GDPR requirements and governance standards.
About us
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is at the heart of acute and specialist care for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We care for a population of around 470,000 people, a number that increases during visitor seasons. We employ around 6,700 staff, united by a shared commitment to deliver safe, high-quality care. We provide services across three main hospital sites, with around 780 inpatient beds:
Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro St Michael's Hospital in Hayle West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance As a teaching hospital, we're proud to work in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School, supporting the next generation of health professionals. We're committed to staying at the forefront of medical advance; investing in our people, developing our facilities, and expanding the specialist care we can offer locally so more patients can receive the care they need closer to home. We have a growing reputation for research and innovation that helps shape better care for the future. The Knowledge Spa, located on our Truro site, is a vibrant hub for medical, nursing and professional education across clinical and non-clinical roles. It plays a vital role in attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled teams.
We are driven by one clear ambition, Outstanding Care for One and All, care that's safe, kind and high-quality. We are RCHT.
Job description Job responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: To view the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click the supporting document on the right-hand side.
To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:
Identity ChecksProfessional registration and qualification checksEmployment history and reference checksOccupational Health clearanceSatisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service checkRight to work in the UKFor further information please visit:
https://www.nhsemployers.org/topics-networks/employment-standards-and-regulation
We reserve the right to close this advert early.
We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.
We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Knowledge of health services management through training and experience to degree level or equivalent Management qualification or equivalent experience
Experience Essential
Experience of dealing with highly complex information Evidence of success in roles requiring management of multiple complex issues simultaneously Significant proven experience in delivering administrative functions
Desirable
Experience of working in a health care environment Experience of a similar role or role of equivalent seniority within the NHS Knowledge and experience of Paying Patient legislation and processes Experienced in service development and improvement in an administrative setting
Knowledge, skills and abilities Essential
Ability to work under pressure and prioritise tasks, motivating and coaching staff to drive positive outcomes, meeting deadlines Confident and capable of using standard Microsoft software applications Able to utilising problem solving skills and strong organisational skills
Desirable
Proficient in NHS electronic patient record systems
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 Cornwall Hospitals Trust
Address RCHT
Truro
TR1 3LJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)