About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Flow Co-ordinator to join our team and play a key role in supporting safe, effective and timely patient flow across our services.
As a Band 7 Flow Co-ordinator, you will provide proactive clinical and operational leadership to support inpatient and community teams to make effective decisions about admission, patient placement and discharge. You will work across services to maximise the use of available resources, identify and respond to capacity pressures, and support the timely progression of complex patient pathways.
The role requires someone who can work confidently in a fast-paced environment, manage competing priorities and provide constructive challenge when required. You will build effective relationships with ward teams, clinicians, managers, social care, care providers and partner organisations to overcome barriers to flow and achieve the best outcomes for patients.
You will also contribute to escalation processes, bed management, governance and service development, while acting as a visible and credible professional role model.
If you are an experienced clinician with strong leadership, assessment, problem-solving and decision-making skills and are passionate about improving patient flow and patient experience, we would welcome your application.
Main duties of the job
The Flow Co-ordinator will provide proactive leadership and coordination across inpatient and community services to support safe and effective patient flow.
Key responsibilities will include supporting the gatekeeping and assessment of potential admissions, facilitating appropriate patient placement, challenging estimated dates of discharge and supporting teams to progress complex discharge arrangements.
You will work closely with ward managers, clinicians, other Flow Co-ordinators, the office bed manager, social care and external care providers to identify capacity pressures, resolve barriers to discharge and minimise delays.
The role will also involve monitoring the bed position, contributing to bed meetings and daily reporting, initiating escalation processes when capacity is under pressure and providing concise updates on activity, risks and issues.
You will need excellent communication, leadership, risk-management and problem-solving skills, alongside the ability to make sound decisions and prioritise within a complex and changing environment. You will be expected to work flexibly across core, late, weekend and bank holiday shifts and contribute to the 24/7 out-of-hours arrangements.
About us
We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.
What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.
It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of
If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.
We are very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Flow Co-ordinator will facilitate, enable and support inpatient services and community teams in decision making to achieve optimal patient flow and utilisation of available resources across services. The post holder will support the gatekeeping of prospective admissions, ensure timely and appropriate placement of patients requiring admission and support managers and clinicians in facilitating and expediting complex discharge arrangements.
The post holder will:
Patient flow and discharge
Support the gatekeeping and assessment of potential admissions in liaison with colleagues in the Crisis Hub. Ensure agreement is reached with ward teams regarding discharge plans and coordinated discharge dates. Challenge estimated dates of discharge and actively escalate issues to the responsible Ward Manager. Maintain effective contact with patients, relatives and carers, taking account of their clinical needs and placement requirements. Work alongside the office bed manager to proactively manage flow across Trust and community services and avoid admission where possible. Maintain knowledge of Trust bed management, discharge and escalation policies. Develop positive relationships across wards and departments, identifying capacity shortfalls and barriers to flow. Work proactively with other Flow Co-ordinators, administrative colleagues, social care and care providers to ensure complex packages of care are available and implemented in a timely way. Clinical and operational leadership
Liaise with ward managers and other Flow Co-ordinators regarding patient bed allocation. Liaise with other NHS Trusts to support appropriate repatriation of patients. Initiate escalation arrangements when acute inpatient capacity is at or nearing capacity. Liaise with Consultant colleagues and other clinical teams regarding the site bed position and strategies to manage capacity pressures. Contribute to managing staffing issues that affect patient flow. Provide concise and timely updates on shift activity, problems identified and actions taken. Maintain awareness of national and regional developments relevant to patient flow and contribute to their implementation. Provide a professional resource to nursing and medical colleagues regarding Trust policies and procedures. Participate in professional forums where appropriate. Governance and quality
Promote a patient-centred approach to care and decision making. Work collaboratively with ward and departmental teams to improve patient flow and pathways. Promote and protect the dignity of patients and their families/carers. Contribute to governance, audit and quality improvement activity. Support effective risk management and comply with Trust policies and procedures. Maintain professional accountability and ensure mandatory training and professional development requirements are met. Management and organisational responsibilities
Participate in and lead bed meetings where appropriate, ensuring relevant and concise information is available. Complete daily metrics and provide information to support senior colleagues in understanding the bed position. Contribute to the management of operational pressures and staffing issues affecting flow. Maintain effective communication with colleagues across the Trust and partner organisations. Work collaboratively and flexibly to support the wider operational requirements of the service. The post holder will be expected to maintain confidentiality, comply with health and safety, safeguarding, infection prevention and control and risk management requirements, and uphold the Trust's values and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
The role extends beyond the standard working day and requires the post holder to work a mixture of core and late shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, and to contribute to the 24/7 Flow Co-ordinator rota and out-of-hours arrangements.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience of working within Acute and/or community crisis services at Band 6 level or above. Experience of leading and contributing to complex decision making. Front line experience of triage and assessment of urgent referrals Ability to work within an environment with a range of conflicting demands and show the ability to prioritise.
Qualifications Essential
Relevant professional qualification. Evidence of continuous professional development. Evidence of higher practice skills in relevant treatment/assessment modalities.
Desirable
Relevant Post Registration Qualifications
Knowledge Essential
Experience of working within Acute and/or community crisis services at Band 6 level or above Excellent Risk management and problem- solving skills Higher triage skills and assessment of urgent referrals. Of relevant policy regards achieving access to 24/7 Urgent and Emergency Mental Health care, and current developments within Mental Health
Skills Essential
Ability to work flexibly and outside of core hours including weekends and Bank Holidays as service dictates Ability to take part in and contribute to the out of hours coordinator role as service dictates.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Longley Centre
Norwood Grange Drive
Sheffield
S5 7JT
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)