Job overview
The post holder will be required to lead and develop a robust Patient Experience and Public Engagement Strategy with the Director of Nursing, Deputy Director of Nursing and Divisional Heads of Nursing and Quality. In collaboration with the Director of Nursing and Chief Medical Officer, provide visible senior leadership to ensure that there are effective Patient experience strategies across the Trust, with processes, systems, training and enabling tools for staff to implement these strategies locally. This will ensure safe and effective care for patients, staff and visitors.
The post holder will lead the Patient Experience and Public Engagement Team, overseeing the Complaints, PALS, Volunteer, Carers and patient experience and public engagement services in supporting the Trust to meet the requirement of the National Patient Experience Strategy.
The post holder will keep abreast of national initiatives and developments, identifying and communicating changes to ensure that best practice initiatives are implemented as part of continuous improvement within Patient Experience, Volunteering and Patient and Public Engagement. They will ensure that teams have up to date policies and procedures in place that are relevant, understood and complied with, and will provide training and development of staff as appropriate.
Main duties of the job
Lead the Patient Experience and Public Engagement Team at DCHFT.
Provide leadership to the volunteer services and compliance with national processes and reporting regarding volunteers in the NHS Act as a catalyst for organisational change feeding back patient and carers experiences and views and recommending action to resolve problems
The post holder will have extensive contact with patients and the public through meeting and engagement opportunities seeking opinion and feedback.
To ensure that the Trust maintains statutory requirements for reporting feedback responses and analyse trends or themes to ensure that learning is embedded.
Maintain reporting mechanisms to monitor and record feedback activity and outcomes within the Trust to identify trends and themes. Develop and maintain service evaluation mechanisms as required ensuring National Patient experience standards are met.
Assist with Development and maintenance of up-to-date relevant PALS and Complaints procedural policies and protocols.
Working for our organisation
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.
Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.
UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
* In-depth specialist knowledge of healthcare regulations, standards, and accreditation bodies acquired through Masters education or equivalent experience plus specialist experience and expertise in clinical governance and staff management.
* Business/Project management qualification, or equivalent experience
* Leadership/governance qualification
* Extensive experience in patient experience and public engagement, or a related field within the healthcare sector
* Evidence of further professional and personal development
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
* Strong leadership skills, with a track record of successfully managing and motivating teams
* Experience of patient experience and public engagement activities – standards/audit, guidelines, protocols, quality improvement methodologies, research and risk management
* Demonstrable senior management experience within a complex large organisation preferably within the NHS
* Experience of working with external providers/commissioners in measuring and developing service improvements.
* Experience of developing systems and mechanisms for measuring elements of service level or patient level standards of care
* Experience of working with patients/service/stakeholders to improve quality of service.
* Knowledge of the components of patient experience and public engagement and assurance function: current NHS national policies, standards, requirements and direction that relate to measuring and improving the quality and safety of patient care.
* Excellent presentation, communication, problem solving and report writing skills.
* Experience of liaising with external agencies and multidisciplinary working
* Experience of having managed and supervised teams diverse in both make up and geography
* Experience of developing and implementing strategy and/or project management at a senior level preferably in the NHS.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Proven written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, with high level negotiation and influencing skills and an ability to build effective relationships with colleagues and a range of external partners.
* Ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders who have differing and sometimes conflicting needs.
* Self-motivated, can organised and priorities work using own initiative
* Ability to deal confidently with staff at all levels of the organisations.
* Demonstrates commitment to improving the quality of patient care.
* Advanced planning and organisational skills.
* Excellent leadership, influencing and motivational skills.
* Able to negotiate and influence at an organisational level and externally with a range of stakeholders.
* Excellent verbal and written communication
* Excellent computer literacy skills with knowledge of developing and leading presentations, using and managing databases and effective use of word processing software, and incident reporting systems such as Datix
Our Mission
Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision
Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values
Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.
You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.