Overview
The Community Stroke Pathway Coordinator plays a clinically vital role by ensuring that stroke patients and their families receive seamless, high-quality care throughout their recovery journey. This includes managing complex transitions between hospital and community services, addressing the additional challenges posed by neurological impairments and socio-economic deprivation, and actively supporting patients through all stages of their pathway. The coordinator facilitates multidisciplinary collaboration, tracks patient progress, highlights potential delays, and ensures accurate data collection. By providing consistent communication and guidance, the role is essential in safeguarding timely interventions, reducing inequalities in access to care, and supporting both patients and staff across the stroke pathway.
Main duties of the job
The Community Stroke Pathway Coordinator serves as the main point of contact for stroke patients and their carers, guiding them from admission through rehabilitation. The role demands excellent communication, facilitating collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to ensure seamless transitions and care continuity. Responsibilities include responding to enquiries, managing appointments, and keeping all stakeholders updated on patient progress and changes in stroke care guidelines. The Coordinator independently organises and prioritises tasks, ensures secure tracking and storage of health records, and provides administrative support, including post management and data entry. Problem-solving is essential, proactively addressing barriers to care and adjusting plans based on team availability. The post-holder supports patients and families emotionally and practically, ensuring timely access to assessments, treatments, and follow-ups. Adherence to Trust policies, ongoing professional development, and participation in service and departmental improvement activities are paramount. Data management involves maintaining accurate patient records and monitoring delays, with regular updates to digital systems. The Coordinator also undertakes general office duties and supports team meetings, helping foster an efficient, compassionate stroke service.
About us
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Job responsibilities
Communication Skills
The Coordinator serves as the main point of contact for stroke patients and carers from admission through to community rehabilitation. They provide guidance, signpost to relevant resources, and ensure all parties are informed and supported at every stage. Coordination with health and social care professionals enables smooth transitions, with systems in place for efficient communication among MDT members and external partners. The role includes managing enquiries, maintaining robust messaging, and ensuring timely information flow. Stakeholder communication is carried out through multiple channels, keeping everyone updated on changes in guidance. Enquiries and complaints are handled empathetically and promptly.
Organisation & Administration
The Coordinator independently manages and prioritises workload, supporting the smooth running of the department and collaborating within the MDT for service development. Responsibilities include tracking health records in line with policy, handling office duties (mail, results, filing), and following up on patient results to ensure clear outcomes. Delays are recorded, and adjustments are made for staff availability or changes to meeting schedules. Participation in service development and meetings is expected, with cross-cover provided as needed. Timely access to assessments and treatments is facilitated, recognising patient limitations due to stroke-related impairments.
Problem Solving & Initiative
Proactively identifies and addresses barriers to care transitions, responding to queries from patients, GPs, and other agencies within Trust guidelines. Awareness of staffing and scheduling issues allows for appropriate adjustments, maintaining continuity of care and supporting patients through unforeseen challenges in both inpatient and community settings.
Collaboration & Teamwork
Works closely with health and social care professionals to ensure effective communication and holistic, patient-centred care. Supports care transfers and participates in departmental initiatives. Strengthens relationships with patients, families, and MDT professionals, providing administrative support and ensuring decisions and data are shared promptly in line with standards.
Patient Care & Support
Provides guidance and support for patients and carers throughout their pathway, addressing emotional and practical challenges. General enquiries are managed in line with Trust values, with concerns escalated as needed. Facilitates timely access to care and proactively removes barriers to ensure continuity.
Compliance & Professionalism
Adheres strictly to Trust policies on data protection, confidentiality, and security. Maintains professionalism through ongoing development, training, and support for colleagues. Health records are managed securely, and other duties are undertaken as required for departmental efficiency.
Data & Information Management
Collates and manages patient results and case notes, ensuring prompt review and action. Patient delays are recorded, and health records are tracked securely. Maintains awareness of staff availability, updates the Patient Administration System, and ensures accurate data collection to support patient management.
Service & Departmental Development
Contributes to service development and departmental planning, participating in meetings and training. Works with colleagues to review and update care pathways, establish standards, and support policy and guideline revisions. Recommends improvements and assists with documentation updates.
General Office Duties
Handles post, mail sorting, and receipt stamping. Manages telephone calls and general enquiries, maintaining effective messaging and providing administrative support as required to ensure departmental efficiency.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge and Aptitude
* Keyboard/IT Skills
* Good organisation/time management
* Ability to prioritise workload
* Ability to adapt to different working practices and areas of work
* Accurate document presentation skills and attention to detail
Qualifications and Training
* Four GCSES Grade 3 (D) or above in English and Maths or Equivalent
* Evidence of using a patient administration system
Experience
* Experience working in an administrative role in healthcare
* An understanding of confidentiality
* Knowledge of medical anatomical and oncological terminology
* An understanding of the current national issues affecting stroke
* Understanding of stroke patient pathways
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.
£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum pro rata
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