Job overview
To work closely with clinicians, nurses, and all members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) across all specialties to ensure that patients are actively managed through Emergency patient pathways, highlighting any potential delays in the pathway and ensuring accurate data collection to support process,
As an integral member of the Emergency Department the post holder will work with other members of the Emergency Department, Liaising with the Site Team and Specialty Teams to:
* Coordinate patient flow by working alongside the ED and AAU shift managers to utilise bed capacity
* To escalate long waits and delays through the escalation process
* To collect, record and communicate accurate, timely and complete information to support operational and clinical needs.
* Maximise patient flow to deliver ED access targets and relevant clinical indicators.
* Facilitate the patient transfer to the wards by ensuring senior clinical decisions are made.
* To book hospital transport for patients who meet the clinical criteria
* Shift work, 7 days a week cover for the hours of 8:00-22:00
Main duties of the job
* Monitor and manage patient pathways in the Emergency Department to meet national (4-hour maximum wait) and internal targets (rapid assessment within 15 minutes, clinician review within 1 hour, referral within 2.5 hours, specialty review within 30 minutes, and discharge/admission decision within 3.5 hours).
* Work with the ED Nurse in Charge to coordinate investigations, transfers, and admissions, escalating delays or bottlenecks to senior staff when necessary.
* Liaise with multidisciplinary teams to ensure accurate communication, seamless patient flow, and adherence to Trust guidelines on patient access.
* Develop, implement, and refine ED pathway policies and procedures in collaboration with clinical and non-clinical teams.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of pathway targets and act as a reference point for the MDT.
* Use electronic bed management systems and negotiation skills to maximize patient flow and safety.
* Investigate and report on patient pathway failures, ensuring timely action to prevent recurrence.
* Monitor staffing and departmental pressures, escalating issues to ED Bronze and recording them appropriately.
* Handle telephone queries efficiently, exercise independent judgment, and take initiative to resolve problems or escalate when required.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Monitor and manage patient pathways in the Emergency Department (ED): Ensure that patients move efficiently through the department, meeting both national and internal performance targets. This involves tracking each patient’s progress from arrival to discharge or admission, identifying delays early, and taking proactive steps to keep the patient journey within required timeframes.
* Coordinate investigations, transfers, and admissions: Work closely with the ED Nurse in Charge to arrange diagnostic tests, specialist referrals, and transfers. The role requires balancing clinical priorities with operational pressures, ensuring patients are assessed, treated, and moved on promptly. Where delays occur, escalate issues to senior staff to maintain flow.
* Meet national and internal targets:
o National target: maximum 4-hour wait from arrival to departure.
o Internal targets: rapid assessment within 15 minutes, clinician review within 1 hour, referral to specialty within 2.5 hours, specialty review within 30 minutes of referral, and discharge/admission decision within 3.5 hours. These benchmarks are critical for patient safety, departmental efficiency, and compliance with NHS standards.
* Act as a reference point for pathway knowledge: Maintain up-to-date awareness of ED targets, processes, and escalation criteria (e.g., 4-hour and 12-hour breaches). Provide guidance to colleagues and ensure reasons for breaches are documented clearly and communicated accurately to management.
* Liaise with multidisciplinary teams (MDT): Collaborate with doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and managers across the Trust to ensure seamless patient care. This includes interpreting clinical and operational information and conveying it concisely to the right people at the right time.
* Develop and refine policies and procedures: Contribute to the creation and improvement of ED pathway policies. Work with both clinical and non-clinical staff to ensure processes are practical, effective, and aligned with Trust-wide standards.
* Utilise electronic bed management systems: Use digital tools to track bed availability, patient flow, and capacity pressures. This ensures patients are placed safely and efficiently, reducing overcrowding and improving departmental performance.
* Investigate and report pathway failures: When delays or breaches occur, liaise with service managers to identify causes, document findings, and recommend corrective actions. This helps prevent recurrence and supports continuous improvement.
* Monitor staffing and departmental pressures: Stay aware of staff availability, workload, and external factors (e.g., surges in patient demand). Escalate concerns to ED Bronze or Site Managers, ensuring accurate records are kept in relevant systems.
* Identify and resolve bottlenecks: Spot potential delays in referrals, or admissions. Take initiative to expedite processes or escalate issues to senior staff to maintain patient flow.
* Handle communication effectively: Answer telephone queries promptly, ensuring they are resolved or directed appropriately. Provide clear updates to colleagues and managers about changing pressures and capacity requirements.
* Exercise independent judgment: Use initiative to resolve problems as they arise, balancing patient needs with departmental priorities. Where issues cannot be resolved independently, escalate to the appropriate senior staff member.
* Adapt to changing priorities: Manage workload flexibly, responding to the dynamic environment of the ED. Support pathway improvements and facilitate change when new processes are introduced.