Job overview
The Sussex Cancer Centre is seeking a Deputy Patient Access Manager to help deliver a high-quality, flexible administrative service within our busy oncology unit. This key role supports the Patient Access Manager in achieving Patient Access and Cancer Treatment targets.
You will oversee the day-to-day running of outpatient services, ensuring efficient patient flow and timely appointments. The role includes managing peaks in activity, supervising the Patient Access Clerks team, allocating workloads, conducting appraisals, and handling HR matters in line with Trust policy.
We’re looking for someone with extensive experience in booking procedures, a strong understanding of cancer targets and the 18-week referral-to-treatment pathway, plus a proven track record in change management and team leadership. Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure are essential. You should be confident in managing your own workload, multitasking, and adapting to changing service demands.
Main duties of the job
1. Collaborate with the Operational Manager and Patient Access Manager across all Oncology sites to manage operational processes and address capacity/demand pressures.
2. Line manage Patient Access Clerks in the First Contact Oncology Booking Hub, including workload allocation, training, appraisals, recruitment, and HR compliance.
3. Advise outpatient and inpatient admin teams on complex patient access, diagnosis, and treatment issues.
4. Support delivery of national cancer waiting time standards, including 18 weeks and 2-week wait targets.
5. Collect and provide data for statistical reports and performance monitoring.
6. Identify and resolve capacity issues affecting cancer waiting times and RTT standards.
7. Manage outpatient waiting lists, prevent backlogs, and coordinate additional clinics during peak activity.
8. Act as escalation point for patient, relative, and GP queries; investigate complaints and escalate unresolved issues.
9. Ensure accurate PAS data entry for cancer waiting times and RTT status.
10. Work with clinical teams to ensure compliance with Patient Access Policy.
11. Validate cancer waiting times and support RTT and cancer recovery plans.
12. Provide information to assist operational and clinical leads in managing demand and capacity.
13. Coordinate clinician leave, clinic cancellations, and patient rescheduling.
14. Attend PTL and RTT meetings as required.
15. Deliver a flexible, efficient admin and reception service supporting patients and clinical teams.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
Please see the detailed job description and person specification for information regarding the main responsibilities .
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
16. NHS outpatient booking experience
17. Contact and/or visit prior to shortlisting application
Desirable criteria
18. Working knowledge of Careflow PAS
19. Knowledge of Patient Access Policy
Skills
Essential criteria
20. IT skills
21. Effective communication across a variety of platforms
22. Organisational skills
23. Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with professionals within the service
Desirable criteria
24. Knowledge of UHSx IT systems
People Management
Essential criteria
25. Effective leadership skills with the ability to manage and direct people
Desirable criteria
26. Experience of undertaking performance and development reviews
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
27. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
28. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications