Head of Patient Safety

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Patient Safety Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

As Head of Patient Safety, you will provide support to the Associate Director of Nursing in leading the response to patient safety, implementing PSIRF, and overseeing both the patient safety and tissue viability teams.

The successful candidate will lead on a broad range of patient safety and clinical governance activities, in liaison with other key professionals within the Trust.

We are looking for an authentic, senior clinical leader with drive and enthusiasm and a proven background in patient safety/clinical governance.

Main Duties of the Job

The Head of Patient Safety will have a central role within the Patient Safety Team holding a portfolio of responsibility for patient safety and tissue viability.

You will provide support for the strategic direction of the Trust’s patient safety agenda, offering expert advice and guidance throughout the Trust. The post holder will lead and deliver on a range of patient safety and quality projects and contribute to the wider Trust Quality Strategy and compliance with the Care Quality Commission’s standards.

In discussion with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk, you will lead the development and implementation of focused safety improvement programmes to demonstrably improve patient outcomes, including the implementation of PSIRF.

You will work with Trust staff and provide tailored improvement support to achieve demonstrable improvements in patient outcomes by reducing adverse incidents, including specified measures to improve patient safety.

Initiate high-priority national patient safety and quality initiatives as produced by national organisations.

About Us

Diversity is what makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership

The post holder will be an influential senior healthcare leader working within the corporate team and a key stakeholder within Patient Safety.

Support the Trust to implement and deliver the requirements set out in NHS England’s Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and collaborate with relevant services to facilitate and embed learning from patient safety incidents.

Support the annual review of the Trust’s Patient Safety Incident Response Plan (PSIRP), in line with the requirements of PSIRF, and provide detailed analysis and triangulation of patient safety data from various IT systems (including Datix, SMART reports, Learning From Patient Safety Events (LFPSE), StEIS) for ongoing quality improvement projects that directly affect patient outcomes.

The Head of Patient Safety will support the strategic direction and agenda for Patient Safety in conjunction with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk, leading on Patient Safety programmes to reduce avoidable harm in line with the Trust Quality strategy.

Work with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk to implement the national patient safety strategy.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications & Training

• Registered Nurse/Midwife/AHP
• Degree in relevant qualification
• Patient Safety Specialist Training
• Teaching and Presentation qualification
• Human Factors Qualification

Experience

• Significant experience working within patient safety and/or clinical governance setting.
• Knowledge of PSIRF & governance at a corporate level
• Knowledge and experience of the national patient safety agenda and NHS England and CQC priorities
• Strong professional, management, and leadership skills
• Able to understand, critically assess, and interpret data
• Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options
• Ability to plan and organise own workload and that of others and work to deadlines
• Ability to act autonomously and make complex decisions
• Proven record of planning, leading, and implementing successful change projects
• Demonstrable experience of dealing with matters of a highly sensitive nature in a competent and aware manner
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and prioritise workload in a challenging and demanding environment
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing a team/department
• I.T. Literate including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, Internet, Outlook, Access (or equivalent)

Skills, Knowledge and Attributes

• An excellent understanding of current NHS national, regional, and local priorities
• An excellent understanding of compliance for incident investigation and analysis, audit
• Understanding of clinical quality inspection and accreditation systems
• Working knowledge and practical commitment to change processes
• Effective written, graphic, and oral communication skills, including report writing/detailed correspondence
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop other staff
• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapting to change, and manage multiple activities simultaneously
• Ability to formulate, plan, and deliver complex activities to deadlines
• Problem-solving, critical analysis, and decision-making skills
• Skilled in influencing and persuading others to deliver safety initiatives in the context of organisational operational goals and strategic objectives
• Political awareness – ability to perceive the impact of compliance requirements on the decisions and activities of others

Other Factors

• Self-reliant with a flexible working style and minimal need for support
• Personal resilience, able to cope well under pressure
• Visible leader at all organisational levels
• Exemplary standards of personal integrity and professional behaviour
• Resourceful with a ‘can do attitude’

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.

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