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- Tasks: Coordinate patient admissions and discharges while managing crisis referrals in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in mental health services in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development opportunities, flexible shifts, and the chance to work with top experts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in mental health care while developing your skills in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths required; experience in bed flow management is a plus.
- Other info: Must be able to work various shift patterns and thrive under pressure.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Acute Referral Centre (ARC) operates 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. It is the Trust's central point of contact for crisis referrals. All referrals are triaged in ARC to ensure robust gatekeeping. This includes key functions such as the overall management of patient flow to acute beds, links with the Central Place of Safety (POS), and an imbedded 24hr Crisis Line. ARC works closely with borough-based Flow Teams, Assessment and Liaison services, inpatient wards, community treatment teams, acute trusts, Custody, Criminal Justice, Prisons, LAS, and NHS111.
The ARC provides telephone triaging, advice, and support for people in crisis while coordinating admissions and supporting discharges from hospital. The post holder will oversee the coordination of admissions between Emergency Departments, CMHTs, Custody, and medical wards to inpatient Acute areas. They will ensure that all relevant documentation is completed and data relating to admissions is recorded and collated. The post holder will be responsible for booking transport to facilitate transfers where required and organising out-of-area provision when authorised. An emphasis is placed on the post holder's ability to communicate in a professional manner.
Main duties of the job
- Check that all referrals are SLaM’s responsibility and if required liaise with the patient’s home trust and commissioner to ensure timely return to local area.
- Be the point of contact for other mental health providers and facilitate repatriation of patients that are SLaM’s responsibility.
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date bed position for the Trust which requires timely data entry on the system including the completion of patient movements and transfers.
- Support clinical inpatient teams to work with the new Acute Referral Centre by coaching them about the correct information that they need to enter on electronic patient records.
- Allocate Trust and Non-Trust beds in a timely manner using a system of prioritisation.
- Book transport to facilitate transfers and record as directed.
- Attend bed management meetings as required.
- Complete all required paperwork, including obtaining estimated fees, to inform decisions around the purchase of a private bed.
- Book private beds once authorised.
- Maintain accurate records.
Communication and Relationship Skills
- Communicate in a clear and respectful manner at all times.
- Communicate effectively with a range of individuals on complex matters.
- Receive and communicate complex information in various forms.
- Provide and receive routine information requiring tact or persuasive skills.
- Develop excellent working relationships with all Trust staff and staff at other NHS hospitals and private organisations.
- Work in partnership with Trust internal crisis services to support the integration of the Acute Referral Centre.
- Liaise with Home Treatment Team Discharge Practitioners and those involved with discharge in good time ahead of the expected date of discharge.
General
- Follow standard operating procedures for the effective management of patient flow.
- Monitor usage of private and out-of-area overspill, supporting the repatriation of these patients to Trust beds.
- Prioritise and organise workload on a shift-by-shift basis and ensure accurate handover of information.
- Have a high degree of self-awareness and resilience to work in a busy and pressured environment.
- Contribute to managing the workload of all the ARC team.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the Acute Referral Centre by recommending quality improvements.
- Support the development of new staff within the Acute Referral Centre.
Person specification
- An ability to work all shift patterns.
- Ability to work as part of a team and within a pressured environment.
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team.
- GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in English Language (A-C grade) and Mathematics (A-C Grade).
- Diploma level of education or equivalent experience.
- Experience of bed flow management/coordination.
- Awareness of community and inpatient care pathways.
- Understanding of mental health and social care assessments.
- Liaison and networking skills.
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
- IT skills including Word, Excel, and databases.
- Ability to assimilate complex and detailed information into reports for managers.
Patient Flow Coodinator employer: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Patient Flow Coodinator
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust's services and values. Understanding their approach to mental health care will help you align your responses during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of SLaM, especially those in similar roles. They can provide insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be invaluable when preparing for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant experience in crisis management or patient flow coordination during your conversations. Be prepared to discuss specific examples that showcase your ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your communication skills by practising how you would explain complex information clearly and respectfully. This is crucial for the Patient Flow Coordinator role, as you'll need to liaise with various stakeholders.
We think you need these skills to ace Patient Flow Coodinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in patient flow management and coordination. Emphasise any roles where you worked in a multi-disciplinary team or managed complex information.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your understanding of the role's responsibilities, particularly around communication and relationship skills. Mention specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to handle crisis situations effectively.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, especially your GCSEs in English and Mathematics, as well as any diplomas or equivalent experiences. This will show that you meet the educational requirements for the position.
Showcase IT Skills: Since the role requires proficiency in IT, make sure to mention your experience with Word, Excel, and databases. Provide examples of how you've used these tools in previous roles to manage data or improve processes.
How to prepare for a job interview at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Patient Flow Coordinator. Familiarise yourself with the key functions of the Acute Referral Centre and how it interacts with various teams. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent communication skills, prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex information in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you would handle sensitive situations with patients and other healthcare professionals.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Experience
The job involves working within a multi-disciplinary team, so be prepared to share specific examples of your experience in collaborative environments. Highlight any instances where you contributed to team success or helped resolve conflicts.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills under pressure. Think about past experiences where you had to prioritise tasks or manage patient flow, and be ready to explain your thought process.
