IFR Senior Officer in Wolverhampton

Job summary

Join our Individual Funding Request (IFR) & Prior Approvals Team as an IFR Senior Officer, covering maternity leave on a fixed-term contract until May 2027.

Support fair access to healthcare across the ICB by managing IFRs (a statutory responsibility) and Prior Approvals (a contractual responsibility), in line with commissioning policies and contractual requirements.

Apply policies, procedures and clinical criteria, manage complex cases and deliver timely outcomes. Work with clinicians, providers and commissioning colleagues to support robust, evidence-based, compliant decisions, reduce challenge risk and use NHS resources effectively.

Support the IFR Senior Specialist and Lead Nurse for IFR & Clinical Policy to deliver and develop the service.

What we're looking for:

Strong case management and administration experience.

Analytical and decision-making skills.

Ability to apply policies and clinical criteria.

Strong communication and stakeholder management.

Commitment to quality, patient-centred services.

Why join us?

Make a difference to patient care.

Build expertise in IFRs, Prior Approvals and clinical policy.

Work with experienced commissioning and clinical colleagues.

Gain experience in a supportive NHS environment.

A challenging, rewarding role for a motivated, organised person who enjoys detailed casework and evidence-based decisions.

Main duties of the job

The seven-person IFR & Prior Approvals Team supports Black Country and Birmingham & Solihull ICBs. We seek an organised, motivated individual to manage competing priorities, solve problems and adapt to changing demands.

The IFR Senior Officer receives, validates and processes treatment requests, reviews clinical information and Summary Care Records, maintains accurate Blueteq records, assesses Prior Approvals against commissioned policy criteria and communicates decisions to clinicians and GPs.

You will support IFR Screening, Full IFR and Prior Approval Panels, co-ordinate clinical advice, manage patient, provider and stakeholder enquiries, and contribute to complaints, challenges, FOI requests, audits and reporting. You may also support high-cost treatment validation and assurance.

You will need strong organisational, analytical and communication skills to interpret complex information, maintain audit trails and produce clear correspondence and reports. Accuracy, attention to detail and Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel, are essential. Knowledge of Blueteq, NHS systems and Summary Care Records is desirable; training is provided.

We seek someone professional, adaptable, trustworthy, compassionate and respectful, who remains calm and effective under pressure.

About us

Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) brings together the NHS, local councils and voluntary sector partners to support 2.7 million people. Our vision is to make the area the healthiest place to live and work by improving life chances and reducing inequalities.

As an employee, you will demonstrate our system values, champion inclusion and help address health inequalities so everyone can thrive. In return, the ICB offers a supportive, ambitious and inclusive workplace, with opportunities to develop and work with partners to deliver meaningful change.

The ICB is committed to a workforce that reflects the population of Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from everyone who meets the role criteria, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

The ICB is a registered Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and will shortlist suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria.

This vacancy is open only to employees of BBCS ICB. Successful internal applicants will remain employed by their current ICB and their work base will remain unchanged