At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate patient flow and support ambulance crews in a dynamic operations environment.
- Company: Join the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to patient care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holiday, career progression, and flexible shifts.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in emergency services.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in Maths and English, experience in emergency services or call centres preferred.
The predicted salary is between 28392 - 31157 £ per year.
Are you a keen problem solver with an eye for detail? Then you could be the perfect fit for our Patient Flow Coordinator (PFC) role! Join our small, friendly team in the Operations Delivery Centre (ODC), where you'll benefit from 24/7 support from a dedicated leadership team. This newly refreshed role now offers more variety than ever before! No two shifts are the same -- one moment you might be supporting a crew with a breakdown, and the next, you could be stepping in as a virtual HALO and running a patient cohort. Every action you take is critical in keeping our ambulance crews mobile and caring for the patients of the southwest.
Working as a PFC means joining a dynamic and evolving environment. Joining the ODC team offers opportunities to experience our other key functions such as HEMS, Community Volunteers Dispatch, Command Dispatch and Physical HALO support. Our newly designed rotas offer four shifts on duty followed by four rest days. We have rota options with minimal nights and an option with minimal days. We also welcome applicants who would like part-time hours (in line with the needs of the business).
Interested? We welcome pre-application discussions! Arrange one and get a feel for the role first-hand. Email: Nick.metcalfe@swast.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
The Patient Flow Coordinator plays a vital role in the Operations Delivery Centre, requiring prior experience in emergency services (or equivalent), ideally within a control room (or call centre) environment. The primary responsibility is to optimise the flow of operational ambulance resources by analysing data from the Hospital Handover and Fleet Barriers Dashboards along with other performance metrics, while maintaining accurate handover data quality. Key duties include real-time communication with ambulance crews via radio and telephone, interpreting the Resource Availability Dashboard, and working collaboratively to remove barriers to patient care. The role supports the principle that no patient should wait unnecessarily for an ambulance and contributes to efficient hospital handovers and movement of our fleet of ambulances. Reporting to the Service Delivery Officer, the coordinator works closely with HALOs, Operations Officers, Community Response Coordinators, and EOC staff and many of our partner agencies.
About us
Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day. We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core. At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers. If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, we would love to hear from you. In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role. You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.
Job responsibilities
A standard working week of 37.5 hours. Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years. Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working. Career and salary progression. Car leasing scheme. Free parking across Trust sites. Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes. Staff networks. Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK.
For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification. Alternative formats of our vacancies are available upon request to HRServices@swast.nhs.uk. Accessibility statement available upon request.
Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship
This role does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. You must have the existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this position. For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
Person Specification
- Minimum of 4 GCSE's or equivalent at grade C / 5 or above including Math's and English.
- Level 4 qualification particularly in healthcare, science, data analysis or another relevant subject or equivalent.
- Trained in Op Titan.
- Previous leadership experience.
- Previous mentoring experience.
- Experienced Dispatcher or EMD.
- Previous experience (Paid/Unpaid relevant to job).
- Demonstrable experience gained in a call centre environment.
- Experience working in a high paced environment.
- Able to master new IT systems.
- Experience in the EOC / ODC environment (or equivalent).
- Demonstrable experience gained within an emergency service, particularly within an EOC environment.
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.
Patient Flow Coordinator in Devon employer: SWAST
At South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the well-being and development of our staff. Our Patient Flow Coordinator role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth, flexible shift patterns, and a supportive leadership team that values teamwork and innovation. With generous holiday entitlements, career progression pathways, and a commitment to providing the best possible care, joining our team means making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients across the southwest.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Patient Flow Coordinator in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before applying, reach out for a chat with someone in the Operations Delivery Centre. It’s a great way to understand the role better and show your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in high-pressure situations. This will highlight your fit for the dynamic environment of the PFC role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your communication skills. As a Patient Flow Coordinator, you'll need to interact with various teams. Practice clear and concise explanations of your past experiences to impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our amazing team at South Western Ambulance Service.
We think you need these skills to ace Patient Flow Coordinator in Devon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, highlight any experiences where you've tackled challenges head-on. We want to see how you approach problem-solving, especially in high-pressure situations like those in emergency services.
Be Detail-Oriented:Since the role requires a keen eye for detail, make sure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate clarity and precision, so take the time to proofread your documents before hitting send!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Patient Flow Coordinator role. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background to our needs.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role you’re excited about!
How to prepare for a job interview at SWAST
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Patient Flow Coordinator role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as optimising ambulance resource flow and real-time communication with crews. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
As a PFC, you'll need to be a keen problem solver. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully tackled challenges, especially in high-pressure environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your ability to think on your feet.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Metrics
Understanding the Hospital Handover and Fleet Barriers Dashboards is crucial for this role. Brush up on any relevant data analysis skills and be ready to discuss how you would use these metrics to improve patient care. This shows that you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
