Bed Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Bradley Stoke; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Bed Manager to support bed allocation across mental health and learning disability inpatient services. You will find suitable placements, manage delayed transfers of care, and plan complex admissions and discharges with independent clinical decision-making.

The role involves 12-hour shifts across a seven-day service and requires registration as RMN, RNLD or allied health professional with mental health experience.

Qualifications

• Understanding of Mental Health Legislation.
• Familiar with clinical and operational NHS processes.

Responsibilities

• Support the Bed Management Lead in allocating beds across MH and LD inpatient services.
• Make key clinical decisions when working independently.
• Find the most appropriate placement for each patient.
• Manage and accurately record Delayed Transfer of Care.
• Maintain single sex accommodation standards and define breaches.
• Ensure patient experience aligns with Trust values.
• Liaise with senior management and social care to seek authorisation for placements and beds.
• Provide expert advice on complex admission and discharge planning.
• Ensure patients are discharged when medically fit with minimal delay.
• Anticipate demand on hospital resources and coordinate bed management.
• Develop work protocols and propose service changes.
• Undertake designated project work as required.

Skills

Mental health legislation

NHS processes

Education

Degree or equivalent in relevant field

Job description

Bed Manager post at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, supporting the Bed Management Lead to allocate beds across mental health and learning disability inpatient services. The work centres on finding suitable placements, managing delayed transfers of care and planning complex admissions and discharges, with the postholder making key clinical decisions independently. Shifts are 12 hours across a seven-day service and cover all MH and LD inpatient settings in the Trust. Fit depends on being a registered RMN, RNLD or allied health professional with clinical mental health experience.

What the job involves

• Support the Bed Management Lead in allocating beds across MH and LD inpatient services, managing day-to-day bed use in line with Trust procedure and national guidance
• Make key clinical decisions when working independently
• Find the most appropriate placement for each patient
• Manage and accurately record Delayed Transfer of Care
• Maintain single sex accommodation standards, defining when a breach is required
• Ensure patient experience is high and in line with Trust values
• Liaise with senior management, Adult Social Care and ICBs to seek authorisation for OOA placements, Complex PoC, NHSE commissioned beds and secure patient transport
• Give expert specialist advice on complex admission and discharge planning across all inpatient units, overseeing discharge practice
• Ensure patients are discharged when medically fit with minimal delay
• Anticipate demand on hospital resources and co-ordinate bed management accordingly
• Develop protocols for own work and propose policy or service changes in own area
• Undertake designated project work as required

What’s required

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience, training or knowledge relevant to the position

Registration & licences

• Registered professional: RMN or RNLD (NMC), or allied health professional registration

Experience

• Extensive clinical experience in a mental health service
• Experience managing conflicting priorities and high-stress situations
• Significant experience using management information in a clinical environment

Skills & knowledge

• Understanding of Mental Health Legislation
• Understanding of clinical and operational processes within the NHS, public sector or health setting

Nice to have

• Evidence of continuing professional development