Directorate Support Officer

NHS; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a resourceful professional to support operational management and enhance patient access. Responsibilities include managing the Referral to Treatment framework and ensuring efficient patient care pathways. The ideal candidate possesses strong communication skills, relevant experience in an acute trust, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Opportunities for professional development are available.

Qualifications

• Experience working in an Acute Trust.
• Applying the Trust's Patient Access Policy and National 18 weeks targets.
• Flexibility in delivering the Directorate agenda.

Responsibilities

• Assist in operational management of resources.
• Support the management of the Referral to Treatment framework.
• Ensure patients' treatment pathways are expedited.

Skills

Excellent written and communication skills

Experience of RTT validation

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Operational management experience

Education

Good general education including GCSE English or equivalent

Diploma / degree in Management of health-related subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Careflow

Job description

Overview

Go back University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

The closing date is 23 October 2025

University Hospitals of North Midlands is currently unable to provide sponsorship this role. This is in accordance with UKVI guidelines and legislation, as these roles do not meet the skill nor salary threshold for sponsorship. If you hold a graduate visa, you are welcome to apply for this role however it is important to note that UHNM will be unable to offer sponsorship at the end of your graduate visa, you must also have at least six months until your graduate visa expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.

To deputise for the Operational Services Managers when necessary.

To work with other Directorates/Divisions to ensure the achievement of the Trust's and Divisional corporate objectives team. This also includes validation and management of the Referral to Treatment (RTT) framework. The post holder will ensure patients waiting for treatment on any elective care pathway (RTT, Cancer, and Diagnostics) are validated and their treatment pathways are expedited in line with service and patient expectations. They will ensure that all potential breaches of the target are escalated and managed appropriately by working closely with the Administrative Teams, Service Managers and Clinicians. You will look at processes to identify, investigate and determine data quality errors on the Electronic Patient Record (ESR) System and other systems working with the Directorate to implement sustainable solutions to resolve these issues.

Main duties of the job

• To assist the Directorate Management Senior Team, as directed by the Clinical Director, Directorate Manager and respective Clinical Lead in the efficient and effective operational management of resources within the Directorate / Service Line(s) in order to deliver continually improving high quality patient care within the resources available.
• Support the management of the Referral to Treatment (RTT) framework and act as the main administrative resource by supporting the corporate validation and pathway tracking process.
• The post holder will ensure that patients waiting for treatment on any elective care pathway (RTT, Cancer, and Diagnostics) are validated and their treatment pathways are expedited in line with service and patient expectations. They will ensure that all potential breaches of the target are escalated and managed appropriately by working closely with the administrative teams and Inter Provider Transfer Lead. They will work with service managers and clinicians to ensure patients are treated in a timely manner.
• To support the Operational Services Managers with patient access and the effective flow of patients through the respective services of the Directorate including, elective and non-elective inpatients, day cases, emergency portals and outpatient clinics, theatres or diagnostic activities.
• Provide necessary information for management to present at numerous forums

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. We serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. The Trust has around 1,450 inpatient beds across two sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford. Our 11,000 strong workforce provide emergency treatment, planned operations and medical care from Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford.

We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales. We have put together a wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our goal is to be a world-class centre of achievement, where patients receive the highest standards of care and the best people come to learn, work and research

Job responsibilities

To work flexibility in order to deliver the Directorate agenda and to offer support to other colleagues including cover in times of absence.

For more information on working for the Trust, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

For more details on the post, please contact Kellie Smith (see contact details)

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Good general education to include GCSE English or equivalent
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, access and Power-point
• Diploma / degree in Management of health related subjection

Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience

• Experience of working in an Acute Trust
• Experience of RTT validation
• Experience of working with and applying the Trust's Patient Access Policy and National 18 weeks targets
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Experience of careflow
• Some experience of operational management

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.

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust