Head of Patient Safety inReading inReading PUBLISHED 22 OCT 2024

Band 8a: £53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum  PERMANENT 
Deputise for the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Patient Safety Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

As Head of Patient Safety you will provide support to the Associate Director of Nursing in leading the response to patient safety, implementing PSIRF and overseeing both the patient safety and tissue viability teams.

The successful candidate will lead on a broad range of patient safety and clinical governance activities, in liaison with other key professionals within Trust.

We are looking for an authentic, senior clinical leader with drive and enthusiasm with a proven background in patient safety/ clinical governance. For further information please contact Nunu Moyo, Associate Director of Nursing for Safety and Risk at

Head of Patient Safety will have a central role within the Patient Safety Team holding a portfolio of responsibility for patient safety and tissue viability.

Head of Patient Safety will provide support for strategic direction for the Trusts' patient safety agenda, providing expert advice and guidance throughout the Trust. The post holder will lead and deliver on a range of patient safety & quality projects and contributing to the wider Trust Quality Strategy and compliance with the Care Quality Commissions standards.

In discussion with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk, lead the development and implementation of focused safety improvement programmes in order to demonstrably improve patient outcomes including the implementation of PSIRF.

Deputise for the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk

The post holder will be required to have regular contact internal and external stakeholders and will often need to engage with them over sensitive, complex, contentious and confidential issues.

Work with Trust staff and provide tailored improvement support for them in order to achieve demonstrable improvements in patient outcomes by reducing adverse incidents including specified measures to improve patient safety.

Initiating high priority national patient safety and quality initiatives such as those produced by national organisations

About us


KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

The post holder will be an influential senior healthcare leader working within the corporate team and a key stakeholder within Patient Safety.

Support the Trust to implement and deliver the requirements set out in NHS England's Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and collaborate with relevant services to facilitate and embed learning from patient safety incidents.

Support annual review of the Trust's Patient Safety Incident Response Plan (PSIRP), in line with the requirements of PSIRF, provide detailed analysis and triangulation of patient safety data from a range of IT systems (including, Datix, SMART reports, Learning From Patient Safety Events (LFPSE), StEIS) for ongoing quality improvement projects that directly affect patient outcomes.

The Head of Patient Safety will support the strategic direction and agenda for Patient Safety in conjunction with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk, leading on Patient Safety programmes to reduce avoidable harm in line with the Trust Quality strategy.

To work with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk to implement the national patient safety strategy.

To promote and support the adoption of a just culture within the organisation

To manage arrangements, provide the agenda and papers for the Trust Patient Safety Group

To identify and develop Trust patient safety priorities and develop implementation plans supporting the patient safety incident response plan and quality improvement programme

To have oversight of the patient safety measures.

To undertake deep dives and thematic reviews on patient safety topics

To lead and participate in working groups to improve safety

To support the implementation of the national patient safety syllabus

To organise and participate in Trust-wide safety events such as world patient safety day

To manage the arrangements for Trust Board of Directors Safety Walkrounds: support the patient safety officer to coordinate the visits with the executive personal assistants and clinical areas, developing the visit calendar six month ahead of time. This also includes working with the health and safety team to ensure health and safety walkrounds are performed as part of the programme

To support the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk including the development and implementation of strategies for improving patient safety, reducing avoidable harm and developing a positive safety culture.

Contribute to the Patient Safety Committee & Falls Steering Committee.

Lead and manage the Patient Safety data collection.

To be responsible for providing assurance and leading on compliance for the Care Quality Commission Safety Domain.

Provide leadership and management to the Tissue Viability Specialist Nurses and Patient Safety Leads.

Act as a role model; be highly visible and accessible to clinical teams.

Clinical and Professional Duties

Support the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk to agree the annual programme of Trust-wide patient safety priorities and a programme and framework for its delivery including the development and monitoring of patient safety metrics and indicators.

Lead the investigation of incidents and patient safety concerns, providing advice and reporting to the Board and management team where appropriate.

To develop positive and influential relationships with key external stakeholders through collaborative working, providing assurance and engaging with the local commissioners.

To be responsible through detailed analysis of data and information for identifying trends, themes and harm rates within patient safety and implementing work streams to improve clinical practice.

Able to manage own workload and make informed decisions on patient safety issues.

Work creatively, with autonomy and as a member of a team with both Trust colleagues and others outside such as Integrated Care Boards, CQC and NHS England to deliver the Patient Safety Agenda.

Be responsible for making a judgement regarding highly complex conflicting expert opinion.

To initial and coordinate the development and implementation of policies and procedures in areas of weakness highlighted by incident reporting and those pertaining to patient safety and risk management.

Anticipate and interpret national and local policy for the Trust and lead implementation where required.

Accountable for producing/contributing regular reports to the Patient Safety Committee, the Quality Governance Committee

Provide general information and expert advice regarding risk management issues in order to maintain and develop safe risk management systems within the Trust.

Represent the Trust at external meetings as appropriate



Education and Research



Organise and develop education programmes for quality for nursing staff, and other relevant professional groups

Ensure teams compliance with mandatory training and appraisal process.

Lead on patient safety & human factors educational programmes across the Trust.

Ensure and maintain close links with the Practice Educators in relation to changes in practice audit requirements identified from incident reporting, complaints and litigation and for CQC requirements

Review of this job description

The job description is not exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the principal duties and responsibilities of the post. It will be subject to periodic review in association with the post holder.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The post is subject to the policies, practices, procedures and conditions of service determined by the Trust.

Medical Questionnaire

The appointment is subject to the completion of a satisfactory medical questionnaire which may involve a medical examination. You may also be required to undergo medical examinations in the future and/or at intervals stipulated by the Trust.

Equality of Opportunity and Diversity

The Trust operates an Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy and welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness, marital or parental status or disability. It aims to ensure that no job applicant, employee or former employee suffers direct unlawful or unfair discrimination, or is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.

Confidentiality

The post holder has a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Code of Practice on Confidentiality and Data Protection. Any matters of a confidential nature, including information relating to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, individual staff records and details of contract prices and terms, must under no circumstances be divulged to any unauthorised person or persons. Breaches of confidence will result in disciplinary action which may result in dismissal. Regardless of any disciplinary action taken, a breach of confidence may also result in a civil action for damages.

Information Security

You are expected to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, whether in computerised or manual systems or storage. Trust policies and statutory regulations should be adhered to.

Health and Safety at Work Act

The post holder is required to take responsible care for the health and safety of him/herself and other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work. The post holder is also required to co-operate with the Trust to ensure that statutory and departmental safety regulations are adhered to.

Fire

The post holder is required to comply with agreed fire procedures, taking the appropriate action if the fire alarm sounds, and to attend relevant training programmes as required.

Control of Infection

The Trust has designated the prevention and control of infection and the full implementation of the Health Act (2006) as a core component in the organisation's clinical governance, managing risk and patient safety programmes. In consequence, all employees are expected to:-

i) Follow consistently high standards of infection control practice, especially with reference to hand decontamination, adherence to dress/ uniform code, and for clinical staff, aseptic technique

ii) Be aware of and follow all Trust infection control guidelines and procedures relevant to their work.

iii) Participate in mandatory training and annual updates

Smoking

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has a Smoke Free policy. Smoking is not permitted in any of the Trusts properties or in Trust grounds.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Patient Safety Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

As Head of Patient Safety you will provide support to the Associate Director of Nursing in leading the response to patient safety, implementing PSIRF and overseeing both the patient safety and tissue viability teams.

The successful candidate will lead on a broad range of patient safety and clinical governance activities, in liaison with other key professionals within Trust.

We are looking for an authentic, senior clinical leader with drive and enthusiasm with a proven background in patient safety/ clinical governance. For further information please contact Nunu Moyo, Associate Director of Nursing for Safety and Risk at

Head of Patient Safety will have a central role within the Patient Safety Team holding a portfolio of responsibility for patient safety and tissue viability.

Head of Patient Safety will provide support for strategic direction for the Trusts' patient safety agenda, providing expert advice and guidance throughout the Trust. The post holder will lead and deliver on a range of patient safety & quality projects and contributing to the wider Trust Quality Strategy and compliance with the Care Quality Commissions standards.

In discussion with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk, lead the development and implementation of focused safety improvement programmes in order to demonstrably improve patient outcomes including the implementation of PSIRF.

Deputise for the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk

The post holder will be required to have regular contact internal and external stakeholders and will often need to engage with them over sensitive, complex, contentious and confidential issues.

Work with Trust staff and provide tailored improvement support for them in order to achieve demonstrable improvements in patient outcomes by reducing adverse incidents including specified measures to improve patient safety.

Initiating high priority national patient safety and quality initiatives such as those produced by national organisations

About us


KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

The post holder will be an influential senior healthcare leader working within the corporate team and a key stakeholder within Patient Safety.

Support the Trust to implement and deliver the requirements set out in NHS England's Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) and collaborate with relevant services to facilitate and embed learning from patient safety incidents.

Support annual review of the Trust's Patient Safety Incident Response Plan (PSIRP), in line with the requirements of PSIRF, provide detailed analysis and triangulation of patient safety data from a range of IT systems (including, Datix, SMART reports, Learning From Patient Safety Events (LFPSE), StEIS) for ongoing quality improvement projects that directly affect patient outcomes.

The Head of Patient Safety will support the strategic direction and agenda for Patient Safety in conjunction with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk, leading on Patient Safety programmes to reduce avoidable harm in line with the Trust Quality strategy.

To work with the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk to implement the national patient safety strategy.

To promote and support the adoption of a just culture within the organisation

To manage arrangements, provide the agenda and papers for the Trust Patient Safety Group

To identify and develop Trust patient safety priorities and develop implementation plans supporting the patient safety incident response plan and quality improvement programme

To have oversight of the patient safety measures.

To undertake deep dives and thematic reviews on patient safety topics

To lead and participate in working groups to improve safety

To support the implementation of the national patient safety syllabus

To organise and participate in Trust-wide safety events such as world patient safety day

To manage the arrangements for Trust Board of Directors Safety Walkrounds: support the patient safety officer to coordinate the visits with the executive personal assistants and clinical areas, developing the visit calendar six month ahead of time. This also includes working with the health and safety team to ensure health and safety walkrounds are performed as part of the programme

To support the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk including the development and implementation of strategies for improving patient safety, reducing avoidable harm and developing a positive safety culture.

Contribute to the Patient Safety Committee & Falls Steering Committee.

Lead and manage the Patient Safety data collection.

To be responsible for providing assurance and leading on compliance for the Care Quality Commission Safety Domain.

Provide leadership and management to the Tissue Viability Specialist Nurses and Patient Safety Leads.

Act as a role model; be highly visible and accessible to clinical teams.

Clinical and Professional Duties

Support the Associate Director of Nursing for Safety & Risk to agree the annual programme of Trust-wide patient safety priorities and a programme and framework for its delivery including the development and monitoring of patient safety metrics and indicators.

Lead the investigation of incidents and patient safety concerns, providing advice and reporting to the Board and management team where appropriate.

To develop positive and influential relationships with key external stakeholders through collaborative working, providing assurance and engaging with the local commissioners.

To be responsible through detailed analysis of data and information for identifying trends, themes and harm rates within patient safety and implementing work streams to improve clinical practice.

Able to manage own workload and make informed decisions on patient safety issues.

Work creatively, with autonomy and as a member of a team with both Trust colleagues and others outside such as Integrated Care Boards, CQC and NHS England to deliver the Patient Safety Agenda.

Be responsible for making a judgement regarding highly complex conflicting expert opinion.

To initial and coordinate the development and implementation of policies and procedures in areas of weakness highlighted by incident reporting and those pertaining to patient safety and risk management.

Anticipate and interpret national and local policy for the Trust and lead implementation where required.

Accountable for producing/contributing regular reports to the Patient Safety Committee, the Quality Governance Committee

Provide general information and expert advice regarding risk management issues in order to maintain and develop safe risk management systems within the Trust.

Represent the Trust at external meetings as appropriate



Education and Research



Organise and develop education programmes for quality for nursing staff, and other relevant professional groups

Ensure teams compliance with mandatory training and appraisal process.

Lead on patient safety & human factors educational programmes across the Trust.

Ensure and maintain close links with the Practice Educators in relation to changes in practice audit requirements identified from incident reporting, complaints and litigation and for CQC requirements

Review of this job description

The job description is not exhaustive but is intended as a guide to the principal duties and responsibilities of the post. It will be subject to periodic review in association with the post holder.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The post is subject to the policies, practices, procedures and conditions of service determined by the Trust.

Medical Questionnaire

The appointment is subject to the completion of a satisfactory medical questionnaire which may involve a medical examination. You may also be required to undergo medical examinations in the future and/or at intervals stipulated by the Trust.

Equality of Opportunity and Diversity

The Trust operates an Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy and welcomes all persons without regard to age, ethnic or national origin, gender or sexual orientation, religion, lifestyle, presenting illness, marital or parental status or disability. It aims to ensure that no job applicant, employee or former employee suffers direct unlawful or unfair discrimination, or is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be justified.

Confidentiality

The post holder has a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Code of Practice on Confidentiality and Data Protection. Any matters of a confidential nature, including information relating to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, individual staff records and details of contract prices and terms, must under no circumstances be divulged to any unauthorised person or persons. Breaches of confidence will result in disciplinary action which may result in dismissal. Regardless of any disciplinary action taken, a breach of confidence may also result in a civil action for damages.

Information Security

You are expected to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data, whether in computerised or manual systems or storage. Trust policies and statutory regulations should be adhered to.

Health and Safety at Work Act

The post holder is required to take responsible care for the health and safety of him/herself and other persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work. The post holder is also required to co-operate with the Trust to ensure that statutory and departmental safety regulations are adhered to.

Fire

The post holder is required to comply with agreed fire procedures, taking the appropriate action if the fire alarm sounds, and to attend relevant training programmes as required.

Control of Infection

The Trust has designated the prevention and control of infection and the full implementation of the Health Act (2006) as a core component in the organisation's clinical governance, managing risk and patient safety programmes. In consequence, all employees are expected to:-

i) Follow consistently high standards of infection control practice, especially with reference to hand decontamination, adherence to dress/ uniform code, and for clinical staff, aseptic technique

ii) Be aware of and follow all Trust infection control guidelines and procedures relevant to their work.

iii) Participate in mandatory training and annual updates

Smoking

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has a Smoke Free policy. Smoking is not permitted in any of the Trusts properties or in Trust grounds.



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