Job summary
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is the central point of contact for patients, carers and visitors. It provides on-the-spot information and advice and facilitates the resolution of informal concerns that are raised via the PALS Office in a variety of means, including telephone, face-to-face, webform, email and letter.
The post holder will provide an efficient and effective service in addressing concerns as well as directly providing information/signposting to other services and early resolution of non-complex concerns. The post holder will act as the first point of contact for patients/carers/visitors and staff communicating with the PALS Department. The successful candidate will be a person who enjoys the challenge of resolving concerns whilst working with patients and families in this fast-paced role.
Main duties of the job
The PALS Officer is an essential role in providing an accessible and confidential service to patients, carers and their families, to support the resolution of informal concerns.
The role demands a high level of effective and compassionate communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal, to work with members of the public, external bodies and a wide range of staff across the organisation. You will be able to demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, adaptable and flexible to pressures, and be able to use your own initiative.
As part of the role you will be expected to engage with services across the Trust and manage enquiries from members of the public in a timely and efficient manner, acting as a facilitator and mediator, and utilising written and verbal communication and negotiation skills to support the effective provision of the Trust's PALS and Complaints function.
You will need to have experience of liaising directly with members of the public over the telephone and in person, and will support our vision of providing an accessible service to all users.
About us
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.
We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:
1. Safety
2. Care
3. Respect
4. Communication
5. Learning
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+& Disabled people.
Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
6. Good standard of education including good written and verbal English and (GCSE pass or equivalent)
Desirable
7. Evidence of customer service training or qualification
8. European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent IT qualification or experience
Experience
Essential
9. Customer service experience including directly liaising and supporting a range of people from different background
10. Proficient use of Microsoft Word, MS Excel, MS Power-point & Email system
11. Experience of liaising with external stakeholders and partner organisations
12. Experience of dealing with challenging or upset people or experience or responding to complaints and concerns
13. Administration experience including the writing of reports, letters and the administration and management of meetings
14. Previous experience of working in a corporate Office environment
Desirable
15. NHS or equivalent health and social care experience
16. Experience of using patient safety management systems including Ulysses, Datix or other risk management systems
Knowledge
Essential
17. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
18. Able to organise and prioritise work
19. Ability to work as part of a team
20. Be able to use own initiative and good organisational skills
21. Knowledge of confidentiality procedures pertaining to Data Protection Act
22. Ability to work to deadlines
Desirable
23. Awareness and understanding of NHS Trust administrative structures