Job summary An exciting opportunity to join the Operational Management team within the Division of Medicine at Walsall Healthcare Trust. The post of Care Group Manager is a crucial leadership role within the Trust. The Care Group Manager providers operational leadership to the Care Group, with the support of Director of Operations, Divisional Director, Clinical Directors, and Matrons. The post-holder will both be accountable for services within their Care Group and play an active role in Divisional decision-making. Candidates will need to show professional leadership, strategic knowledge and experience; they will need to foster a culture which values continuing professional development and strives for excellence in the delivery of patient care. They must actively lead by example, in line with the Trust's values of Respect, Compassion, Professionalism and Teamwork, and must be able to demonstrate real ambition for the services, staff and people of Walsall. Main duties of the job The Care Group Manager for Division of Medicine will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management. The post holder will assist the Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Operations, Divisional Director, Clinical Director and Divisional Director of Nursing and Matrons in ensuring that the Care Group & Division delivers its financial, activity, patient experience and clinical & quality targets. About us The Trust has recently opened a state-of-the-art new Critical Care Unit, Emergency Department and completed ward refurbishments. The Trust has made significant investment in the divisions services. The Trust has formed a strategic group partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and enjoys a shared Chair, Chief Executive Officer and other senior leadership roles. The Trust is committed to working in partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and other organisations in the Black Country Integrated Care System to collaborate for the benefit of the patients that we serve, and for our staff. Date posted 07 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8a Salary £53,755 to £60,504 a year Band 8a Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 407-MLTC-6969679 Job locations Manor Hosppital Moat Road Walsall WS2 9PS Job description Job responsibilities Operational planning and scheduling - the post holder will :- Ensure processes are in place to meet quality standards and indicators Be responsible for safe and effective delivery of clinical services within the Care Group Ensure systems are in place to provide relevant information to improve clinical pathways. Work closely in partnership with Adult Community Services, GPs and social care to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care in the most appropriate care setting Be responsible for development of specialty service plans that are consistent with the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust. Undertake with the Divisional Director of Operations to develop and implement business & strategic plans Be responsible with Clinical Director for capacity planning and negotiation/ successful delivery of the Care Groups performance standards. Ensure business cases are produced for service developments taking account of: activity; income projections; appropriate service models Support the Clinical Director in making decisions on medical cover for the Care Group Be responsible for developing and leading Improvement Programmes within the Care Group and also across the Division as required Deputise for Divisional Director of Operations as required. Be responsible for the development and implementation of service/Divisional policies. Be accountable for ensuring patient flows are appropriate and in collaboration with site management that capacity is maximised safely and effectively. Establish and monitor the agreed range of professional standards and performance targets for supporting departments and clinical specialities Provide management support to the wards within the Care Group and assist them in improving patient flow through effective ward processes Elective Access The post holder will Be the lead for Elective Access within the Division Coordinate the Care Group and Support Managers in the delivery of their elective access services & requirement. Ensure that each specialty undertakes regular capacity & demand analysis using accredited tools Coordinate within the Division, the management of RTT, cancer waits, diagnostic waits, waiting list management and validation Represent the Division at the multi-agency Elective Access Performance Group (EAPG) Support the development and implementation within the Division of developments such as the electronic referral system and partial booking Work to improve the utilisation of elective access sessions. Management of staff - The post holder will: Provide direct line management to the Care Groups personnel (other than nursing and medical staff) Work with the Divisional Director of Operations and other Care Group Managers to develop a work force plan for the Division consistent with the Trusts overall Work Force Plan. Ensure all staff in the Division are managed in accordance with Trust HR policies and procedures including recruitment and selection, performance management, appraisal and personal development. Maintain a culture that engages and involves staff in decisions on how services are provided and how quality and access targets are delivered. Undertake appraisals effectively and in a timely manner, ensuring the employee has a personal development plan and any training needs identified. Engage with patients and carers, ensuring the services provided are of a high quality and has the patient at the center of its design and delivery. Performance management The post holder will: Be accountable to the Clinical Director and Care Group matron, for the Care Groups performance against plan. Be responsible for ensuring that the Trusts objectives and core deliverables, dependent upon this service, are delivered. This will require the implementation/maintenance of a performance management system aligned to the Trusts Performance Management Framework to ensure that all staff are aware of their role in the delivery of the Trusts objectives and core deliverables. Work in conjunction with the Divisional Director of Operations to introduce systems that ensure collection & analysis of data for continuous performance measurement of services across the Division. Highlight and report any areas of over / under performance and take corrective action as appropriate. Be responsible for dealing with complaints from patients and other users of the services of the Care Group ensuring appropriate action is taken. Instigate and use audit to monitor and improve services Work with the Clinical Director and Care Group matron to ensure rotas and on call arrangements are in place to manage the Care group services 24 hours a day/365 day a year. Work with the Care Group and Divisional management teams to ensure that governance arrangements are upheld and that a focus on quality is maintained. Implement robust systems of governance and assurance which are widely understood across area of responsibility to include: emergency preparedness, safety, effectiveness, patient experience, diversity, infection prevention, and control and health and safety, safeguarding and others as determined by the Trust. Implement monitoring arrangements to provide assurance to the Division with all relevant regulations and governance arrangements. further information around leadership and financial management can be found on the Job Description. Job description Job responsibilities Operational planning and scheduling - the post holder will :- Ensure processes are in place to meet quality standards and indicators Be responsible for safe and effective delivery of clinical services within the Care Group Ensure systems are in place to provide relevant information to improve clinical pathways. Work closely in partnership with Adult Community Services, GPs and social care to ensure patients receive the most appropriate care in the most appropriate care setting Be responsible for development of specialty service plans that are consistent with the strategic aims and objectives of the Trust. Undertake with the Divisional Director of Operations to develop and implement business & strategic plans Be responsible with Clinical Director for capacity planning and negotiation/ successful delivery of the Care Groups performance standards. Ensure business cases are produced for service developments taking account of: activity; income projections; appropriate service models Support the Clinical Director in making decisions on medical cover for the Care Group Be responsible for developing and leading Improvement Programmes within the Care Group and also across the Division as required Deputise for Divisional Director of Operations as required. Be responsible for the development and implementation of service/Divisional policies. Be accountable for ensuring patient flows are appropriate and in collaboration with site management that capacity is maximised safely and effectively. Establish and monitor the agreed range of professional standards and performance targets for supporting departments and clinical specialities Provide management support to the wards within the Care Group and assist them in improving patient flow through effective ward processes Elective Access The post holder will Be the lead for Elective Access within the Division Coordinate the Care Group and Support Managers in the delivery of their elective access services & requirement. Ensure that each specialty undertakes regular capacity & demand analysis using accredited tools Coordinate within the Division, the management of RTT, cancer waits, diagnostic waits, waiting list management and validation Represent the Division at the multi-agency Elective Access Performance Group (EAPG) Support the development and implementation within the Division of developments such as the electronic referral system and partial booking Work to improve the utilisation of elective access sessions. Management of staff - The post holder will: Provide direct line management to the Care Groups personnel (other than nursing and medical staff) Work with the Divisional Director of Operations and other Care Group Managers to develop a work force plan for the Division consistent with the Trusts overall Work Force Plan. Ensure all staff in the Division are managed in accordance with Trust HR policies and procedures including recruitment and selection, performance management, appraisal and personal development. Maintain a culture that engages and involves staff in decisions on how services are provided and how quality and access targets are delivered. Undertake appraisals effectively and in a timely manner, ensuring the employee has a personal development plan and any training needs identified. Engage with patients and carers, ensuring the services provided are of a high quality and has the patient at the center of its design and delivery. Performance management The post holder will: Be accountable to the Clinical Director and Care Group matron, for the Care Groups performance against plan. Be responsible for ensuring that the Trusts objectives and core deliverables, dependent upon this service, are delivered. This will require the implementation/maintenance of a performance management system aligned to the Trusts Performance Management Framework to ensure that all staff are aware of their role in the delivery of the Trusts objectives and core deliverables. Work in conjunction with the Divisional Director of Operations to introduce systems that ensure collection & analysis of data for continuous performance measurement of services across the Division. Highlight and report any areas of over / under performance and take corrective action as appropriate. Be responsible for dealing with complaints from patients and other users of the services of the Care Group ensuring appropriate action is taken. Instigate and use audit to monitor and improve services Work with the Clinical Director and Care Group matron to ensure rotas and on call arrangements are in place to manage the Care group services 24 hours a day/365 day a year. Work with the Care Group and Divisional management teams to ensure that governance arrangements are upheld and that a focus on quality is maintained. Implement robust systems of governance and assurance which are widely understood across area of responsibility to include: emergency preparedness, safety, effectiveness, patient experience, diversity, infection prevention, and control and health and safety, safeguarding and others as determined by the Trust. Implement monitoring arrangements to provide assurance to the Division with all relevant regulations and governance arrangements. further information around leadership and financial management can be found on the Job Description. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Formal education to first degree level or equivalent ability or working towards or experience at NHS operational management, including senior level experience or equivalent management experience Post graduate training in Business or NHS Management in progress or completed Evidence of continuous professional development Experience Essential 5 years in a senior clinical/managerial position (at least 3 years at band7) Experience of leading and managing a team including managing conflict. Experience of research/audit and bench marking utilising the results to improve the quality of care Management of clinical incidents and complaints Experience in identifying education and training needs of staff supporting them in their professional development Experience in the management of a wide range of HR issues and financial resources Demonstrates a firm understanding of the patient experience agenda, including evidence of utilizing a variety of data to positively improve their experience. Experience in the management of elective access waiting list and processes Skills Essential Evidence of operational management expertise within hospital-based specialties. Significant experience of successful change management and service redesign Experience in managing budgets for specialties. Excellent Interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport and credibility with clinical and managerial teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with well-developed analytical skills with ability to present information, concisely and in a variety of formats for executive meetings, clearly articulating the impact on patient experience. Clear and demonstrable understanding of the performance management agenda for the speciality. Full understanding of the speciality monitoring frameworks and the organisation's reporting obligations and their contribution to ensuring the organisation meets them Evidence of experience of clinical governance, risk management and service improvement. Experience of contributing to and assessing/implementing cost improvement programmes. Evidence of initiating purposeful action and persistence in achieving speciality objectives Ability to negotiate effectively and problem solve to effect change Has an overview of the and an understanding of the clinical disciplines and their specific code of conduct within the speciality in order that there is an understanding of what is required to be in place for the safe and effective delivery of services. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Formal education to first degree level or equivalent ability or working towards or experience at NHS operational management, including senior level experience or equivalent management experience Post graduate training in Business or NHS Management in progress or completed Evidence of continuous professional development Experience Essential 5 years in a senior clinical/managerial position (at least 3 years at band7) Experience of leading and managing a team including managing conflict. Experience of research/audit and bench marking utilising the results to improve the quality of care Management of clinical incidents and complaints Experience in identifying education and training needs of staff supporting them in their professional development Experience in the management of a wide range of HR issues and financial resources Demonstrates a firm understanding of the patient experience agenda, including evidence of utilizing a variety of data to positively improve their experience. Experience in the management of elective access waiting list and processes Skills Essential Evidence of operational management expertise within hospital-based specialties. Significant experience of successful change management and service redesign Experience in managing budgets for specialties. Excellent Interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport and credibility with clinical and managerial teams. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with well-developed analytical skills with ability to present information, concisely and in a variety of formats for executive meetings, clearly articulating the impact on patient experience. Clear and demonstrable understanding of the performance management agenda for the speciality. Full understanding of the speciality monitoring frameworks and the organisation's reporting obligations and their contribution to ensuring the organisation meets them Evidence of experience of clinical governance, risk management and service improvement. Experience of contributing to and assessing/implementing cost improvement programmes. Evidence of initiating purposeful action and persistence in achieving speciality objectives Ability to negotiate effectively and problem solve to effect change Has an overview of the and an understanding of the clinical disciplines and their specific code of conduct within the speciality in order that there is an understanding of what is required to be in place for the safe and effective delivery of services. 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Address Manor Hosppital Moat Road Walsall WS2 9PS Employer's website https://walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)