Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Chief of Allied Health Professionals. As a Trust, we are committed to delivering outstanding care to our patients and public. To achieve this, we need our leaders to inspire, to motivate and to work collaboratively with colleagues, partner organisations and our public to ensure we are trusted to deliver safe, effective, compassionate care always.
Reporting to the Associate Chief Operating Officer for Out of Hospital, this full time, permanent post is available at Agenda for Change Band 8C.
This is a wide-ranging role, spanning in hospital and out of hospital AHP services across the Trust, covering Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Dietetics and Podiatry.
There is a strong emphasis on our transformation programme, focused on getting the right care to patients, at the right time, in the right place, with a mandate to only provide care in the acute setting that cannot be delivered elsewhere.
Your strategic planning skills are crucial as you will lead on the development of the AHP strategy. You will have demonstrable ability to execute a high level of financial control and be able to prove how your people management skills ensure your teams deliver excellent work.
Main duties of the job
The Associate Chief of Allied Health Professionals (ACAHP) will support the Associate Chief Operating Officer for Out of Hospital (ACOO), harnessing their value and identifying opportunities to develop new roles and ways of working. They will provide expert professional advice to a wide range of staff across the in hospital and out of hospital Allied Health Professional (AHP) services that fall under the remit of this post.
The ACAHP will provide operational and clinical leadership both within the organisation and through professional networks at local, regional and national level.
They will provide AHP leadership across the full range of AHP services (acute and community) to develop new care models aligned to the wider AHP strategy. They will lead on developing AHP workforce and identifying opportunities to modernise service delivery across pathways.
The ACAHP will support the ACOO in ensuring quality, safety, financial and operational performance for the AHP portfolio and work collaboratively with the Quadrumvirate (ACOO, ACAHP, Associate Chief Nursing Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer). They will work collaboratively to implement and drive change and service improvement. They will advise and oversee relevant projects and service improvement ideas.
The post holder will ensure that AHP leads and services are fully represented across the Trust's Divisional Structure. The post holder will be the AHP representative for SWFT Management Board.
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Date posted: 28 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8c
Salary: £74,290 to £85,601 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 203-CS879-A
Job locations: South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, Warwick, CV34 5BW
Job description
Job responsibilities
To lead on service delivery and modernisation, AHP workforce and workload planning, AHP education, research training and development and quality of AHP interventions in relation to professional standards and health and social care governance.
The post holder will provide strong strategic direction and professional leadership on all aspects of AHP services and bring the AHP perspective to the decision-making process.
The post holder will be held responsible for the oversight of quality and safety across the division and Trust in partnership with the ACNO and ACMO for Out of Hospital and form part of the divisional Quadrumvirate.
The post holder will be responsible for the oversight of performance of AHP services. The post holder will have line management responsibility for the AHP Service Leads. The post holder will be working closely with the AHP Service Leads on any service development and operational change.
The post holder will develop a detailed understanding of all AHP services that reflects their diversity and commonality within relevant organisations.
The post holder will be expected to maintain and enhance standards of all AHP services for patient care, patient experience and patient safety outcomes by leading on the implementation of continuous quality and safety initiatives.
The post holder will provide AHP leadership and direction to the AHP Service Leads and provide senior expert advice on matters relating to AHPs across the Trust as identified by the ACOO the Senior Leadership Team.
The post holder will lead the development of the range of AHP services, strategy documents, policies and procedures as required.
The post holder will deputise for the ACOO for Out of Hospital in relation to organisational and professional issues and take part in the Senior/General Manager On Call Rota.
The post holder will act in accordance with current local Warwickshire and Trust Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children's policies.
The postholder will work collaboratively with the ACOOs and other key managers in delivering service development, business planning and operational service delivery ensuring achievements in key local and national targets.
The post holder will support the development and implementation of Job Planning across AHP teams. This will include a focus on improving and delivering productivity as well as clinical and qualitative benefits and adoption of Making Every Contact Count principles.
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP:
Provide a high-level contribution to regional workgroups and initiatives, leading local enactment and ensuring the best and most up-to-date practice is adopted across all service areas.
Promote a culture and style of working which actively supports partnership working and empowerment thus ensuring that AHPs participate in and influence decision making at all levels within the organisation.
Develop and capitalise on external networking opportunities to benchmark local services, learn from others and share best practice with a view to encouraging local innovation, development and continuous improvement of services.
Analyse and interpret highly complex AHP related data to inform the strategic direction of AHP services and assist the ACOO for Out of Hospital in the determination of policy and professional practice development.
Lead on the implementation of the quality AHP agenda to allow robust measurement of AHP care that will inform changes and resources required.
Hold responsibility for AHP performance targets in partnership with the ACOO.
To support the Trust with highly complex clinical issues and investigations and ensure any changes in practice that are required are implemented and shared.
Lead on workforce planning for AHPs and utilise evidence-based workforce tools and expert professional opinion to make recommendations to the ACOO for Out of Hospital.
Support the Trust ACOO for Out of Hospital in the implementation of the clinical workforce strategy in relation to all AHP services.
To lead on both pre and post-registration developments in AHP services in collaboration with the AHP managers and Head of Learning & Development.
Work in collaboration with the Chief Nursing Officer, ACMO and AHP managers to develop pre and post registration education of other healthcare professionals by AHPs.
Develop AHP extended scope practitioner roles that include a supportive infrastructure, provision for professional development and supervision.
Support workforce redesign in line with service needs and changing roles in healthcare in collaboration with AHP managers.
Ensure a robust framework for clinical supervision across AHP services is maintained.
Act as the professional and operational lead relating to the conduct of AHPs within the Trust.
Ensure all clinical standards are maintained within the division and develop governance associated for monitoring and improving this.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT:
To provide expertise and advice to the Trust Board, WCC, AHP Council and AHP Faculty and Local HEIs in relation to AHP issues through the translation and interpretation of National and other directives.
To ensure close collaboration with key stakeholders including Directors, AHP managers, Consultants, GPs, Lead Nurses, Clinical Directors, HEIs and professional bodies.
Work with the AHP managers in collaboration with the Chief Nursing Officer in setting the vision for future improving patient experience and engagement.
Be a core member of the Patient Experience Group.
GOVERNANCE, QUALITY AND SAFETY:
To ensure sustainable and effective systems of governance for AHPs (clinical, financial, staff, research and information) across the Trust are maintained, which meet CQC, NHSLA and other relevant standards/targets.
Ensure sustainable and effective systems of governance for the division.
Lead or commission investigations into AHP practices following serious untoward incidents, clinical or conduct incidents or patient complaints as agreed by the Chief Nursing Officer. Ensure that organisational learning is reflected into clinical practice or professional behaviour.
Support the implementation of the CQC standards and support the Trust in preparing for the CQC inspection regime.
Work with clinical teams and the patient support services to resolve difficult and complex complaints.
Implement findings from complaints, to ensure lessons are learned. Ensure relevant communication to the Patient Experience Group.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENTS & PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT:
Support the AHP leads, in identifying, developing and implementing models of practice development that reflect patient pathways and new career routes.
Lead on transformation and service developments, with particular emphasis on developing AHP and other clinical roles.
Lead, support and facilitate staff involved in service re-design projects across the health economy.
Utilise creative and innovative thinking in any project work or planned changes.
Work with leadership teams to transform operational management of AHPs and business intelligence through the use of data. Oversee the development and monitoring of metrics and dashboards that demonstrate the performance and contribution of AHPs to the Trust's strategic objectives. Provide oversight of AHP data submissions, funding bids and consultation responses to local, regional and national bodies as required.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
Support the AHP Managers in the development of the AHP workforce for the Trust, creating a flexible and competent clinical workforce for AHPs and enable them to work across professional boundaries.
Support the recruitment and retention of AHP services and raise awareness of workforce issues to the relevant executive teams.
Work closely with HR to support the delivery of the recruitment and retention agenda for the AHP workforce.
Complete an annual AHP specific Training Needs Analysis to work with colleagues in Higher Education to ensure delivery of the Trust's undergraduate and post graduate education programme.
Support the implementation of the action plans with aim of improving the staff survey results year on year.
Manage staff in accordance with the Performance management tools/policies as necessary.
Support recruitment and appraisals of senior clinicians as required.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:
To have overall responsibility for all budgets associated with the AHP services, ensuring that resources are used effectively, with no duplication, no unnecessary handovers between service pathways and that balanced budgets are delivered at year end.
Manage the financial performance of AHP services highlighting potential problems at the earliest opportunity and be instrumental in implementing corrective action.
Ensure that all resource implications and changes in services within the AHP services are clearly communicated as part of business and financial planning cycle.
Source and secure funding for the development of projects within their portfolio in collaboration with the relevant AHP managers.
Regularly review and monitor financial information in regard to AHP Services. Take a central role in informing budget setting and subsequent oversight of AHP budgets.
Work in collaboration with the AHP managers to ensure AHP resources are utilised to the optimum efficiency and within the financial framework within SWFT, making recommendations as necessary to effect change.
Work with the AHP managers to devise strategies for the effective use of staff and reduce reliance on temporary staffing.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
* Registered AHP
* Educated to Masters or equivalent experience
* Leadership Qualification.
* Evidence of training / qualifications in Leadership
* Management and Leadership Training or equivalent experience
Experience Essential
* Evidence of relevant continual professional development
* Experience at Head of an AHP service or equivalent role.
* Broad range of clinical experience.
* Experience of working in a team environment.
* Experience of current developments in the NHS.
* Experience of AHP leadership and operational management.
* Experience of managing budgets.
* Experience of Project Management.
* Experience of implementing quality improvement projects
Skills Essential
* Must be able to demonstrate the ability to facilitate and present to groups.
* Must be able to demonstrate leadership qualities.
* Must be able to prioritise and meet deadlines.
* Must be able to demonstrate use of IT skills.
* Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the need for confidentiality in all aspects of the work of the department.
* Must have understanding and appreciation of service redesign agenda.
* Good understanding of both primary and secondary care and the aims and priorities of the modern NHS.
* Evidence of involvement in a broad range of clinical governance projects
* Multi-disciplinary team working in various settings
* Proven ability of complex case management.
Personal Qualities Essential
* Ability to manage a team.
* Ability to work as part of the team.
* Ability to influence and persuade.
* Ability to be self-motivated.
* Effective communicator.
* Excellent role model.
* Leadership skills.
* Good organisational skills.
Other Essential
* Has an independent means of transport.
* Must be a non-smoker during working hours.
* Must be willing to undertake DBS to Enhanced/Standard level.
* Must be legally entitled to work in this country.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name: South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, Warwick, CV34 5BW
Employer's website: https://www.swft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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