Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven and enthusiastic individual to join the Radiology Directorate at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust as Directorate Operations Manager. Working closely with the Radiology Service Manager and wider radiology management team, you will provide operational support across the directorate with responsibility for the operational performance of the service and delivering the departmental objectives to ensure the highest standards of patient care.



You will ensure that the delivery of services is both efficient and effective by actively applying available resources and implementing improvements. You will promote and lead on quality and service improvement across the directorate and you will contribute towards long term strategies and policies for implementation of transformational change.



Please note this is a fixed-term 12 month post


You should have appropriate management experience and a thorough understanding of Radiology services and be able to evidence how you have implemented change, improved patient services and led a team. Excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for improving staff engagement and the service's culture is desired as this role involves a significant element of people management and responsibility for driving forwards the department's People and Culture agenda.



In addition to being enthusiastic, flexible and committed to delivering a high-quality service, it is vital that the post holder has the ability to prioritise against tight deadlines and can operate confidently in stressful situations. We are looking for someone who has the ability to think creatively to solve problems and improve processes and has the conviction to see plans through to realisation.

The main duties of the role will include:

Providing strong leadership and operational support to the Directorate and leadership team

Responsibility for performance monitoring and service improvement to bring performance in line with local and national targets

HR staff management with line management responsibility for designated teams within the directorate, upholding and adhering to Trust policies and processes

Oversee aspects of financial management and monitoring of service level agreements and developing/monitoring of business cases



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.



We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.



We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



1. Service & Operational management



Provides operational management support for all services within directorate, working closely with the service manager, clinical director and clinical leads, modality leads and divisional management team. Implements effective and appropriate performance management systems and processes to ensure delivery of performance targets. Ensures that inpatient and outpatient services within the directorate are used to best effect, achieving utilisation targets and driving improvements. Provides support to patients' relatives and carers in the delivery of services ensuring best practices are always adhered to . Supports the clinical facilities with day-to-day operational matters (e.g. bed escalation meetings, staffing concerns, ward maintenance) to ensure patient flow is maintained. Ensures the implementation of effective and appropriate performance management systems and processes to ensure delivery of performance targets. Leads services on the performance management agenda. Develops and introduces strategies and process changes to ensure recurrent achievement of activity at target levels. This includes liaison with clinicians to influence working practices to achieve the necessary changes. Interprets and analyses highly complex data in relation to performance management using Trust software to develop performance management reports. Develops own work plan in line with divisional and Trust objectives.

2. Strategic planning, service development and improvement



Responsible for the interpretation, development and implementation of broad policies and NHS guidance at both directorate and divisional level, when required. Plays a key role in service planning and development for the directorate. Develops and implements long term strategic plans for new ways of working and the continued development and improvement of services. Ensures that developments and improvements are across entire patient pathway and are in line with directorate, divisional and trust objectives. Ensures patients and relatives have a central role in the development and monitoring of service development projects for which the post holder is responsible. Uses and interprets research and audit findings to aid the development of new guidelines and protocols which support service improvements. Ensures regular progress reports, data sources and project reports are produced and submitted to service manager and presented to project boards.

3. Financial management and business planning



Responsible and accountable for, the management of designated budgets for services within directorate. Prepares robust business cases to enable services to remain financially stable and responsive to the demands placed upon them. Performs complex option appraisals to inform decision-making process, to include redesign of services. Identifies and makes recommendations for capital investment programmes. Ensures compliance with Trusts' standing orders and standing financial instructions. Ensures organisational procedures are deployed across directorate for control of activities against budget, ensuring that services are delivered within available resources. Contributes to the development and implementation of schemes and action plans to deliver cash-releasing efficiency savings according to target. Contributes to budget setting for services within the directorate. Assists service manager in the negotiation of annual service level agreements / contracts as required, ensuring they meet the needs of the directorate. Identifies opportunities for service redesign in line with QIPP strategies.

4. Human resources management



Line management responsibility for designated services within directorate. Responsible for medical and non-medical rotas within the directorate including co- ordination of induction along with the clinical leads. Responsible for the effective attendance, performance and appropriate conduct of staff in areas of responsibility. Takes action under Trust personnel policies (e.g. grievance, disciplinary, capability, attendance management) where necessary. Undertakes formal investigations and presents to panels. Provides appraisal/performance review for line managed staff resulting in clearly understood objectives and personal development plans that reflect both the needs of the Trust and the longer-term goals of staff. Ensures that grievances and whistle blowing are treated appropriately and within Trust policies. Ensures effective recruitment processes are implemented within directorate compliant with Trust policy. In liaison with HR develop and implement local strategies, using appropriate and innovative approaches to maximise retention and recruitment within own areas of responsibility. Contributes to divisional workforce plan as part of business planning process in line with division and corporate HR strategies.

5. Governance, quality and risk management



Assists directorate governance lead to lead and set the strategic direction for governance within the directorate, developing a culture where patient safety, quality and excellent care are delivered on a consistent basis. Contributes to the implementation of robust systems and reporting structures for monitoring quality, reviewing standards of service delivery, risk management and safe practice ensuring excellence in the management and delivery of all services within directorate. Develops plans and promotes risk management throughout the directorate. Ensures systems and processes are in place for the proactive management of risk registers and that remedial action is promptly taken where unacceptable risks are identified. Undertakes investigation and management of incidents and complaints. Undertakes root cause analysis and presents findings to executive review group. Required to deal with patients and relatives in serious circumstances which may be traumatic, and highly emotive because of a serious untoward clinical incident or complaint.

6. Communication



Maintains a range of highly developed effective communication and working relationships. Communicates at the highest level, with respect to highly sensitive and highly contentious information regarding service improvement and development. Negotiates, influences, persuades and reconciles conflicting views in a challenging and sometimes hostile environment in a manner that ensures credibility and fosters effective and lasting relationships with colleagues, staff, users and other stakeholders. Presents information both formally and informally to, divisional board, senior managers, staff groups and patients. Develops and implements processes that support good communications both within the Trust and division. Actively works with clinicians, managers and staff to develop an environment that promotes continuous service improvement. Employs motivational skills to encourage collaborative working to improve services and performance.

7. Education & training, audit, R&D



Assists service manager to implement divisional strategies for training and development, lifelong learning and modernising the workforce. Ensures training and development plans are in place within directorate and that training needs analyses are regularly reviewed to determine optimum staff to deliver present and future services. Ensures that line managed staff undertake mandatory training. Audits compliance and takes remedial action. Takes responsibility for personal continuing professional development. Ongoing requirement to undertake formal investigations, audits and surveys. Evaluates findings, develops and monitors action plans, undertakes remedial action. Encourages others to complete satisfaction surveys and develops action plans to address any deficiencies identified.

8. Information resources



Expected to create and maintain information systems as part of ongoing project and programme management. Regularly required to use a variety of software to create performance management and financial reports.

9. General



Participates in Trust duty manager on call rota.

The above indicates the main duties of the post which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service. Any review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post holder.