Deputy Director, Safety and Risk Management

The Director of Safety and Patient Safety Specialist is seeking an enthusiastic, value driven, exceptional individual who is passionate about improving safety, service user experience, staff engagement and development.


Have sound knowledge of the National Patient Safety Strategy, Patient Safety Incident Response Framework and Human factors/Safety Science. Support the identification of contributory factors to ensure that learning responses are undertaken in accordance with Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) guidance, and reports evidence the use of Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) methodology.


Our ambition is to deliver outcomes through a Quality Improvement approach and the post holder will have the opportunity to develop their Quality Improvement skills and knowledge to Expert level. The post holder will contribute to the daily management of Patient Safety Incident Response processes and lead the management of Patient Safety investigations effectively.


Deputise for the Head of Patient Safety Incident Management as required. Support the Head of PSIM with the development of Safety Improvement Plans and undertake Quality Reviews as required.


Work with a range of internal and external stakeholders to investigate, analyse and use judgement through the collation of evidence and findings using the agreed methods within the Trust's Patient Safety Incident Response Plan (PSIRP). The outcome will be the identification of systems learning from a patient safety incident that will then guide sustainable risk reduction and service improvement, ensuring that a Just and Learning Culture and Human Factors principles are maintained.


Will be required to analyse and interpret complex and sensitive clinical and safety situations.


Have responsibility for a named care unit and work collaboratively with the senior leadership team providing guidance, support and advice as needed.
Season Ticket Loans
NHS discounts for staff
Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment


Join our Staff bank


What is Staff Bank?


Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.


All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.


If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
Provide expert advice, guidance and empowerment to all staff on matters related to patient safety incidents, investigations and responses. Ensure compliance at all times with local and national guidance.


Provide training, coaching and facilitation to staff to support a systems learning approach in response to patient safety incidents.


To support the Head of Patient Safety Incident Management Team in for ensuring compliance with all statutory reporting requirements.


To be responsible for the planning and allocation of cases for discussion in the PSIRF Oversight Group Review panels on behalf of the Head of Patient Safety Incident Management Team and ensuring robust meeting taking and follow up of actions in a timely manner.


Contribute to the planning and organisation of response plans and investigations following patient safety incidents, adjusting plans or strategies as necessary with the support and direction of the Head of Patient Safety Incident Management Team.


Work autonomously as a learning response lead and in conjunction with colleagues, escalating any identified risks to the Head of Patient Safety Incident Management.


To be responsible for the writing of the draft terms of reference or key questions to be asked for a learning response review using information available in the decision making tool.


Identify and review all sources of information in relation to patient safety incidents and use a variety of analytical skills to identify systems learning. Provide highly specialist advice in relation to patient safety incident responsiveness to improve and influence the care and treatment of patients through sustained learning.


Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information relating to patient safety incidents and present this information to teams and groups as appropriate.


Liaise with patients, service users, carers, victims and their families following a patient safety incident and throughout response processes, encouraging and supporting active engagement.


Advising the Head of Patient Safety Incident Management on the quality, suitability and effectiveness of completed investigation reports.


Present complex, unwelcome and sometimes distressing information to a range of internal and external stakeholders including patient, service users and their families, victims and their families, senior clinicians and front line professionals.


Monitor the progress of patient safety incident response processes and in conjunction with Head of Patient Safety Incident Management Team produce, develop and present highly complex quality reports and analysis on incidents which will be available to the Trust Board, associated sub-committees such as quality and safety meetings and for internal and external reporting requirements as required, with identified learning and thematic analysis.


Develop a strong interpersonal and professional relationship with operational team managers that supports collaborative working and effective response to the progression of investigation and safety improvement plans


Contribute to the development and improvement of a systems learning approach and cultural changes associated with the introduction of the patient safety incident response framework and lead on allocated improvement and innovation projects. Responsible for horizon scanning and developing external networks in order to stay updated.
Extensive experience in health, social care in a management or senior project management role requiring the use of judgement and initiative in decision-making in non-routine tasks
Evidence of continued professional development

Post Graduate degree or equivalent or evidence of competence gained through broad comparable experience
Management qualification

Demonstrable knowledge of national patient safety policy and strategy, Patient Safety Incident Response Framework and levers for change in the NHS system.
Experience of corporate and clinical governance at a senior operational level


Ability to provide senior leadership to the PSIM team and work with senior leaders such as Directors
Proven ability to work well with others by being positive, helpful and listening to them involving, respecting and learning from others , demonstrating the qualities of compassionate and value based leadership
Experience, understanding and use of PSIRF investigation tools, techniques and risk assessment methodologies
Experience of working within a healthcare organisation at a senior level
Experience of leading Patient Safety investigations within large/complex organisations
Excellent Report writing
Ability to understand and analyse complex data

Personal Qualities
Credibility and enthusiasm for patient safety Values, diversity, inclusion and difference operating with integrity and openness
Additional qualities and Corporate
Fitness analysis as appropriate
Current driving licence or ability to travel across sites and across Trust boundaries to undertake key roles, responsibilities and to attend trust meetings as required.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust