Assistant Service Manager

An exciting opportunity has become available for a motivated and enthusiastic Assistant Service Manager to join our dynamic Trauma & Orthopaedic Department at Bedford Hospital. This is a busy, fast‑paced environment where you'll play a key role in supporting the delivery of high‑quality services and contributing to the smooth running of the department

The post holder will be responsible for undertaking a broad range of duties to support both the management and clinical teams, providing input at a strategic level as well as on day‑to‑day operations. They will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the administration offices, working independently and leading the department in meeting its daily administrative and business demands.

In addition, the post holder will contribute to ensuring that the service consistently meets all performance requirements, including quality standards and activity targets. They will assist with the close monitoring of performance and escalate any potential risks to the delivery of key measures, such as the 18‑week wait target. The role also includes managing the team of secretarial and administrative staff within the service, while providing ongoing support to managers, medical staff, and nursing staff across the department

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

Provide support to the Service Manager in overseeing various aspects of the service, including the arrangement of outpatient clinics and theatre lists.

Ensure the smooth running of the department by managing day‑to‑day administration and, with appropriate training and supervision, exercising delegated responsibility to make operational decisions when required.

Proactively problem‑solve daily management issues, organising and reallocating work as necessary to respond to changes in workload or staffing availability.

Establish and maintain effective processes and procedures to monitor and track performance against agreed service targets.

Act with delegated authority on behalf of the Service Manager to resolve operational management issues within the service