Associate Director of Operations

Corporate role Ensure that Care Group Strategy and objectives are consistent with the Trusts strategic aims and that services are developed in line with the Trusts strategic direction and annual plan. To ensure that Trust wide policies and procedures are implemented effectively in all areas. To assist in the determination of organisational policy and strategy. Manage the resources of the Care Group and improve quality and productivity, working with other Care Groups to achieve more effective use of resources or enhanced quality and productivity, as appropriate.

Work with other Associate Directors and Trust managers across Care Group boundaries, in order to facilitate effective working between services and sound patient pathways. Lead Trust-wide initiatives and projects, as required. All Associate Directors will be required to lead and have accountability for at least one specific Trust-wide role in addition to their Care Group responsibilities. Take part in Trust-wide on-call duties and act at Strategic Commander for Trust during Critical and Business Continuity issues if they occur during on call period.

Leadership Lead, manage and motivate staff within the Care Group, ensuring that appropriate management structures, policies and practices are in place to achieve high levels of performance. Lead in the planning, establishment and development of effective clinical management practices and usage of resources. Financial and Operational Management Ensure the effective management of the Care Groups budgets, meeting all financial targets, including achieving a break-even on budgets managed, and delivering cost improvements as agreed within the budget setting process. Develop Care Group budgets in support of the delivery of the Care Group business plan.

Work with colleagues in the Finance Department to understand the costs of service delivery and to ensure that, wherever possible, these are in line with national costings. Ensure that Care Group aims are delivered within the resources available. Control and review the use of resources against planned performance. Hold managerial accountability for budgets delegated to other staff within the Care Group.

Ensure delivery of standards and targets for operational performance on activity, productivity, quality and risk management. Ensure that robust systems are in place for accurately recording patient activity, and work with colleagues in corporate departments to ensure that the contractual arrangements in place reflect the specific issues relating to services managed by the Care Group. Performance Ensure that all national access targets are met, including waiting times for outpatient appointments, diagnostic services and for elective admissions where appropriate. Ensure that local targets in relation to access, Community Health and Mental Health are met.

Work with colleagues in other departments to ensure that systems for managing waiting times and access issues related to community and mental health are effective. Ensure that all other targets relevant to the services managed are met. Service Development Develop detailed business plans for the Care Group and Trust wide scheme of work. Lead and encourage redesign of services, and embed new ways of working which support patient care aims; promote the Trust quality improvement method using the Micro Systems Methodology Active involvement in planning, marketing and commissioning of services.

Ensure patient and family involvement in the evaluation and redesign of services. Establish links with external agencies that will ensure the continued development of new ways of working and collaboration on key tasks within the health economy. Quality Ensure that national quality and environmental standards are achieved, including CQUIN targets and those included in service specification for specialised services. Maintain and develop strong systems for clinical and corporate governance.

Ensure Information Governance standards are met with high standards in the quality of data within the Care Group and promote the use of new information technology. Human Resources Develop workforce and training plans for the Care Group. Ensure all staff have objectives and participate in the annual appraisal process. Ensure all staff are properly trained and meet mandatory training requirements.