WYAAT Project Manager

Job summary

Applications are invited for an exciting development opportunity as a project manager for the Stroke Quality Improvement for Rehabilitation (SQuIRe) project for the North East and Yorkshire (NEY). We are seeking an experienced, determined and forward thinking individual with a passion for improving services for patients and their families.

The successful candidate will work flexibly and at pace, supporting the Integrated Stroke Delivery Networks (ISDNs) in the region to implement the national Integrated Community Stroke Service Model (ICSSM). They will operate as the regional project manager for the SQuIRe project, sharing this responsibility with another postholder, connecting into a national community of practice and the national stroke programme.

The SQuIRe project seeks to address the underlying causes of unwarranted variation in community stroke care provision. The overall aim of the project is to improve the quality of community based stroke care as evidenced by improving clinical outcomes and patient experience.

The post holder will engage and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to understand current gaps and challenges within stroke rehabilitation. A key function of the role will be to identify priority areas, explore solutions and lead on the development and delivery of quality improvement projects.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract or secondment basis until end March 2025.

Main duties of the job

The primary purpose of the role will be to facilitate the regional implementation of the ICSSM and work collaboratively to address system level challenges. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply their initiative, innovation and drive to achieve this. The successful candidate will focus on key domains such as:

- Embedding a regional Infrastructure, network, and community of practice

- Developing strong links with a range of stakeholders

- Establishing the regional use of data to inform plans and monitor progress

- Leading on Stroke Rehabilitation Quality Improvement

- Fostering the behaviours and competencies required for successful quality improvement.

The role will involve the application of robust project management, quality improvement and leadership skills. Key to the success of this role will be the development of effective partnership working across and within several systems. This is a regional role working on behalf of the NEY Clinical Network, hosted by the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT).

The post holder will report to the West Yorkshire and Harrogate ISDN Manager and will work in collaboration with ISDNs within the NEY region. The ISDNs have established structures and work in partnership on a regular basis. Successful candidates will be well supported by the ISDN teams and there will be close links with the national SQuIRe project team.

About us

The West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) is a collaborative of six acute Trusts: Airedale District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust.

The Trusts have agreed to work together on behalf of the patients and population to deliver the best possible experience and outcomes within the available resources for corporate and acute services across the WYAAT service area. The aim is for the parties to organise themselves around the needs of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate population rather than planning at an individual organisational level so as to deliver more integrated, high quality, costs effective care for patients.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post-holder is accountable to the WYAAT Programme Manager, both managerially and professionally. The nature of the work will involve supporting and reporting to a broad audience including, but not limited to, Executive Directors, Clinical Leaders, Operational Managers, finance colleagues and other leads across the Programme and HCP. The success of this post will be underpinned by the development and maintenance of strong and effective partnership relationships across WYAAT.

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

To perform effectively in the role the post holder will be expected to have the following behaviours and skills:

The ability to work within an area which is developing and fast moving and where the rules and direction of travel are not always well-defined.

The ability to secure engagement with well-developed leadership and confident but pleasant communication skills, willing to challenge and be challenged.

A commitment to knowing and understanding the business of healthcare provision.

A preparedness to take responsibility and work autonomously demonstrating a commitment to delivering results, a quality service and delivering at pace.

Commitment to supporting change and improvement, able to make connections and link pieces of work to maximise the achievement of multiple objectives.

An ability to identify and coordinate any inputs required from others, developing project / programme plans and managing performance against plan to ensure that tasks are allocated, performed in accordance with set deadlines and to required quality standards.

Ability to present highly complex issues with a range of parties, using appropriate communication and presentation skills including effective influencing and negotiation skills.

The post holder will undertake the following principal duties and responsibilities:

Develop and implement the standard work for managing the project in line with WYAAT implementation methods. Ensure this is reviewed regularly in line with continuous improvement. Ensure that required systems, policies and procedures are in place across the trust to develop and maintain effective project management.

Support the Programme manager engaging key stake holders to ensure collaboration and delivery of stated objectives.

Manage the communications plan for the project; ensuring key stakeholders are informed of progress.

Maintain a comprehensive performance and reporting framework with which to keep the Programme Executive regularly and fully appraised of progress against each programme plan, key risks to delivery, and actions to mitigate those to risks.

Provide challenge and support to project managers/leads, and make judgements and decisions relating to the management of the programme making immediate and decisive action where programmes / projects are failing to meet key milestones/targeted levels of improvement.

Work to tight deadlines. On occasions when there are interruptions and conflicting demands, change activity to provide immediate response.

To perform other tasks and undertake other responsibilities as required by more senior members of the WYAAT PMO team.

The jobholder must co-operate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co-workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally Irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion etc.

The post-holder will work closely with members of their respective team and with members of the other teams within WYAAT. They will also work/communicate with other departments/managers within WYAAT and the HCP. Some communication will also be required with external bodies such as the University and other NHS bodies.

The post will involve light physical effort but a significant part of the day may be spent at a computer using standard keyboard skills or sat in meetings.

The post-holder will have an unpredictable work pattern and be likely to be interrupted and required to reprioritise at short notice. However, there will be occasional periods of long concentration required whilst analysing complex data or writing planning documentation.

The post holder may have to present contentious issues to staff, managers, Board Directors or Auditors including cost and efficiency programmes, service redesign issues or organisational change.

The post-holder may at times experience colleagues strongly expressing opposing views to policies and procedures that must be upheld by the WYAAT PMO Function. This requires staff to have a high degree of self-confidence and personal resilience and the emotional maturity to respond in appropriately measured ways.

The jobholder is required to use a VDU more or less continuously on most days. However, exposure to unpleasant working conditions or hazards is rare.

The post will have a primary base of SJUH, however visits to other LTHT hospital sites and external organisations will be necessary as part of the role. The post holder will be required to participate in team cover arrangements necessary to ensure an effective service. There will be an expectation for occasional travel across the region and to link with operational teams.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Project / Programme Management Qualification such as Prince 2 Degree in relevant discipline Post graduate qualification to Masters level or equivalent experience. Evidence of continuing professional and personal development

Other criteria

Essential

Staff management and development techniques Knowledge of training techniques and best practice

Experience

Essential

In-depth understanding of the NHS, including organisation and policy changes. Detailed understanding of current NHS priorities and an advanced practical and theoretical knowledge of the savings agenda. Extensive experience in providing impartial detailed advice and information to multi-disciplinary clinical and other management teams, obtaining engagement and ensuring key concepts and issues are c Proven track record of developing, putting in place and overseeing progress tracking and reporting mechanisms which mitigate and manage delivery and operational risks.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

The ability to work under pressure within an area which is developing and fast moving, where the rules and direction of travel are not always well-defined Strong policy development skills, able to make suggestions to inform and set direction. Ability to secure engagement with well-developed leadership and confident communication skills, willing to challenge and be challenged Highly developed leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams, ensuring they understand performance expectations and work in partnership Ability to present highly complex issues with a range of parties, using appropriate communication and presentation skills including effective influencing and negotiation skills. Ability to work constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful collaborations.

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