Ophthalmology Placement Coordinator and Patient Navigator

at  Swansea Bay University Health Board

This is a fixed term secondment post for 12 months due to funding.
If you are a Swansea Bay University Health Board employee this post will only be offered on a secondment basis and you will need to have gained your line managers approval for the secondment prior to going to interview.
A wonderful opportunity to work for Swansea Bay University Health Board as part of our ophthalmology team. We are excited to offer this band 4 placement coordinator and navigator post and are sure it will provide the successful candidate with a rewarding and interesting career with further development opportunities.
The post holder will work in ophthalmology outpatient clinics where they will work alongside our clinical team. The job will entail coordinating higher certificate placements for post graduate optometrists and it will also involve answering the phone to navigate patient phone calls to the correct department within ophthalmology.
The position requires independent working although supervision is available within the Ophthalmology clinic. Some decision making is required.
The post holder will be the point of contact for all administrative duties relating to arranging placements in secondary care for optometry higher qualifications across the health board. They will lead the work with placement partners maintain a strong working relationship with them at various levels throughout the organisation.
The post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and will provide expertise in the proactive management of placements. This includes ensuring the suitability and capacity of the eye clinic to host placements.
The post holder will ensure high levels of trainee and training post satisfaction by being an accessible and knowledgeable point of contact.
They will provide a link between the health board and Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to ensure a smooth transition between completion of the academic programme to attending placements.
They will conduct an annual review and, working with stakeholders consider opportunities to test and implement new solutions to improve placement experience through continuous improvement.
They will perform the role of patient navigator within our urgent referral eye clinic service. They will triage phone calls to re-direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare provider, stopping unnecessary admissions into the Urgent Referral Clinic for Eyes.
They will be responsible for the monitoring and ordering of stock levels for the Urgent Referral Clinic for Eyes.
We believe staff are our best asset and we want you to be happy and confident about starting your career here in Swansea Bay University Health Board.
As one of the biggest healthcare groups in the UK we can offer a wealth of professional training and development opportunities in an innovative, forward-thinking organisation.
You might be a nurse or doctor, maybe you specialise in a health science/therapy or can offer skills in one of our support services - we have a job for you.
There are also apprenticeships, work placements and volunteering roles available.
We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from everyone whatever their sex; religion or belief; race; age; sexual orientation; gender identity or, whether they are pregnant or have recently been on maternity leave, married or are in a civil partnership; or, whether they are disabled.
Our values - Caring For Each Other, Working Together and Always Improving, show that our commitment to equality is at the heart of everything we do.
If you want excellent career and training opportunities while living on the doorstep of some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery, with all the benefits of a thriving and cosmopolitan city - look no further.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Allocate placements for postgraduate optometrists in their health board ensuring the standard and quality requirements are met taking into account special requirements/restrictions.
Discuss placement progress and arrange meetings with trainees and HEIW as appropriate, by telephone, in writing and in person.
Liaise and maintain good working relationships with HEIW, NHS directors, the clinical director of ophthalmology and the ophthalmology clinicians to make best use of clinic capacity and training placements, attending clinics, where appropriate.
Working with the health board (and other health boards) to outline a consistent approach regarding governance, for example, ensuring honorary contracts for postgraduate students before they are placed within any practice/placement environment.
Establish that trainees are Occupational Health cleared prior to commencement of their first placement date.
Rearrange training placements as needed following an interruption or resumption of training.
Cancellations – communicate details to the trainee or hosting organization ensuring all information is available.
Ensure outcomes of clinic attendance have been accurately recorded.
Ensure placements and honorary contracts are processed in a timely manner and that the appropriate paperwork has been completed and sent or received.
Proactively manage the placements to avoid breaches and take steps to resolve any issues.
To be responsible for identifying and escalation any issues regarding placements to the Placement Lead in HEIW.
Contribute to the improvement of placement service, setting up meetings for placement service development initiatives and review at least once a year.
Ensure that accurate data relating to practice placements and placement provision is maintained and used to inform the decision-making process when allocating students to appropriate clinical settings.
Ensure the welfare of the postgraduate student on placement is management appropriately and in line with the health board and national standards
Triage phone calls and re-direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare provider,
Educate and inform patient about use of services
Facilitate patient pathways
Monitor and order stock levels for the Urgent Referral Clinic for Eyes
Please see the attached job description and personal specification for full detai

Please refer the Job description for details