Bed Manager - Neurosciences

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Job Title: Bed Manager - Neurosciences

Contract Type: Permanent

Under current Home Office rules, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if we receive a large number of applications.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Bed Manager within the Neurosciences department at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). You will play a key role in coordinating patient flow and bed capacity across the department, helping to ensure that patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Working closely with clinical and operational colleagues, you will oversee the effective allocation and management of beds, responding proactively to changing demands and supporting the safe and timely movement of patients through the hospital and regionally. Your contribution will be essential in maintaining patient safety, improving patient experience and supporting the efficient use of available resources.

The role will have a direct impact on the delivery of high-quality neurosciences services by supporting effective capacity management, reducing delays and ensuring that operational pressures are identified and managed promptly. You will work collaboratively with ward teams, medical staff, site management and other departments to facilitate excellent patient flow and continuity of care.

You will report to the relevant operational/clinical management lead within Neurosciences and will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, building strong working relationships across the department and wider organisation. This is an opportunity to make a visible and meaningful contribution to the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care at UHS.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

Job responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating patient flow across the Neurosciences service, ensuring beds are used effectively and patients are moved safely and promptly to the most appropriate area of care.

Working closely with the Emergency Department and clinical teams to support the timely admission of neurosciences patients, helping to avoid unnecessary delays and facilitate patients moving quickly from ED to the appropriate ward or specialist service.

Coordinating regional referrals into the Neurosciences service, working with referring hospitals, clinicians and internal teams to ensure referrals are assessed and appropriate patients are transferred into the service safely and efficiently.

Maintaining oversight of bed capacity and anticipated demand, proactively identifying pressures and working with operational and clinical colleagues to resolve barriers to patient flow and support the delivery of safe, high-quality care.

What experience/skills are needed;

Experience of working in an acute hospital environment with a good understanding of patient flow, bed management, admission and discharge processes.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with clinical, operational and multidisciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.

Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, respond calmly to rapidly changing circumstances and make timely decisions in a pressured environment.

The ability to work collaboratively with the Emergency Department, Neurosciences teams and regional referring organisations to facilitate safe and timely transfers and ensure patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

The role requires flexibility to meet the operational needs of the service, including working across the required shift pattern and supporting patient flow during periods of increased demand.

Person specification

Physical requirements of the post

Essential

• Health and physical abilities sufficient for the post (if necessary with reasonable adjustments with respect to the Equality Act/Disability Discrimination Act).

Qualifications / training required

Essential

• GCSE English and Maths minimum grade C, or equivalent qualification
• Educated to vocational level 3 or an equivalent qualification level or relevant work based experience / training, plus detailed knowledge of secretarial and administrative procedures and systems in order to resolve many non-routine issues.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and organisational policies / procedures in order to resolve problems or to develop and/or refine procedures.
• Working knowledge of MS word/excel

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing personal/professional development
• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

• Experience of working in a busy environment
• Administrative and organisational experience
• Experience of dealing with complex situations

Desirable

• Experience of change, including process change
• Previous experience working in an acute hospital setting
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Bed management experience

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and on own initiative
• Demonstrates clarity and breadth in use of verbal and written communications in relation to our patient group
• Ability to learn and assimilate complex information quickly
• Excellent communication/telephone skills
• Ability to prioritise a workload
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy of work

Special requirements of the post

Essential

• Ability to quickly form good working relationships with staff at all levels of seniority
• Demonstratable customer care skills
• Polite, patient and diplomatic
• Flexible approach to working hours

Trust Values

Essential

• Patient First
• Working Together
• Always Improving