Service Manager Review

My role as a Service Manager in an Acute NHS Trust requires me to manage the day to day requirements and escalations across the service. I am involved with medical staffing, business continuity planning, waiting lists, clinics and clinic capacity, complaints and incidents, finance, diagnostic waiting lists and pathways including cancer waits.

I have both learnt and developed existing skills being in this role. I have worked in similar roles previously so have transferable skills such as people management, finance management, health and safety, rota management, appraisals etc, however learning a role in a new trust is always going to be challenging and it takes a while to learn everything whilst trying to carry out your day to day tasks.

I am in the early stages of the programme having only attended the induction in person and one online skills study session. So far I have found the information presented to me very helpful and am keen to get started so I can really get a feel for things. I am quite apprehensive at the moment.

As above, I have only just started the programme and have only just attended the induction. My first official session is the 5th June and my first assignment will be submitted by the 10th July. The induction was very well structure and informative, the only downside is that although we were told about Moodle, we werent shown where to find the resource, pre-course work etc or advised that there would be any. This would have been exceptionally beneficial for those of us new to higher education as we only found this by chance.

My employer is very supportive and we have a plan in place and will agree study leave dates in due course. My manager is very flexible and will support me as much as possible. Having already completed the course earlier, she will be an ideal critical reviewer for my work and ensure that I am following tasks appropriately.

I am currently unable to rate this as I am yet to submit my first assignment. My first lecture is the 5th of June and following this, my first assignment is due to be submitted on the 10th July. I will be able to provide further feedback after this time.

By carrying out this qualification, it offers me the opportunity to reflect on my working practices, to learn from others and to trail alternative ways of working to see what impact they have made, be it positive or negative. I will be able to embed my learning into my work and hopefully see positive progress as I move forwards.

Yes, my Trust is very adaptive and is always looking for ways to engage the workforce. There are regular focuses where they put on extra curricular activities. I will ensure that I keep a look out for these and will attend any that will support with my learning and development.

Yes

East Cheshire NHS Trust is a friendly local District General Hospital where everyone works closely together. There are lots of focuses for improvement and new developments and projects coming into action so from a development point of view it is a great place to work as there is so much to learn.

East Cheshire NHS Trust would attract people with a proven history of project development and people with a drive to see change and improvement. There is so much opportunity and challenge here that it keeps your brain busy and will help to build a strong portfolio of development and achievements.