Clinical Services Manager

Job/Role Summary

• Responsible for the management of nursing, administration and clerical services in a Medical Directorate
• Ensuring the provision of high quality care and efficient and effective use of resources
• Providing support in all aspects of business planning/ contracting functions
• Participation in the Senior Officer On-Call Rota responsible for the Trust
• Review and ensure appropriate action on all clinical governance issues

Specific qualifications and experience required

• Registered Nurse, Level 1, Adult, of NMC Register
• Education to degree level
• Recognised management qualification
• Experience in direct line management responsibility for nursing

Career Milestones

I have had the opportunity of undertaking a number of management development courses which I have found beneficial. I have also completed a Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Health and Social Services Management which gave me an in-depth look at the Health Service. I have attended DHSSPS Women in Leadership Programme which again helped me in my current role. I was seconded for 14 months to a project post which helped me focus on issues other than management and also helped me understand how the processes work from the DHSSPS down. Although I have been in this current post for several years, it has been beneficial and necessary to look outside my role and previous experiences have helped me to do this. They have provided me with insight and support, increased my knowledge and taught me different styles of leadership and management which have proved very worthwhile.

What attracted you to this job?

• The challenge of a transitional post from one hospital closing to another opening
• The role allows the development of management skills
• Some patient contact is still maintained although this has decreased over the years
• The challenge of a role that continues to change over the years

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• When projects are successfully completed
• Knowing that the staff I manage provide high quality patient care
• It is a very varied role

Important success factors

• Support from my peers and subordinates
• Additional courses/seminars as necessary
• ongoing professional development
• Secondment to another post has taught me to look at issues from a wider perspective

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

I would suggest work shadowing with a CSM for a period of time to learn about the demands of the job and what skills are required on any given day. Staff applying for a post like mine are usually in a management role already but their posts are generally more clinically based. Promotion to a post like mine will therefore require a major change in their role and they need to be prepared for that. I would encourage a colleague to ensure they had the necessary ‘hands-on’ experience and adequately meet the educational requirements needed. They must be prepared to work long hours when necessary and meet deadlines efficiently.

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

• People management – the skill involved in not ‘taking sides’ but listening to everyone’s viewpoint.
• Patience – to understand an issue before making decisions.
• Working to deadlines – how to set a date and work towards it.
• Project management – the skill to complete a project and to involve the correct stakeholders.
• Leadership skills – in leading a team through the many challenges and changes of the HPSS.
• Change management skills.

Career Profiles