Apprentice Patient Choice FacilitatorAbout us in Plymouth

The Devon System are working together to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

As a system, we face considerable challenges and as we move into the future, we will need to focus on a number of key areas including:

• Seek solutions that work for the system as a whole.
• Standardise practice and services where it makes sense to do so.
• Focus on cost reduction and cost containment.
• Recognise that participation will be required at system, locality, neighbourhood and organisational level on the priority areas.
• Invest in out of hospital models which are right care in the right place.
• Ensure equitable distribution of funding and outcomes by locality.
• Prevent investments that total more than the funding allocation growth received into the system.
• Consider financial decisions alongside quality, safety and any impact on patient experience of care.
• Share risks and benefits across the system and ensure they are fully understood by all parties.

As part of the Devon System, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group is one of the biggest CCGs in England, serving a patient population of nearly 1.2 million people with a budget of more than £1.8 billion and is a key component of our Devon Health and Care System.

We plan local healthcare and buy services, including acute, community, mental health and ambulance services.

Our diverse area of operation includes the cities of Plymouth and Exeter, remote rural areas such as Exmoor and Dartmoor, and coastal areas including Torbay and Ilfracombe. We work closely with three main local authorities: Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council.

We work with our local communities and other partners in our area, to improve people’s health and make sure they can receive high quality, local services.

We face considerable challenges and to tackle these we have six shared ambitions as a system for the next ten years:

1. Effective and efficient care
2. Integrated Care Model
3. A Devon-wide deal
4. Children and young people
5. Digital Devon
6. Equally Well

Devon Referral Support Service (DRSS) are delighted to be offering an exciting opportunity to join their Newton Abbot office as a Business Administration Apprentice.

A Business Administration qualification opens a world of opportunity and roles to an individual undertaking it.

Since DRSS first apprentice in April 2010, we have had 107 colleagues complete the apprenticeship scheme. After gaining a qualification, (NVQ Level 3 in Business and Administration), and a host of new skills and experiences, 99 % of staff have subsequently been promoted into a full time band 3 role as a Patient Choice Facilitator. DRSS like to develop our staff, and we have had 13 former apprentices promoted to band 4 roles, as either a Team Leader, or an Assistant Project & Delivery manager. We have also had 4 staff promoted to band 5 roles within DRSS.

DRSS also run a successful patient facing website named My Health Devon which has attracted 100,000 users since its launch in 2018 and gives more information about the service we provide in the Devon area. Here you can also read more about the role through our ‘day in the life of’ article, which details first-hand experience on what to expect as an apprentice at DRSS.

As part of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (Devon CCG), DRSS helps patients make informed choices regarding the next step in their healthcare journey. We are the first point of contact for patients to book their outpatient appointments at a range of locations across Devon. We are looking for someone who is keen to learn and engage with all sectors of the business, to support the day to day function of the NHS telephone contact and referral management centre.

Most of the role will be telephone-based therefore we require a highly motivated, customer-orientated individual with excellent communication skills and a good telephone manner.

As many tasks will involve keyboard entry, accurate keyboard skills, a calm, focussed attitude and the ability to record data and information accurately, are required.

You will be required to undertake the Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration supported by PGL Training Ltd. Therefore, there is a possibility that the successful candidate may be required to travel to the offices of the training provider in Exeter on occasion.

The successful candidate will have evidence of GCSE's in Maths and English in the A*-C range (or equivalent), however, an initial assessment at PGL interview will be undertaken to establish current level.

Applications for this apprenticeship are being processed by DRSS via NHS Jobs. Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend for an initial interview and assessment with PGL at their office in Exeter and then a further CCG interview with DRSS at their office in Newton Abbot.

Please note- this role has been advertised previously and therefore previous applications have already been fully considered for this role. Any previous applicants within the last 3 months need not apply.