Gurinder Singh

Acting as first point of contact within the Risk Management Department for inquiries and requests for data analysis, risk assessments, investigations and advise; administering the Trust Incident Database and Risk Register systems (Datix, and previously Ulysses Safeguard), and systems facilitator for the Complaints, Claims and PALS departments; fulfilling requests for ad-hoc statistics and reports from Ward/Clinical Managers and Senior Directors; assisting (administratively) the Governance/Risk Managers on risk assessments; undertaking monthly pressure sore and patient-falls audits; processing and following up actions of the Trust Patient Safety Committee (particularly Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations) and Corporate Risk Register Committee; facilitating the Safety Alert Broadcast System (SABS) for the Trust; typing and filing of general correspondence and reports, and managing the filing and retrieval system for the Trust Incident Reports library.

TEAMWORKING: As the Datix systems administrator and de-facto Data Analyst within the Governance Directorate at Darent Valley Hospital my responsibilities are to contribute to, and work closely with, the departments of Risk, Complaints, Legal Services, and Clinical/Ward areas. I assist members of these departments in collecting, recording and reporting data via a centralised database system, which I administer. This requires on-going training and systems support for users across the Directorate, and regular liaison with the department managers to determine changes in their system and reporting requirements, and to evaluate existing reporting schedules. In addition, I assist Directorate members during periods of pressure or staff vacation by - fielding telephone enquiries, answering correspondence, committee servicing, data input, photocopying and faxing, and any other general administrative duties when requested.

SELF-MANAGEMENT: Some aspects of my work within the Trust require immediate response to requests for information from Ward Managers, Clinical Directors and minutes or follow-up actions from Committee chairmen. Although at times this necessitates a rapid reorganisation of routine duties, I endeavour to maintain the highest attention to detail when preparing responses, as I am constantly aware of the implications of wrong data and information upon patient care and outcomes. Furthermore, whenever inducting new administrative colleagues, or supervising junior clerical staff, I instil in them the utmost importance their work has, and their responsibility to, the ultimate well-being and care of patients - no matter how far removed they may feel their work is, from an administrative perspective, regarding clinical care and patient well-being.

ORGANISATION SKILLS: During the implementation of a new complaints database system I was required to assist in the running of the Complaints Department. My responsibilities were to ensure that front-line office and data systems were running smoothly, whilst the Trust's Complaints Manager and the departmental staff dealt with an increased volume of inquiries. Specifically, I initiated, maintained and updated the departmental database system, provided on the job training to complaints staff on the new system, and assisted with the administration of the complaints investigation process. This required speedy familiarisation with the department's procedures and protocols, and effective implementation of the system as quickly as possible.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: One of my projects at Darent Valley Hospital was to redesign and implement a new incident reporting form. The redesign was undertaken in consultation with numerous clinical staff. The implementation process I initiated with a series of training seminars, which introduced the new forms, educated staff on the Trust's incident reporting policy, and highlighted the importance of Risk management in the Clinical environment. I followed up these seminars with individual training were required, and acted as first point of contact for queries regarding reporting procedures, and suggestions for improvement. An important aspect of the reporting process was provision of data analysis to staff, in order to identify potential risk areas and implement changes in clinical practices where necessary.

RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY & CUSTOMER FOCUS: When undertaking risk investigations the highest degrees of confidentiality, impartiality and diligence were required during liaison with clinical staff and patients. When a risk has was identified clinical managers were informed that a formal risk investigation would be undertaken with specific parameters and scope. During the investigation, information was shared with relevant nursing and medical staff, patient records, and where possible the patients or relatives, in order to establish the level of risk, frequency of occurrence and the possible outcomes. Following the investigation, managers and clinical staff were counselled on how to manage and ultimately reduce the risk(s). Subsequent liaison with ward staff was maintained via monthly risk meetings in order to monitor the actions and establish their effectiveness.

SKILLS I CAN BRING TO NHS GOVERNANCE & CLINICAL RISK MANAGEMENT: As you will see from my employment history my experience in healthcare-care and general administration has given me the required skills and abilities to make a committed contribution to the work of any Governance and Risk Management team. I have excellent working knowledge of modern IT systems, team leadership and problem solving skills useful in any administrative environment. I hold an honours degree in Mathematics and Physics which has given me the ability to solve complex problems, particularly those of an analytical nature, and extensive experience of large-scale data management systems. I am able to research information effectively and to express my ideas in a logical and coherent way. I am a creative person who enjoys all variety of challenges and contact with people, and although I particularly enjoy working as part of a team, I have the ability to assume sole responsibility for a problem.

Datix Certified Professional (DCP) - RLDatix Systems Ltd

BSc (Hons) Mathematics & Physics (2:1) - University College London