Bed Manager

Job Title: Bed Manager/Nurse Supervisor

Department: Nursing Administration

Reports to: ADON Patient Flow

Date: 2025

Overall Purpose of the Bed manager

The function of the Bed Management Department is to oversee, daily admissions and bed management within Beacon Hospital. The aim is to balance the access demands of the Emergency department, add on admissions from Consultant rooms and those of urgent/non-urgent elective cases with available beds. The bed manager will be part of the team which will include, scheduling, the nursing supervisors, senior nursing management, the surgical services clinical team, the discharge coordinator and patient lounge. The aim of this team is to optimise the continuum of care by managing the patient effectively throughout the whole of their care episode, from admission into the hospital to discharge/transfer from the organisation. The process of enhancing patient management is accomplished by an improved admission process, comprehensive discharge planning and co-ordination with non-acute services.

Nurse Supervisor

To assist the Assistant Director of Nursing and the senior nurse management team in providing a high standard of care, by leading assigned nursing and support staff in provision of patient focussed care within resources and provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

The post holder will have a clinical background and will be required to liaise directly with consultants, senior nurse and hospital management and will be accountable for ensuring that the decision-making process is effective. The post holder will advise on the optimal use and cost-effective management of inpatient and day care resources for patients in accordance with the hospital business plan or service plan. Knowledge of insurance cover appropriate for admission/procedures in the hospital will be required.

Bed Management Responsibilities

The post holder will:

§ Be required to balance the demand for elective activity, unscheduled and emergency admissions.

§ Work closely with the nursing supervisor and the clinical operations team to ensure seamless bed management service.

§ Maintain an accurate bed status and clearly communicate this to operations team.

§ Ensure the timely and accurate completion of data relating to bed utilisation is available daily.

§ Contribute to the overall good of the organisation by being a positive role model and to treat all staff, visitors and service users with courtesy.

§ Carry out all of the duties listed. The duties will vary from Department to wards and they may carry out other similar duties in support of the ward environment that are not listed.

§ Regular timely reporting of bed and resource utilisation to senior management and circulating on a regular basis reports for key clinical decision makers on resource utilisation.

§ Chair forecasting meeting in order to optimise resources for the following day/week.

§ A significant and important role is in the planning and co-ordination of winter bed management and other bed management initiatives. This will include active direct participation in relevant committees.

§ Participate fully in all Health and Safety related hospital initiatives and policies.

Clinical Responsibilities

The post holder will:

§ Be expected to regularly communicate with the wards, and support junior nurse's co-ordinating the admission and transfer of patients.

§ Have a 'hands on' approach in assessing and evaluating patients care prior to transferring to the appropriate area for the patient's condition.

§ Work with all of the clinical specialities and referral services to accommodate patients who require elective admission.

§ Works closely with all members of the care coordination team, to promote the effective and safe discharge of patients from the hospital.

§ Understand all points of access into the hospital for patients and be able to deal with competing interests.

§ Liaise effectively with consultants and their support staff, emergency department staff, nursing management and other staff as appropriate to ensure effective guidance and protocol application to all admissions, discharges and transfers across the Hospital.

§ Encourage and promote the use of evidence based clinical nursing practice.

§ Maintain a flexible approach to working hours in order to meet the needs of the service.

§ Work closely with the ED Department manager/Shift Leader to the safe and appropriate allocation of all emergency patients' allocation.

§ Ensures that patient care is based upon the Nursing process and relationship-based care.

§ Respond to all Code Blue situations and emergencies, uses judgement and acts effectively in an emergency situation.

§ Visits all departments involved in patient care.

§ Monitors compliance with standards of care by observation, verbal reports and written documentation.

§ Counsels or guides patients, families and staff as needed.

§ Demonstrates knowledge and application of principles of safety, infection control, hazardous materials, waste program and universal precautions.

§ Adheres to all hospital policies, including General data protection requirements, privacy and confidentiality in all aspects of their role.

§ Serves as a role model in the evaluation and revision of patient care delivery systems.

§ Makes patient care assignments based on patient's needs (acuity) and according to the skill and competency levels of staff members.

§ Manages problems related to patient and family satisfaction in a sensitive and courteous manner.

§ Anticipates potential conflicts and implements plan of action. 

§ Independently implements problem-solving skills and evaluates effectiveness.

§ Identifies problems and provides information in promoting effective working relationships with other departments in the hospital.

§ Communicates appropriately and gives accurate information to patient and family.

§ Delegate team assignments based on staff competency level and patient acuity levels.

§ Modifies patient care assignments on a continuous basis to accommodate changing patient care needs.

§ Work effectively with consultants, department managers, care coordination team, senior nursing and other senior clinical staff.

Management & Leadership

§ To assist with the direction and supervision of the nursing and allied service to ensure that a high level of patient care is provided at all times.

§ To assist in the management and co-ordination of the activities of the nursing and non-nursing services within the hospital.

§ To improve and maintain morale amongst staff by effective leadership, consultation and communication.

§ To participate in team meetings and other relevant forums.

§ To investigate serious incidents, accidents and complaints as directed, and report accordingly.

§ The post holder will be familiar with and adhere to The Professional Scope of Practice Framework (Nurses and Midwifery Board of Ireland).

§ To assist in the management of staff rostering to ensure that resources are deployed effectively and efficiently to meet patient care demands with an emphasis on cost management.

§ To assist the Assistant Director of nursing and the senior nurse management team in the preparation of accurate annual estimates of resource requirements and to assist with the control of expenditure within budget.

§ To maintain necessary records and furnish such reports and returns as may be required from time to time.

§ To establish and monitor stock limits and to ensure an effective use of stocks.

§ To organise bed management and patient allocation to appropriate units.

§ The post holder will partake in the Total Quality Management processes thereby contributing to:

§ The identification of quality, policy and guideline issues.

§ The evaluation of current practices to best practice.

§ The setting of standards utilising structure, process and outcome.

§ All hospital, regional and national audit processes.

§ The Hospital Wide Accreditation Cycle.

Administrative/ Information Technology

§ Be proficient in Meditech's Scheduling/Admissions/Theatre modules and related software.

§ Be aware of IT specific requirements in the scheduling department to comply with The Data Protection Act 2018.

§ Be aware of 'IT Meditech Downtime Policy' and be able to put into effect if required.

Qualifications

§ Degree in Nursing and registered with NMBI

§ Excellent organisational skills.

§ Excellent IT skills.

Experience

§ At least 5 years clinical experience in an acute setting

§ Management experience is desirable

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

§ Must possess good decision-making ability, and a capacity for analytical thinking and problem-solving.

§ Be capable of communicating effectively and courteously with a wide variety of departments and individuals, including hospital consultants, senior nursing staff, and hospital management.

§ She/he should have a strong awareness of the need for confidentiality, discretion, precision, and a methodical approach in all matters.

§ An ability to maintain motivation to get things done with attention to detail, within the constraints of a busy hospital.

Personal Competencies

§ All posts in Beacon Hospital require a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service in a developing environment. The post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager.

§ Ability to play an active part in the multi-disciplinary team.

§ Be self-motivated with a high capacity for responsibility and individual initiative.

§ Demonstrate an ability to prioritise work and handle large volumes of activity.

This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.