Operational Lead for EPRR)
Job Description
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint an Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Operational Lead within Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT).
The post holder will be part of the Nursing and Quality Directorate and is expected to work across the Trust, providing professional and managerial leadership of an efficient, effective and high-quality EPRR work programme to ensure it meets all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements as well as delivering an effective and coordinated response to adverse events, major incidents and emergencies as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act (2004).
You should be a self-motivated, innovative and flexible person with excellent communication and organisation skills. You should have a Diploma in Health Emergency Planning (RSPH Level 4), or working towards, or educated to, degree level with specialist knowledge in EPRR. A good working understanding of community health and social care environments and the roles and responsibilities within it are desirable.
We are a small, hardworking and friendly team so if you think this role is for you and you would like to come and join us, then we would be happy to receive your application.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for supporting the delivery of workstreams to prepare for and achieve an effective, coordinated response to adverse events, major incidents, and emergencies as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act (2004).
Provide policy and problem-solving expertise to support the development of key EPRR policies with organisation-wide impact.
Support the delivery of EPRR training and exercising programmes to enhance individual, team, and organisational capability and resilience, while contributing to Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) and Local Health Resilience Partnerships (LHRPs) alongside the Head of EPRR.
Maintain effective communication and working relationships with Operational Leads, NHSE EPRR leads, commissioners, and provider organisations to support planning, response, and statutory compliance.
Undertake the lead operational role within the Incident Coordination Centre, coordinating responses to incidents affecting health and social care.
Act as an EPRR Tactical Advisor during emergencies and major disruptive events, providing support to Tactical and Strategic Commanders.
Work with EPRR and LRF partners to ensure continuous improvement of incident management processes through lessons identified and learned.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national, NHS, and emergency services strategies relating to civil protection, supporting the Head of EPRR in interpreting requirements and ensuring Trust compliance and alignment.
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job responsibilities
This vacancy is only open at this stage to internal employees of the following organisations within the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System:
- Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, inclusive of Black Country Procurement Group and North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service.
- Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board.
This role isnot eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
- Provide specialist advice and support as appropriate to all services in developing and maintaining Emergency Planning, Business Continuity, policies and procedures ensuring that plans are adapted to reflect changing circumstances
- Lead on service level Business Continuity Planning enabling staff to complete plans and use them accordingly during any disruptive incidents
- Support the Trusts response to and recovery from incidents and/or emergencies including participation in a multi-agency response where appropriate
- Collate evidence for the completion of MPFTs self-assessment against the NHS EPRR Framework Core Standards and support the Head of EPRR to prepare for the confirm and challenge process
- Provide coordination of and participate in the relevant multi-disciplinary EPRR working and oversight groups providing project advice, expertise and support where required
- Write and deliver training to a wide range of staff both face to face and virtually
- Train senior managers across the Trust to prepare them for on-call duties and response to major incidents and business continuity incidents
- Ensure that on-call staff receive timely and relevant information including the on-call pack, weekend resilience plans and use of any technology to enable access from any available portals
- Write Trust plans which comply with NHS core standards for EPRR e.g. Severe weather, Evacuation, Incident Response Plan etc.
- Operationally manage the EPRR Admin Officer including allocation of work and supervision
- Write and present reports internally, responding to queries as appropriate
- Provide expertise for the development of key EPRR policies which impact across the Trust
- Contribute to the financial delivery of the EPRR function ensuring it is cost effective and delivered on time
- Provide cover for other members of the team as appropriate to ensure an effective service is provided
- Facilitate and support structured debrief sessions ensuring that any lessons learnt from incidents are logged and monitored and any actions have been completed in the required timescales
- Complete sit-reps, as required for internal and external purposes, that reflect the whole organisation
- Carry out audits, surveys and development plans within own working area
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma in Health Emergency Planning (RSPH Level 4) or Educated to degree level with specialist knowledge in EPRR
Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of EPRR from previous experience in a similar role
- Experience in preparing, developing, testing and reviewing emergency plans and procedures.
- Experience using Microsoft Office, including, Excel, Word, etc
- Experience of delivering training
- Experience of collecting and evaluating complex information from different sources complemented by ability to analyse and present information to professionals
Desirable
- A good working understanding of community health and social care environments and the roles and responsibilities within it.
- Experience in a clinical role
- Experience in use of Government platforms including Resilience Direct, SDCS etc
- Experience in incident/exercise debriefing.
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and its duties, Department of Health Emergency Planning Guidance 2005, and Department of Health guidance on EPRR related subject matter
- Understanding the role of the Trust and other NHS organisations in emergency preparedness.
- Understanding the requirements of the NHS EPRR Core Standards.
- Excellent administration, organisational and communication skills
- Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
- Ability to produce written reports to a high standard
- Ability to liaise effectively with people at all levels of the organisation as well as with external partners
- Independent thinker with proven good judgement, problem solving and analytical skills ...
