Inpatient Team Leader

Overview

Job Objective/Purpose To provide clinical and operational leadership across Inpatient Services, ensuring safe, high-quality and efficient patient care, effective patient flow, optimal utilization of medical and procedural resources, strong multidisciplinary and specialist coordination, achievement of operational and quality performance indicators, and continuous improvement in clinical outcomes and patient experience. The Inpatient Team Leader will provide direct leadership to the inpatient medical officers' team. Main Responsibilities Inpatient Clinical Operations & Patient Flow Provide day-to-day clinical and operational oversight of inpatient wards, Theatre and Cath Lab, ensuring timely assessment, treatment, consultant review, procedures, transfer and discharge. Coordinate multidisciplinary management of complex patients and monitor key flow indicators (admission/discharge TAT, ALOS, delayed discharges, transfers, unplanned ICU/HDU transfers). Work with Nursing to resolve bottlenecks, address prolonged stays, and escalate significant capacity or operational risks to the Clinical operations Manager. Theatre & Cath Lab Operations and Performance Monitor Theatre and Cath Lab activity, utilization and efficiency against agreed targets, including volumes, cancellations, start-time delays, turnaround times and procedural complications. Review causes of cancellations and under utilization, ensure patients are appropriately prepared and cleared for procedures, and coordinate corrective actions. Facilitate coordination between specialists, Medical Officers, Nursing and support services, and escalate recurrent operational barriers. Clinical Quality, Patient Safety & Governance Monitor key clinical quality, patient-safety and operational metrics across wards, Theatre and Cath Lab, including mortality, complications, infections, adverse events, procedural safety, cancellations, utilization, and time-critical pathways Ensure significant incidents and near misses are reported and escalated on time, with appropriate RCA, CAPA and closure of agreed actions. Review quality indicator reports, lead or support QIPs, and participate in relevant Clinical Governance Committees to ensure actions are closed within agreed timelines. Mortality & Morbidity Management Ensure cases are identified and presented for M&M review, and support coordination of these reviews. Monitor mortality/morbidity trends, ensure recommendations are converted into owned, time-bound actions, and track closure of overdue items. Ensure unexpected deaths are promptly escalated for review and investigation, and that death reports and documentation are completed accurately and on time. Clinical Standards, Protocols & Documentation Ensure compliance with clinical protocols, Standard Treatment Guidelines, pathways and hospital policies, and help develop/review these with the Medical Services Manager, Outpatient Team Leader and specialists. Ensure completeness and timeliness of clinical documentation (admission assessments, progress notes, consultant reviews, treatment plans, procedure notes, discharge summaries). Ensure appropriate escalation of deteriorating/complex patients, and adherence to infection-control and medication-management standards. Medical Team Leadership & People Management Lead, supervise and performance-manage resident and locum Medical Officers; ensure appropriate staffing/roster coverage and manage overtime and locum spend. Monitor MO clinical performance, productivity, responsiveness, documentation and compliance; identify training gaps and coordinate development. Drive staff engagement and retention through regular meetings, timely handling of concerns, fair recognition and disciplinary processes, and a culture of accountability and teamwork. Specialist & Multidisciplinary Coordination Facilitate collaboration between Medical Officers, admitting and procedural specialists, Nursing and other multidisciplinary teams, ensuring timely specialist review and implementation of management plans. Escalate delays in specialist review or decision-making affecting patient safety, flow or experience, and work with Specialist Liaison to resolve recurring barriers. Support specialist-led service-development initiatives relating to inpatient, Theatre and Cath Lab services. Patient Experience & Communication Monitor patient-experience performance across wards, Theatre and Cath Lab, and ensure timely communication with patients and families on progress, plans, procedures and discharge. Facilitate timely resolution of complaints, analyse recurring concerns for corrective action, and ensure patient privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times. Performance Management & Continuous Improvement Provide a daily performance report highlighting key issues, emerging risks, delays, exceptions and actions requiring follow-up or escalation. Ensure identified gaps are acted upon, assigned appropriately and followed through to resolution. Monitor performance, identify gaps and trends, and ensure timely implementation and closure of corrective and improvement actions. Provide regular performance reports to the Clinical Operations Manager and ensure audit recommendations are implemented and closed within agreed timelines. Corporate Governance & Compliance Ensure compliance with Avenue Healthcare corporate governance policies and applicable regulatory requirements; prevent, identify and report suspected fraud or misconduct. Participate in regulatory, accreditation and internal/external audit activities relevant to Inpatient Services. Clinical Responsibilities Undertake clinical duties and on-call responsibilities as required and provide clinical support/escalation to Medical Officers. Maintain professional registration, licensing and mandatory clinical competencies. Private practice shall not be permitted where this remains applicable under organizational policy. Any other duty as assigned by your immediate supervisor in line with the job description Key Deliverables Safe, high-quality clinical care and efficient patient flow across inpatient wards, Theatre and Cath Lab. Effective oversight of operational performance, quality, and patient safety. Timely closure of clinical incidents and RCA/CAPA actions. High compliance with clinical standards, protocols, documentation and hospital policies. Effective leadership and performance management of the inpatient medical team. Strong specialist and multidisciplinary working relationships and improved patient experience. Delivery of measurable quality/operational improvement initiatives and timely risk escalation. Person Specification Bachelor’s degree in medical science. A valid Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentists Board License (KMPDB) will be required Updated BLS, ACLS/ATLS certificate Experience in clinical leadership Proven 3 years' experience post internship. Postgraduate qualification in healthcare management, leadership or related field. Additional training in quality improvement, patient safety or clinical governance. Demonstrated experience in clinical leadership and multidisciplinary healthcare delivery. Demonstrated experience in clinical leadership. Key Competencies Clinical leadership and judgement; patient safety and quality improvement. Performance and results management; operational problem-solving; data analysis. People leadership and performance management. Strong interpersonal, communication and multidisciplinary collaboration skills. Customer/patient focus, accountability and ethical professionalism. Attention to detail and ability to identify, escalate and act on risk Teamwork and result oriented. Customer focus, empathetic and emotional intelligence.