Principle Acquisition & Improvement Developer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Service and Business Management

Support the business to enhance and improve systems and process to support production and timely submission of information for monitoring activity together with those statutory returns that have been defined as pertaining to the division.

Support providing evidence for any potential of horizon scanning within the group, or other relevant teams/personnel where the benefit will be realised within the group.

• Proactively engaging with colleagues and other key contacts to achieve a shared understanding of information requirements and support the development of effective working relationships.

• Producing a range of standard management reports and inputs to the development of new reports for varying audiences such as the Board and other relevant management boards and committees.

• Developing routine and ad hoc reports presented in a clear, digestible, and useable format to meet the information requirements of the stakeholder(s).

• Collating, analysing and interpreting clinical and management information from a wide variety of sources and across a range of operational services.

• Managing projects where appropriate to develop and implement data collection processes and produce information to meet defined reporting and information requirements. Interrogating information systems using database query tools/reporting packages and creating complex queries to meet specific information requests.

• Developing innovative ways of presenting highly complex information so that it is clear and understandable.

• Developing and implementing training/facilitation packages on data sources, definitions, information and data analysis techniques, ensuring content and methods of delivery are appropriate to the various audiences.

• Implementing processes to investigate data errors, identifying and analysing sources of variations or errors in information reports, monitoring and auditing data quality and working with services to improve the quality and integrity of the information in the Patient Administration System (PAS) with significant impact on patient care and finances.

• Supporting managers and clinicians in their use and interpretation of information and promoting a culture of good data quality and effective use of information.

• Sourcing information and keeping up-to-date on new data sources to support benchmarking and project work.

• Regularly undertakes audits to measure/benchmark health outcomes and service indicators to identify variations or areas requiring improvement.

• Ensuring information is processed in accordance with Information Governance Policy.

• Continuously developing and improving knowledge and skills in a range of data analysis techniques and presentation

• Representing Health Intelligence at any meeting that is deemed appropriate, contributing to outcomes and maintaining the reputation of the department

• Proactively developing and maintaining effective liaison and communication with key stakeholders to provide an analysis function and ensuring requirements for information are met within an agreed framework.

• Developing collaborative partnerships and effective working relationships with colleagues in other teams/directorates and healthcare organisations to deliver a cohesive approach to the provision and use of information.

• Working with senior colleagues in shaping strategy and policy for the Information Service, promoting a culture of evidence based decision making. This will include identifying and proposing changes to information policies and procedures and working with cross-professional groups advising on new data collection

• Undertaking other tasks as required by the Analytics and Visualisation Manager

Other Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and evolve various improvement monitoring reports developed in Microsoft T-SQL.

• Develop and maintain real-time reporting as deemed appropriate

• Create and load the necessary data in any scenario modelling tool that may be beneficial for any improvement programme

• Have a working knowledge and understanding Acute datasets

• Lead on the development of Information Systems within the organisation utilising Microsoft T-SQL, SSIS and other business intelligence tools.

• Liaise with information colleagues, internal and external, regarding data quality issues.

• Communicate highly complex analytical matters to other professionals and advise accordingly.

• Required to work on your own initiative and manage your own workload accordingly taking advice from the Head of Health Intelligence

• Be aware of and comply with legislation and data quality policies and procedures.

• Interrogate information systems using database query tools/reporting packages and create complex queries to meet specific information requests.

• Proactively engage with colleagues and other key contacts to achieve a shared understanding of information requirements and support the development of effective working relationships

• Represent the Health Intelligence at meetings as appropriate.

• The role is expected to provide mentoring to junior colleagues in the department based on their individual career developmental pathways and aspirations. This will involve delivering specialist training.

• Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Health Intelligence/ Analytics and Visualisation Manager.

Systems and Governance

To have complete knowledge of existing Data Set Changes Notices (DSCNs) and Information Standard Notices (ISNs) that pertain to support the analytics and reporting activities as deemed appropriate; ensuring that knowledge is accurately and efficiently shared with peers in the department and relevant stakeholders. To provide interpretation and initiate discussions with operational colleagues to ensure relevant new data requirements are met and that policies are updated accordingly. Additionally, to undertake an impact analysis to articulate the perspective, risk or impact of adhering/complying.

To provide recommendations on data sources, analytical techniques and sampling theory to support research and surveys.

Staff Management

The role will involve the management of junior and support staff enabling analytic and reporting delivery for the Division and overall performance of the divisional team. Additionally, the role will be responsible for statutory reporting where it is deemed as pertaining to the Division.

To take responsibility for ensuring that all staff under their managerial responsibility:

• Are adequately supervised (such that activities are monitored to ensure accuracy and validity, the identification of developmental needs and that staff responsibilities are met)

• Have workloads, where possible, that are appropriate to the individual (ensuring internal rotation of duties to enable the maximum coverage of work and skills in the absence of personnel)

• Have workloads, where possible, co-ordinated well in advance

• Actively monitor submissions for data quality, validity and errors

• Receive individual appraisals in line with Trust policy, including formulation of Personal Development Plans.

• Receive the maximum amount of autonomy given to staff within agreed boundaries in order to encourage decision-making at the lowest level but compatible with individual competences and agreed levels of accountability.

• Are encouraged to foster an open, no blame culture in which staff can bring their expertise to bear on resolving a problem or addressing an issue.

Professional / Personal Development

The post holder will need to develop and maintain their own knowledge of developments and legislation relevant to the service area and ensure that each function reflects current professional guidance and standards.

The post holder will take responsibility for his or her own professional development, identifying training and educational needs and agreeing ways of addressing these with the Group Head of Health Intelligence.

Job Requirements

• We support distributed and flexible working arrangements, however, subject to business needs, there may be a requirement to travel between the Kettering and Northampton Hospital sites and other sites across the Group and ICS.

• Frequent VDU use is required for this post for extended periods

• Frequent, occasionally prolonged concentration will be required on a wide variety of complex issues throughout the day. The post holder will frequently have to adapt to changing priorities and re-focus the work of self and others on new priority areas that may require urgent action.

• The post holder will participate in and facilitate meetings, which require a high level of concentration on a wide range of topics, with a variety of audiences and mixtures of attendees.

• There will also be a requirement to present highly complex information at meetings which may be to large groups and will require the individual to have frequent concentration to ensure that there is active engagement in the subject matter at hand.

• The role will require daily negotiation with senior NHS professionals, directors and managers in a financially constrained health economy issues that have a significant impact on the quality and quantity of Services, challenging practice and established management processes.

• The post holder will also be expected to deal positively and promptly with staff concerns and personal problems, challenge staff on any inappropriate behaviours or poor performance and investigate and deal with complaints as required.

• Exposure to unpleasant working conditions or hazards is rare.

• Office conditions with regular requirement to travel

Person Specification

Education, Training & Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent level of education, training or experience
• Substantial practical working experience in an information or performance related role/discipline
• Substantial recent experience of working in NHS Informatics/Performance management
• Academic knowledge of the theory of database concepts & design

• Project management qualification or experience

Knowledge & Experience

• Highly developed specialist knowledge of working with health information systems, with proven ability to keep fully informed about emerging technology
• Substantial technical Database Administration experience gained within a busy IT operations department
• Extensive database management skills
• Experience of troubleshooting technical and performance problems with SQL Server architectures
• Has demonstrable experience/ability in the analysis of complex user and systems requirements and the translation of these requirements into the successful design, build, and implementation of information systems
• Working knowledge and experience of using staging, integration, presentation and semantic layers in the production of analytics and dashboard creation
• Technical expertise in all the areas covered by a data management department
• In depth knowledge of Microsoft Products
• Highly developed specialist knowledge of MS SQL Business Intelligence tools
• Knowledge of NHS Information flows and requirements
• Knowledge and experience of statutory reporting
• Extensive knowledge of NHS Data Definitions, Standards, Data Manual and statutory requirements
• Proven experience of resolving urgent, complex technical problems in live systems in a structured and consistent manner and in a way that minimizes risk to systems, patients and staff
• Knowledge and experience of understanding user needs, seeking feedback and utilising user research methods to improve reporting, analytics and insight delivery
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, organise and prioritise workload according to the demands of conflicting and unpredictable requests
• Responsibility for patient confidentiality issues, ensuring data protection act is adhered to
• Possess excellent communication skills in order to provide and receive information which may be complex
• Working knowledge and experience of working with data quality teams to improve the quality of data at source
• Working at a senior level to effectively lead a specialist team
• Experience of staff management including personal development reviews and recruitment
• Experience of delivering presentations to large and diverse groups
• Experience of developing policies and procedures.
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams
• Detailed knowledge and application of performance management tools and techniques and the development and use of balanced scorecards / dashboards
• Experience of implementing change
• Experience of dealing with National NHS organisations such as the Department of Health and Social Care and CCGs
• Significant working knowledge and experience of populating a data model that supports a real-time dashboard for operational/clinical management
• Working knowledge of decision-oriented data warehousing
• Working knowledge and experience of the Star and Snowflake schemas and when each may be applied for optimum outcomes
• Working knowledge and experience of building incremental, iterative and collaborative data models
• Experience in writing parameterised stored procedures
• Working knowledge and experience of creating functions in SQL
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Azure environments
• Working knowledge and experience of linear regression
• Working knowledge and experience of SQL Server SSIS
• Working knowledge of analytic functions in SQL
• Working knowledge of integrating Power BI reports with multiple data sources
• Working knowledge and experience of SPC charts, technical data models, writing DAX queries, creating calculations and measures, bespoke functions and integrating multiple data sources in Power BI
• Working knowledge and understanding of NHS policy and its relevance to commissioning and contracting

• Knowledge of Freedom of Information Legislation, Data Protection Act etc
• Knowledge of the Information Governance agenda
• Highly developed specialist knowledge and understanding of Information Governance Toolkit especially in relation to Information Quality Assurance
• Experience of working within agile methodology
• Working knowledge of SSRS
• Working knowledge and experience in R
• Working knowledge and experienced in python

Skills

• Strong stakeholder management and networking skills including ability to manage relationships confidently with range of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to problem solve and identify/promote solutions
• Ability to use professional judgement and advise others on best practice, national guidelines and legislation on Information Management
• Ability to analyse, investigate and resolve complex problems and queries
• Ability to create reports using appropriate profiling tools - to look at validity, completeness, integrity, coverage, accuracy and timeliness
• Ability to focus in pressured situations and work effectively under pressure
• Ability to manage a substantial area of work under own initiative
• Ability to write extensive user stories
• Ability to conceptualise data models/applications and communicate to a diverse stakeholder audience including non-technical colleagues
• Ability to manage the data models of all the various layers
• Ability to build incremental data models
• Expert level proficiency in using SQL including complex correlated queries, triggers, functions, stored procedures, cursors, table value expressions
• Advance level proficiency the use of SQL Server Integration Systems (SSIS) and SQL Server Reporting Systems (SSRS)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products including advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
• Excellent skills in developing effective working relationships
• Good eye for detail
• Ability to present highly complex information to non-technical audiences
• Experienced of developing reports in Power BI
• Working knowledge and experience of query optimisation
• Substantial experience of writing SQL queries for reporting- complex correlated queries, subqueries
• Substantial experience of using SQL aggregate functions
• Ability to compile and initiate audits and present findings
• Skilled in SQL database design and maintenance
• Advanced skills in Microsoft product range
• Skill in design of data warehouse and information visualisation platforms
• Ability to communicate both in written and verbal forms with a wide range of disciplines
• Ability to use multiple statistical methods to generate insight
• Ability to work with and influence senior colleagues using negotiation and persuasion skills
• Ability to foster and maintain positive working and customer relationships
• Ability to work in a confidential manner
• Ability to recognise own and others development needs and find appropriate solutions
• Ability to respond effectively to changing priorities, to manage timeframes with the ability to meet deadlines
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Ability to think creatively and identify solutions to overcome problems
• Ability to assign server and database roles
• Ability to use recovery models in Microsoft SQL Server
• Ability backup and restore databases
• Ability to design, develop, test and implement security models
• Ability to manage alerts and notifications to provide assurance that automated processes were executed as they should
• Ability to monitor SQL Server Infrastructure
• Proven ability to mentor others

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
• Ability to analyse, summarise, interpret and present complex data
• Ability to manage an extensive and complex workload efficiently
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information and performance issues to colleagues of all grades
• Advanced and accurate keyboard skills
• Ability to interpret users' requirements and demonstrate a range of examples putting together a total package of various different information elements to fulfil a specific reporting need
• Ability to multi-tasking to work on many projects simultaneously, catering for interruptions and strict deadlines
• Ability to demonstrate a range of complex problem solving skills
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written, have the ability to communicate at all levels and be a team player
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to make decisions relating to non-routine tasks without seeking approval from managers
• Ability to undertake regular, non-routine tasks
• Assimilate and disseminate information quickly and accurately
• Quickly identify and investigate inconsistencies in data
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Sensitive to others' expectations and reactions and ability to understand their differing points of view
• Ability to travel to the Northampton Hospital site and to other sites across the Group

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville Road

Northampton

NN1 5BD

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx