JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:Quality Improvement Fellowships

DEPARTMENT: Health Education Wessex and Thames Valley Wessex Leadership Academy

ACCOUNTABLE TO: TBC

BAND:Current salary or Medical Training Grade in Wessex Deanery

CONTRACT: Employer: Specified NHS Trusts within Health Education Wessex

Fixed term part-time for 12 months

JOB SUMMARY:

This programme will support the appointment of Quality Improvement Fellows across Primary Care and Provider Trusts in the geographical area covered by Health Education Wessex. The Fellows will be attached to senior clinical staff, with board level engagement and will work together on specific projects of quality improvement which have been prioritised by Health Education Wessex, commissioners and the host organisations.

Fellows will work with the agreed senior clinical lead on a quality improvement project, working at systems-level to address variability in quality of care, focussing on care pathways and service redesign. Successful delivery of the project will need multi-professional engagement within the organisation, including Medical Directors, Directors of Nursing and Service Leads.

The professional support programme will include a learning set focussing on quality improvement methods, teaching, project management and leadership development. An accompanying academic module (not accredited) will introduce fellows to the emerging science of healthcare delivery - systems based understanding and improvement of the performance of health systems. In addition, it is expected that post-holders will develop skills in service commissioning and an understanding of research which ideally would lead to the publication of research papers and posters as an outcome of the Fellowship. It will be expected that post-holders will enroll on ‘Lead and Be Led’ as well as other appropriate courses run by Wessex Deanery doing their tenure.

All post-holders will be expected to maintain a portfolio of learning and to participate in appraisal and revalidation.

The service improvement fellows would additionally play a role in leading and developing the Leadership Agenda across the region, through quarterly participation in formal meetings to review programmes and evaluations and set the direction for the future development.

GP Fellows will be expected to prepare work for publication and presentation at national or international conferences and will work towards a Postgraduate Certificate in their chosen field during their Fellowship, recognising that all improvement will involve variable degrees of educational input (eg a QI project may be entirely education-driven where that need is identified). Study leave funding will be limited to paying course fees for a single Postgraduate qualification in a field relevant to the post.

Other Fellows will have the opportunity should they so wish to pursue an academic qualification but this is not mandatory.

PROGRAMME:

  1. The programme will support up to 10 fellows for a period of 12 months (part-time) intercalated training.
  2. Successful candidates will be assigned specific quality improvement projects according to candidate’s interests, skills and strengths.
  3. Placements will be with provider Trusts and Commisisoning Groups, with the intention of equitable and representative distribution across all organisations, although not excluding more than one placement in larger organisations if there are no suitable applicants for all organisations.
  4. The location will be restricted to Health Education Wessex.
  5. Health Education Wessex, in conjunction with commissioners, will prioritise the eligible areas of quality improvement.

Key RELATIONSHIPS:

  • Associate GP Deans
  • Director of GP School and Postgraduate Dean of Wessex
  • Thames Valley Wessex Leadership Academy
  • Local Area Team and Trust staff where appropriate
  • Multidisciplinary Teams across Health Education Wessex
  • Deanery staff and educational/clinical supervisors
  • Quality improvement teams
  • All staff throughout Health Education Wessex at all levels – in particular Directors, Associate Directors, Clinical Directors, Commissioners, other Head post holders and Clinical Networks

Supervisory responsibilities/position in structure:

Health Education Wessex will work with applicants to ensure that they are appropriately supported and networked during this exciting opportunity

EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION: The post holder will be assigned an educational supervisor and will be supported by the Wessex Deanery.

CLINICAL/MANAGERIAL SUPERVISION:Clinical or managerial supervisors will be agreed to oversee day to day working in NHS organisations.

Key result areas/Responsibilities:

Action / End Result
Policy/Strategy Responsibilities
1. / Develop, in co-production with users, implement and evaluate a specific quality improvement strategy, focussing on how the clinical quality of services can be raised at the same time as demonstrably increasing productivity.
Lean thinking should be adopted as a consistent continuous improvement methodology across Health Education Wessex. Also, achieving full exploitation of the NHS Institute Better Care, Better Value indicators and similar benchmarking information will be key.
A further element will be to develop, agree and implement a Quality Improvement Communications strategy with the aim of sustaining productive relationships with all key stakeholders, engaging them in the spread of best practice and evidence based practice / Lean thinking adopted as a standard improvement methodology.
A demonstrable increase the capability and skill in improvement techniques within the Trust and a measurable improvement of services ensuring that relevant targets, and agreed improvement trajectories, are met.
An effective system to enable the early identification of issues and development of solutions. A model of engagement incorporating risk management processes.
2 / Develop and design a new programme content which is current, relevant to requirements and reflects the local application of national quality improvement policy.
Contribute to the organisations development and implementation of educational strategy arising from the interpretation of national policy/guidance reflecting evidence based practice / A system to deliver effective and appropriate multi-disciplinary education in quality improvement is available for healthcare staff.
Ensuring that the strategy reflects current educational best practice and high quality learning interventions (while ensuring value for money from external suppliers and managing risk)
3 / Ensure policy and guidance from the NHS Institute and other national bodies providing guidance on quality improvement and productivity are effectively translated and implemented locally. This would include, for example, all of the NHS Institute ‘Productive’ series the DH CQUIN initiative, and wider contract quality schedules. / The organisation is aware of and making effective use of, all relevant national guidance on improvement and productivity to deliver on the strategic aims of NHS South Central.
4 / Meet the aspirations of Health Education Wessex /

Projects will align with Health Education Wessex and Commissioning agendas

Key Tasks
1 / To lead on the provision of theoretical knowledge to the organisation in service redesign and improvement science to support improved system and process efficiency.
This may require the analysis, presentation and discussion of sensitive and/or contentious data / To challenge organisational and individual performance where required – particularly when ‘status quo’ is not a viable way of operating a service in future. Providing advice and guidance/coaching on appropriate improvement interventions and methods of implementation based on the post holder’s expert knowledge and experience as a practitioner.
2 / Disseminate learning and information in order to enhance delivery of the programme across the NHS through applying a variety of techniques and methods.
Build relationships and establish corporate engagement in the organisation. This includes Executive level agreement, clinical support and appropriate communication at a senior level and the production of a business case. / Establishing the necessary process and system structures to set standards, build a user focussed approach to delivery, ensuring robust reporting structures and regular communication to users and stakeholders.
3 / Provide regular reports to improvement project sponsors. / Operate in a Programme Management manner to ensure that all project deadlines are met and planned outcomes achieved.
Relationships/Communication Responsibilities
1 / To establish and maintain working relationships with other quality Improvement Fellows (across Health Education Wessex) / To ensure alignment of quality improvement programmes and activity, effectively maintaining prioritisation of key work programmes and avoiding duplication of effort.
Gaining stakeholder engagement for transformational change processes
2 / Educate and communicate effectively with a range of health care professionals and patients. /

Consistent, accurate communication is maintained across the service.

Demonstrably improve care outcomes and delivery systems.

3 / Promote the improvements in quality and clinical effectiveness within the resources available. / A consistent and professional service is provided at all times, to all organisations and patients.
4 / Work collaboratively to develop training programmes that meet the requirements of individual and groups of staff including the development of programmes across multiple organisations. / Generate new solutions, which will best meet the needs of service staff and patients.
Build strong, effective relationships with NHS and external providers.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

1.1.1Criteria

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1.1.2Essential

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1.1.3Desirable

Professional Qualifications, Education and Training / Graduate
ECDL or equivalent experience
Evidence of CPD
Successful completion of MRCGP (for GP Fellows) / Programme management qualification
Current registration or licence to practise in England
Project management qualification
Experience / Supporting the delivery of project and change management
Have experience of working across diverse organisations, with a range of professional, clinical and managerial stake-holders
Demonstrated understanding of the NHS and the impact of its services, environment and current issues
Undertaken audit or research projects / Recent and relevant evidence of clinical leadership role
Understanding the management of change
Teaching or delivering education in a multi-professional setting
Knowledge of service improvement methods in health and/or social care settings
Recent experience of leading audit projects
Managing complex programmes of change
Extensive experience of working with partners in a multi-agency environment.
Project management experience
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge / Knowledge of clinical governance
Excellent understanding of national NHS, and wider public sector policy
Proven ability of working in a multidisciplinary team environment and delivering team objectives
Awareness of limitations; seeks help appropriately
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in partnership with others
IT skills including use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Awareness of current initiatives and priorities within the NHS / Ability to motivate and influence others to change behaviours when there may be resistance to this.
Experience of developing user/carer involvement in the change process

Specific Aptitudes and Abilities

/ Ability to grasp critical issues and deliver them into clear and manageable priorities, assessing the risks, costs and benefits
Good communication skills, both oral and written
Ability to use initiative, in particular in relation to own job to seek improvements in working methods to enhance performance
Demonstrate personal effectiveness, self awareness and be achievement orientated in context of transformational change
Organise people and resources towards the effective and efficient pursuit of pre-determined objectives
Have an understanding of strategic health issues and recognise the potential impact on local delivery
Able to deliver projects effectively and on time / Ability to work in a complex environment and cope with competing priorities.
Confident and articulate in a range of environments
Exceptionally motivated with an ability to motivate others
Ability to meet deadlines and deliver under pressure
Able to work flexibly