About this role
Job summary
1. Engage with staff and patients to ensure everyone knows about QI and feels empowered and energised to see improving care as a key part of their role.2. Build improvement capability through a programme of QI education to enable staff to lead, champion and coach QI activities and initiatives within their teams.3. Support teams to deliver focused QI projects and programmes which are co-designed with patients, service-users and the public.4. Embed consistent and rigorous improvement methods when addressing all practical problems and strategic opportunities within the organisation.
The post holder, will provide expertise in improvement methodology and measurement. They will be responsible for the delivery of a trust-wide QI education programme, provision of support and guidance to staff members conducting QI projects, promoting engagement in QI, monitoring QI activities and outputs and promoting the spread of learning from QI activities to other departments.
The post holder will play an instrumental role in providing corporate leadership and support for a portfolio of improvement projects, promoting clinical engagement in QI amongst our staff and ensuring that learning from QI projects is shared and spread.
The post holder will work with senior leaders in the organisation to develop and enable quality improvement within the Trust.
Main duties of the job
o Support ongoing development and implementation of the Quality Improvement (QI) strategy and review on a yearly basiso Lead on the Whittington Health QI programmeo Contribute and collaborate on Quality Account Priorities and goals, actively leading on relevant projects that form part of the Quality Account Prioritieso Provide leadership and improvement expertise for an allocated set of QI projects to maximise engagement, impact and learning. o Design and deliver teaching in QI on a Trust-wide basis, building organisational QI capacity and capability with other key staffo Act as an organisational expert on key elements of the IHI Model for Improvement QI methodology e.g. use of data and measurement in QIo Act to maximise the following; co-design and co-production of QI projects with patients, clients and services users engaged in QI activity, communication of QI project outcomes and fostering topic based or service-based QI collaborations.o Seek out opportunities and represent the Trust QI function at internal and external events and networks. Develop relationships with NCL QI collaborative and UCLP academic health science network.
About us
We have an excellent reputation for being innovative, responsive and flexible to the changing clinical needs of the local population. We are treating more patients than ever before and are dedicated to improving services to deliver the best for our patients.
Our missionHelping local people live longer, healthier lives.
Our visionProvide safe, personal, co-ordinated care for the community we serve.
Our goalsWe have developed six key strategic goals to make sure we continue to support people to live longer, healthier lives.
o To secure the best possible health and wellbeing for all our communityo To integrate and coordinate care in person-centred teamso To deliver consistent, high quality, safe serviceso To support our patients and users in being active partners in their careo To be recognised as a leader in the fields of medical and multi-professional education, and population-based clinical researcho To innovate and continuously improve the quality of our services to deliver the best outcomes for our local population
Job description Job responsibilities
1. Provide operational QI leadership and expertise across the trust. Lead on the QI programme, designing and delivering changes and developments with a Trust-wide impact. Monitor and evolve the QI programme including new ways of working, agreeing and adjusting plans as required. Scope QI initiatives to establish boundaries of the project (and exclusions where appropriate), current state in service provision and develop desired future state. Ensure majority of QI projects develop and use patient and public engagement methodologies. Ensure majority of QI projects promote financial efficiency and productivity benefits. Ensure robust data analysis is used to diagnose gaps and support solution development. Plan and lead QI workshops and QI clinics bringing together diverse groups of staff in a controlled environment to motivate change. Lead on development and execution of communication plans to ensure consistent messages are used to drive improvements and that benefits for patients, staff and the organisation are clearly defined. Regularly interrogate QI project register to ensure themes and outcomes captured and shared. Assist in building, revitalising and maintaining network(s) of QI faculty members to provide peer support to staff undertaking QI projects and initiatives. Work closely with the Quality Governance team to develop and deliver Quality Account priorities and projects
2. Act as an organisational expert on the use of data and measurement for QI Provide expert advice and where necessary, leadership, to staff at all levels in the organisation and on using data and measurement for improvement. This will involve reviewing complex data sets and formulating and amending strategies where there may be more than one course of action. Coach QI/audit leads, clinical and service directors and other directorate staff on analysing and interpreting data for improvement. This will involve reviewing complex data sets and formulating and amending strategies where there may be more than one course of action. Promote and support the publication of Trust QI work using data for improvement.
3. Management support QI projects in all ICSUs across the Trust. Provide high level improvement expertise, leadership and coaching as required to project teams, QI sponsors and any other stakeholders involved in improvement work. Assist senior management to design and embed a structure to allow high priority improvement projects to be supported and thrive within existing infrastructure. Design any specialist learning events and publications that may be required to facilitate the progress of the QI projects and raise awareness of QI project outcomes. Attend project team or any other meetings relevant to the delivery of the projects aims. In each QI project with which they are involved, the post holder will work closely with operational and clinical leaders to:o Develop and agree the objective of the QI project.o Agree and record desired outcome and process tracking metrics.o Develop and implement tests of change using Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology.o Manage risks associated with project delivery, in partnership with project operational leads and team, develop and execute controls and mitigations so that project delivery is in line with agreed timescales, escalating where appropriate.o Co-ordinate project administration and ensure regular reviews of progress occur e.g. driver diagrams, action plans, progress reports.o Lead project communications, including development of posters, presentations, publications and use of social and other media.o Ensure that allocated project plan(s) are kept updated and regular reports provided to the Associate Director of Quality Governance, Clinical Effectiveness, Patient Safety and Patient Experience Commitees and other relevant executives and committees as required. Monitor progress of high priority projects and collaborate with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure progress in improvement work is maintained. Develop and foster relationships with staff in these project teams and manage these relationships such that team members proactively seek support. Actively engage clinical and non-clinical stakeholders who may be key to the project(s) achieving its aim(s). Collate and present information relating to the progress of these projects at internal and external forums and meetings. Coach and facilitate improvement project teams to promote and publish work being undertaken.
4. Design and deliver teaching in QI on a Trust-wide basis. Help support the development of QI capacity and capability within the organisation. Teach improvement science, including the use of measurement and data, at internal training events as required. These include, but are not limited to QI Enabled programme and bespoke learning events. Co-produce teaching and briefing materials and agendas/course training plans for training events. Evaluate and continue to develop in-house training, coaching and peer support packages on QI. Research and adapt Model for Improvement resources for use in service specific and Trust-wide learning and development activities. Develop and implement methods of assessing the impact and outcome from teaching, learning and development activities.
5. Support the development and deployment of the QI strategy Support the development of improvement priorities in line with the business planning cycle in the Trust. Support ICSUs to integrate QI into their quality, service delivery and cost improvement plans. Ensure majority of QI projects are patient centred and involve patient/carer representation in their design and implementation. Assist in engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to shape the Trust QI strategy and implementation plan. This will involve analysing and interpreting data in order to prioritise service improvements. Present highly sensitive and contentious information to a variety of audiences such as patients/clients and staff at all levels, including at Executive Board level as well as to external organisations.
6. Represent the Trust QI Programme at internal and external events Co-ordinate, create and present materials on the QI programme or any of its constituent parts at internal and external events, conferences, and awards as required. Collaborate with Quality Governance Team members and relevant network members as required to prepare and present any of this content. Coach, provide expert advice and encourage services and staff members to share findings form QI activities in internal and external forums.
7. Staff management and development Facilitate the personal and professional development of staff. This involves identifying training and development needs, providing suitable development opportunities and evaluating development actions in accordance with the Trusts appraisal and training procedures. Seek out opportunities for topic or service-based collaborations, encourage, facilitate and support Trust staff participation in these collaborations, ensuring that lessons and materials are captured and shared widely.Monitor the level and standard of work undertaken by staff and guide, coach and advise them as appropriate. Provide briefing prior to and debriefing after all training and development activities. Take on a leadership role and supervise staff, students and other personnel as required by the service. Develop and maintain knowledge and links on how participation in QI activities contributes to clinical staff re-validation and trust staff Personal Development Reviews and plans.
8. Financial Management Assess the training required to deliver QI projects, conduct comparative analysis of training courses and commission appropriate courses to meet those needs in a cost-effective manner ensuring the Trust obtains best value. Research and adapt financial models relevant to assessing the costs and benefits of improved service delivery in QI projects as appropriate. Be responsible for the procurement of supplies for the service, as and when required, in line with Trust processes.
9. General responsibilities Plan and prioritise own work to ensure effective support to all areas and delivery of key objectives. Conduct all activity with an awareness of the potentially sensitive and/or contentious nature of information about patients, staff, other organisations and work processes.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Experience relevant to Quality Improvement. Experience in teaching Quality Improvement. Experience of working with managers and clinicians at a senior level. Well-developed leadership skills. Practice change through the application of evidence or research base. Experience of change management. Experience of multi-disciplinary working. Innovative approach to practice. Adaptable and responsive to change Understand quality assurance and clinical competencies.
Qualifications Essential
Educated to Masters Level or equivalent level of experience Management/leadership qualification/ experience. Evidence of continuing professional development. Evidence or experience of Quality Improvement. Has received a formal education in Quality Improvement. Highly developed leadership, negotiation and coaching skills.
Desirable
Teaching qualification.
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and understanding of Quality Improvement. Ability to assimilate and analyse information, eg. range of data to adapt QI activity planning and provision. Knowledge of current clinical evidence-based practice and professional issues. Well-developed IT skills and ability to understand and support implementation of IT systems and specify reporting requirements where accuracy is essential which may require long periods of concentration. Highly developed influencing, facilitating and negotiation skills. Work in an advisory capacity for revision of systems and processes that will affect procedural documents. Ability to develop and interpret strategic and operational service plans, strategies and policies in order to influence future practice that is sustainable. Ability to audit and monitor the Quality Improvement strategy and any revised policies. Ability and requirement to write comprehensive, in depth reports for assurance committees and the Trust board when requested. Demonstrable leadership skills and qualities. Knowledge of Quality Account
Personal Skills Essential
The ability to work to tight deadlines, prioritising and initiating own workload. To take personal responsibility for your own professional development. Interest and enthusiasm for developing this role. Highly developed motivational, influencing and negotiating skills, from stakeholder to Board level. High level of interpersonal skills. Innovative approach to practice - adaptable and responsive to change. Extensive network of peer, knowledge sources and contacts. Able to work effectively within a team environment, closely and harmoniously with others and actively seek to build effective and helpful relationships. Self-motivated. Maintain own PDP Organised. Innovative problem solver.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Address Whittington Health NHS Trust
Magdala Avenue
London
N19 5NF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)