THE WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL NHS TRUST



THE WHITTINGTON HOSPITAL NHS TRUST

DIRECTORATE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Job Title: Information OfficerAnalyst

(Improvement Partnership for Hospitals)

Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 (depending upon skills & exp) £14,991 - £18,236 + £2,413 London Weighting

Grade: A&C 5

(This post operates on a sliding scale A&C 5/6/7 to allow career progression)

Hours of duty: 36 hours per week

Annual Leave: 22 days per annum

Contract: 1 year fixed term or secondment

Location: The Whittington Hospital

IM&T Directorate,

Highgate Wing (Level 4)

Dartmouth Park Hill

London N19 5HTNF

Conditions of Service: In accordance with the Trust's terms and conditions of employment as laid down in the relevant Trust Handbooks.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Responsible Reports to: Information Manager

Accountable to: Assistant Director of IM&T (Information) and IPH Programme Director

Liaises with: IM&T Directorate staff (Information, Computing, PAS, Systems Development, Coding and Health RecordsIT Patient Systems; IT Development; IT Support; IT Infrastructure; Medical Coding; and Health Records)

Managers, operational staff and clinicians in all Trust Directorates

Strategic Health Authority and Primary Care Trust staff

Other NHS organisations eg. Department of HealthNHS Information Authority

Non NHS organisations eg. comparative data suppliers

Manages: No management responsibility

BACKGROUND

The Whittington Hospital has a number of modernisation projects under way and is now participating in the first wave of the NHS Modernisation Agency’s Improvement Partnership for Hospitals (IPH) programme and the Trust is committed to developing its information capability and capacity to support the IPH programme.

The Whittington Hospital is also entering an exciting phase of redevelopment that will provide new and remodelled facilities for general acute services, and for ambulatory care and clinical support services, intermediate care and maternity and paediatric services. Alongside the main hospital redevelopment, the Trust has IM&T Strategy was launched in July 2000. The strategy describes an exciting and challenging programme of work for the next five to eight years that will replace the existing PAS and other legacy systems with new systems in conjunction with the national and London Integrated Care Records Service (ICRS that will deliver the Electronic Patient Record for the Trust as well as supporting the wider Electronic Health Record. A Business Case is underway for the provision of Information Technology and Medical Equipment to deliver the IM&T strategy and to meet Information for Health targets. ) programmes.

The IM&T Directorate at the Whittington has a good record of delivery and a clear direction. A report by the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI January 2002) gave the department a ranking for ‘use of information’ only achieved by three other hospitals in the NHS. The Whittington also has the 2nd highest number of PCs per clinician of all London acute hospitals (May 2002). More recently, in February 2003, the Whittington became the fourth London hospital to complete Data Accrediation Phase 2.

This post reflects the new demands on the Information team to build on the Directorate’s success and support the Trust in achieving thefurther initiatives in the 'Information for Health' Health’ IM&T Strategy.

The team is required to deliver improvements in the quality of data recorded on Trust information systems as well as provide a range of reports and data to support the business, management and clinical functions of a busy acute hospital.

will play a key rôle in delivering improvements in data quality and in meeting clinical information needs. The strengthened 'performance management' approach of the NHS Executive will require more sophisticated reporting systems such as those needed to support clinical governance. The establishment of

Primary Care Trusts and the newly emerging information needs of GPs will require that the team is able to deliver new levels of information to challenging deadlines.

The IM&T Directorate is implementing a data warehouse (The Whittington Information System) which is dedicated for information reporting and analysis. Databases are written in Oracle, and Business Objects is used as a front end query tool. A key aspect of the work of the Information Team is to fully exploit this data source to continually enhance the range and effectiveness of information available to managers and clinicians from their desktop PC.

JOB SUMMARY

The aim of the IPH programme is to achieve better care without delay through the patient’s healthcare journey. The focus is on using clinical systems improvement (demand and capacity, patient flow, statistical process control) to eliminate unnecessary waits throughout the hospital system, while improving clinical quality and patient and staff experience. This will be backed up by an organisational development plan to improve leadership, people management, partnerships and processes. The aim is for clinical systems improvement to become the new way of managing hospitals.

The role will involve supporting and delivering information and analytical support to the IPH Programme at The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust. The role will be challenging, as it requires a radical shift from traditional ways of understanding the hospital. The role will consist of developing whole hospital system models linked to measuring improvement and to NHS performance management systems. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled analyst to influence the future of management at the hospital. To assist in the provision of a high quality data analysis and information management function, in order to support the Trust in meeting its clinical, management and business objectives.

To contribute to the information management function of a well-regarded team within the IM&T Directorate to supply information to clinical and management staff and to stakeholder organisations such as local Primary Care Trusts. The information service covers the full range of patient information, business and performance management indicators, clinical and information governance issues. The post holder will be expected to not only develop reports but also help end-users of the report to analyse and interpret the information

To work as part of a team to deliver an Information service closely integrated with the Clinical Directorates within the Trust.

RESPONSIBILITIES

IPH is a new programme and therefore responsibilities may change and develop as the IPH programme progresses.

▪ Support for the data aspects of diagnosing constraints and bottlenecks across whole patient pathways.

▪ Participate in and support the development of whole hospital system models with the IPH programme/project teams

▪ Participate in the design of improvement measures and set up reporting mechanisms to capture the relevant data on a monthly basis.

▪ Provide advice to staff on the collection of data including required data quality standards as appropriate.

▪ Analyse and present results to the programme Board and on other occasions as necessary.

▪ Merge data from other sources with programme data to provide a comprehensive picture of performance within the Trust.

▪ Work within a number of project teams supporting other Modernisation projects within the Trust.

▪ Provide other information management services as required by the Information Manager.

▪ Support diagnostic reviews of the current information systems and processes

▪ Support and where appropriate develop user requirements specifications for improved information systems.

1) To work collaboratively with IM&T staff in the IT Patient Systems; the IT Development; the IT Infrastructure, the Clinical Coding, and Health Records teams as necessary to complete work effectively.

2) To carry out analysis of Trust data sources to provide routine reports based on standard procedures. To undertake amendments to routine reports under the supervision of senior Information staff.

3) To produce and disseminate core statutory returns to Strategic Health Authorities, Primary Care Trusts Regional Offices and the Department of Health, ensuring the reports are delivered on time and to the required standard.

4) To undertake ad hoc requests from the full range of information service users under the supervision and guidance of senior Iinformation staff. Information reports may include those for Trust business and operational groups, data quality initiatives or Sservice aAgreements.

5) To provide information to support special projects and task groups as specified by senior Information staff.

To undertake monitoring of data quality within the Trust's database systems, following established standards and guidelines. To highlight areas of variance and to participate in the resolution of data quality issues under guidance from senior Information staff

6) With the Information Manager, agree annual objectives and take part in a regular process of appraisal and review. Undertake appropriate training courses as identified as part of the appraisal process in order to effectively carry out the responsibilities of the post.

7) To be expected to work towards the development of duties and responsibilites comenserate with performance and ability required for the higher grades in the salary scale.

8) Any other duties as reasonably required by the Information Manager.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is the aim of the Authority to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins or is not placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. To this end the Authority has an Equal Opportunity Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.

NO SMOKING

We operate a No Smoking Policy which does not allow smoking at work other than in a designated area.

CONFIDENTIALITY, DATA PROTECTION & SECURITY

DATA PROTECTION

If you are required to obtain, process or use personal identifiable information either held on a computer, paper or audio-visual equipment you must do so in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998). No exemptions or exceptions to compliance with the Act should be assumed without written consent from the Trust’s Data Protection Officer.

You should be both familiar, and fully compliant, with any Trust policies and procedures that have been put in place to protect personal identifiable data of staff and patients. Further details on Data Protection are available from the IM&T department.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All personal information regarding staff or patients received during the course of your employment with the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, either directly or indirectly, must at all times be treated as confidential. Patient information must be handled in compliance with the Trust Caldicott policies and procedures. Further details are available from the IM&T Department.

Information should not be transmitted to any third party, except in the normal course of your duties, without the express written consent of the Whittington Hospital NHS Trust. Any breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action, and may be regarded as gross misconduct.

If required to do so, staff should obtain, process and/or use information held on a computer or word processor, in a fair and lawful way. To hold data only for the specific registered purpose and not to use or disclose it in any incompatible with such a purpose. Staff must NEVER disclose data or information held on computers or in non computerised files, except to authorised persons or organisations as instructed.

All Trust employees must comply with the following legislation:

The Data protection Act (1984)

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988)

Computer Misuse Act (1990)

All employees must comply with the Trust’s Security Policy (copies available on request)

Failure to abide by the above may result in disciplinary action and/or dismissal.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

In accordance with the Administrative and Clerical Staff and General Whitley Councils.

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION MAY BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE POST-HOLDER TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGING PRIORITIES OF THE HOSPITAL.

Person Specification

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Information Analyst

|ATTRIBUTES |ESSENTIAL CRITERIA |DESIRABLE CRITERIA |

|QUALIFICATIONS |Good general level of education. |Degree or postgraduate qualification in a numeric |

| | |subject |

|SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE |Understanding of NHS Information Systems |Ability to use Microsoft Access and Excel macros and |

| |Knowledge of NHS data models |VBA |

| |Familiarity with NHS Plan and performance management|An understanding of whole systems approaches |

| |within the NHS |Knowledge of improvement science. |

| | |Familiar with Modernisation Agency diagnostic and |

| | |improvement tools. |

| | |Use of Business Objects |

|APTITUDES |Excellent communication and interpersonal skills |Coaching skills |

| |Evidence of analytical ability & problem solving |Willing to challenge existing practice. |

| |skills |Able to present information to a non-technical |

| |Self-starter and highly motivated - able to work to |audience |

| |tight deadlines | |

| |Effective team worker. | |

|EXPERIENCE |2 years experience as an information analyst in the |Experience or involvement in developments in the use |

| |NHS |of information to support service improvement and |

| |Experience in – problem diagnosis, report writing, |performance management |

| |presentation, persuasion |Working with clinicians and managers and understanding|

| |Experience of using Microsoft Office products, |the clinical processes within a hospital |

| |specifically Excel, to analyse data and draw out key| |

| |issues | |

|OTHER REQUIREMENTS | |Knowledge of Statistical Process Control |

Personal Qualities

Essential

A team player

An enthusiastic and positive outlook

Adaptable

Ability to demonstrate initiative

Aptitude towards learning and development

Skills

Essential

A high standard of interpersonal skills

A high standard of communication skills, both oral and written

Ability to work flexibly, under pressure and to tight deadlines

Ability to maintain a high standard of accuracy

Qualifications/Training

Desirable

Educated to degree level or equivalent

Knowledge

Essential

Windows database and spreadsheet applications eg. Microsoft Access and Excel.

Desirable

Business Objects or similar business intelligence application

AQUIP (report generator)

Knowledge of Bbasic statistical methods

Knowledge of the The NHS environment

Skills

Essential

A high standard of interpersonal skills

A high standard of communication skills, both oral and written

Ability to work flexibly, under pressure and to tight deadlines

Ability to maintain a high standard of accuracy

Experience

Essential

Experience of presenting data as clear and concise information

Desirable

Experience of presenting data as clear and concise information

Experience of working with a wide range of people in a workplace environment

Analysis of relational datasets

Personal Qualities

Essential

An enthusiastic and positive outlook

Adaptable

A team player

Ability to demonstrate initiative

Aptitude towards learning and development

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