Chief Financial Officer
Dublin Midlands Hospital Group
Job Specification and Terms & Conditions
Job Title & Grade / Chief Financial Officer, Dublin Midlands Hospital Group(Assistant National Director Level, Grade Code 0509)
Campaign Reference Number / NRS1431
Closing Date / 6th January 2015 at 12 noon
Location of Post / Within the geographical area of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Exact location will be indicated at job offer stage.
Organisational Area / Dublin Midlands Hospital Group
Context/Background / The reform actions necessary to enable the Government to deliver ‘whole system’ health reform, as undertaken within the Programme for Government, are laid out in Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015. The establishment of Hospital Groups is an integral part of this reform, which will see public hospitals reorganised into more efficient and accountable hospital groups that will harness the benefits of increase independence and greater control at local level. The Government’s decision regarding the establishment and operation of the new hospital groups is informed by two reports The Establishment of Hospital Groups as a Transition to Independent Hospital Trusts and The Framework for Development – Securing the Future of Smaller Hospitals. These reports fulfil important commitments in Future Health for the reform of the health service.
The overarching aim of the wider health system reform programme is to deliver a single-tier health system based on Universal Health Insurance (UHI), underpinned by the principle of social solidarity, with equitable access based on need and not on ability to pay. In preparation for the introduction of UHI, a new financing system, Money Follows the Patient (MTPF), will be introduced. The alignment of MFTP with the national clinical programmes will provide Hospital Groups with the tools to provide effective and efficient services within a clear national framework.
Initially the Hospital Groups will be established on a non-statutory administrative basis with an Interim Group Board appointed by the Minister for Health overseeing the delivery of high quality, safe patient care. In the first year of operation each Hospital Group will develop a strategic plan for future service configuration. These plans will describe the provision of more efficient and effective patient services; how the services will be reorganised to provide optimal care to the respective populations; and the plans to achieve maximum integration and synergy with other Hospital Groups and all other health services, particularly primary and community care services.
Each Group will have a single consolidated management team, with responsibility for performance and outcomes, within a clearly-defined budget and employment ceiling. The management team will have autonomy to reconfigure services across the group, including the deployment and redeployment of all staff, subject to an agreed policy framework and approval process.
In addition each Hospital Group will have a primary academic partner which will ensure the capability of the Group to delivery on healthcare teaching, training and research and innovation agenda in an integrated manner.
The establishment of Hospital Groups and, subsequently, Hospital Trusts, will enable hospitals to provide care in the right way at the right location. This will be done in a manner that ensures a safe, high quality service for all, maximising and capitalising on the strengths of both larger and smaller hospitals, with better outcome for patients. Following an agreed period of time rigorous evaluation of each group will be undertaken to ensure it is fit for purpose to function as a Hospital Trust. Legislation will be put in place to enable Independent Hospital Trusts to be established taking account of any changes to Groups which may emerge from the review process.
Reporting Relationship / Reporting to the CEO, Dublin Midlands Hospital Group
Key Working Relationships / In the execution of the role, the Chief Financial Officer will be supported by the Hospital Group Executive Management Team comprising of:
- Chief Operations Officer
- Chief Director of Nursing
- Chief Clinical Director
- Chief Academic Officer
Scope of the Role / Chief Financial Officer-Dublin Midlands Hospital Group
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group includes the following hospitals:
- Saint Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network
- The Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Dublin
- Coombe Women & Infant’s University Hospital
- St. James’s Hospital
- Naas General Hospital
- Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise
- Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore
Work with the Group Chief Executive Officer and Hospital Group Executive Management Team in delivering the Annual Service Plan having regard for the finance priorities.
Work with the relevant HSE regional Finance Team to ensure implementation of agreed Finance Strategy, policies and procedures.
To deputise for the Chief Executive as required.
Please see attached Appendix 1 which provides an overview of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
Purpose of the Role / The primary purpose is to provide Finance Support to the Chief Executive Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and her Management Team and to support Executive Clinical Directors in delivering on their accountability in respect of the financial business of the hospitals and to improve the organisation’s effectiveness.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities / The following are the key duties and responsibilities for this role:
Leadership & Direction
- Develop strong working relationships with all key stakeholders both internal and external to the Hospital Group
- To ensure monitoring and reporting on Hospital Group Budgetary Performance
- Reporting on variances against Budget
- Ensure all reporting is delivered within the agreed timeframes
- To maintain and develop a system of Internal Financial Controls to ensure budgetary control, management and accountability
- Assist the Chief Operations Officer and Hospital Managers and other service managers in monitoring of financial and budgetary position in relation to funding and service activity
- Assist the Chief Operations Officer in his/her responsibility with regard to HSE Financial regulations and best practice
- Providedetailedexpenditureinformationandexplanationforvariances
- Analyseandreviewfinancialinformationandreportsandprovideconstructive commentary thereon
- Identify andreportonfinancialtrendsandidentify correctiveactioninliaison withtheChiefExecutive andherManagementTeam
- Adviseonopportunities forvalueformoneyinitiatives
- Assistinpreparingtheservicearrangements fortheHospitalsinconjunction withtheChiefExecutiveandotherservicemanagersasappropriate
- ManagetheFinanceFunctionoftheHospitals within the Group
- PreparemonthlyIMRreportsinrespect oftheHospitals
- Prepareothermonthlyfinancialreportsasrequestedbythe Group CEO and HSE Regional Finance
- Prepareyearendreturnsas required
- Ensurethatallfinancialresourcesareusedinthemosteffectiveandefficient mannerinthedeliveryofdaytodayservicesacrosstheHospitalGroup
- To promote and ensure full compliance with all Finance policies and Finance Regulation procedures
- Managetheavailableworkingcapitalinanefficientandeffectivemanner
- Implementallexistingandnewaccountingpoliciesandproceduresas designatedbythe HSE
- Ensurecompliance withHSEFinancialRegulations andGovernment policies
- Ensurecompliance withbestaccountingpracticeatalltimes
- PreparereportsfortheRegionalFinanceAssistant National Director (AND) as required
- Ensurethatcase mixreturnsarecompletedforeachhospitalwhendue
- Responsible for all financial matters relating to the Hospital Group
- Responsible fortheworkingcapital andcashavailabletotheHospitalGroup
- Responsible forallfinancialreportsrequiredbyHSEandotherstakeholders
- Participateasa memberofthe Dublin MidlandsHospitalGroup ManagementTeam
- Beresponsible andaccountableforthedeliveryofallfinancialserviceswithinthe hospitalinlinewithnationallydefinedframeworks, standards,policies and resources
- Beresponsible fordeliveryof keytargetsbyensuringa strongcontrol systemis putinplace
- Work with the Chief Executive and Senior Hospital Management to implement “Money Follows the Patient” funding arrangements in the hospital system in preparation for the introduction of the Universal Health Insurance System
- Accountable, responsible and has authority for delivering a quality service and ensuring patient safety
- Developeffectiveandrobust collaborativeIteamworkingrelationshipswithkey internalandexternalstakeholders
- Participateinperformancemonitoring,controlandevaluation arrangements atall levels throughout the HospitalGroup
- Assist in thedevelopmentand implementationofearly warning and correctiveactionplanningsystemswithrespecttodeviationsfromplannedperformance
- Appraise the Chief Executive and the relevant officer in the HSE inatimelyandcontinuousmannerwithrespect toperformanceagainst plannedpositions
- Ensureanddemonstratethatallcorporate policies,procedures,standardsetcareimplementedatHospital Group level
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/or experience / Only staff of the HSE, other statutory health agencies, the Department of Health and bodies which provide services on behalf of the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 are eligible to apply at this time.
The successful candidate will:
- Have membership of a recognised or prescribed accountancy body such as ACCA, CPA, ACMA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent
- Have significant experience in financial management and financial planning
- Have a significant track record of achievement as a leader and senior manager in a large complex organisation in with public or private sector
- Possess the requisite knowledge, ability and experience to fulfil the duties of the posts
Acandidateforandanypersonholdingtheofficemustbefullycompetentand capableofundertakingthedutiesattachedtotheofficeandbeinastateof healthsuchaswouldindicate areasonableprospect ofabilitytorenderregular andefficientservice
Character
Eachcandidate forandanypersonholdingtheofficemustbeofgoodcharacter.
Age
Agerestrictions shallonlyapplytoacandidatewherehe/sheisnotclassifiedasa newentrant (withinthemeaningofthePublicServiceSuperannuationAct,2004). Acandidate whoisnotclassifiedasa newentrantmustbeunder65yearsofage.
Skills, competence and / or knowledge / Leadership and Direction
- Ability to lead and manage change and organisational development
- Ability to work effectively with a multi-disciplinary organisation in a complex and pressured environment
- Hasthecapacitytolead,organiseandmotivatestafftofunctioneffectivelyin timesofrapidchange
- Demonstratesflexibility,adaptabilityandopenness toworkingeffectivelyina changingenvironment
- Abilitytoleadandachieveresults
- Demonstrategoodplanning,organisationalandtime-managementskills
- ExcellentICTandreportwritingskills
- Operateeffectivelyina matrixworkingenvironment
- Beflexible, teamorientedandarelationship builderandhaveasignificanttrack record of achievement in the area
- Demonstrate leadershipandteammanagementskillsincludingtheabilitytowork with multi-disciplinary team members
- Has excellent influencing and negotiation skills
- Have the ability to consider the range of options available, involve other parties at the appropriate time and level to make balanced and timely decisions
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of evidence based decision making practices and methodologies
- Has the ability to analyse and evaluate, in a rational, objective, consistent and systematic manner, a range of complex information to identify the core issues and arguments that are most salient to the situation at hand
- Demonstrateahighlevelofinterpersonalandcommunicationskillsincluding negotiation skillsandtheabilitytobuildandmaintainrelationships
- Hastheabilitytocommunicate ideas,positionsandinformationclearlyand convincinglyina mannerthatissensitivetowiderissues
- Act as a spokesperson for the organisation when required
- Knowledge ofFinancecustomandpracticewithinthepublichealthsystem
- Demonstrateacommitment tocontinuingprofessionaldevelopment
- Demonstrateapatient/service usercentred approach toprovision ofhealth and personal social services
- Be capable of coping with competing demands without a diminution in performance
Short listing / Applicants may be shortlisted for interview based on information supplied in the application form at the closing date or in other specified assessment documentation. Criteria for short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the post specific requirements, duties, skills, competencies and /or knowledge section of this job specification.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the short listing stage of this process (where applied) will be called forward to interview.
Code of Practice / The HSE will run this campaign compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Chief Financial Officer
Tenure / The appointment is whole-time, permanent and pensionable.A panel will be created for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group from which current and future permanent or temporary posts of whole or part time duration will be filled.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration / The Salary Scale for the post is: -
€90,514- €94,448-€98,382- €102,314- €106,250- €110,183
This rate takes account of the reduction provided for by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013.
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is: 37 Hours
Annual Leave / The annual leave associated with the post is to be confirmed at job offer stage.
Superannuation / All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme.
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Ethics in Public Office 1995 and 2001
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.01.10) / Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.07.2013) are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;
A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is one of seven Hospital Groups being established under the Government’s national health reform agenda. The Hospital Group will have a single management team with responsibility for overall performance within a clearly defined budget.
Our hospitals include: St. James’s, Tallaght, Naas, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Coombe and the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network and Trinity College Dublin is our Academic Partner.
We already have a Chairman who was appointed by the Minister for Health. The Board is being established on a non-statutory administrative basis initially until such time as it is given the necessary structures to accept the formal transfer of legal responsibilities. In the meantime the Groups function on a dual system with the Group CEO reporting to the National Director of Acute Hospitals initially, but ultimately to the Board once it achieves independent Trust status under legislation.
The Group CEO has delegated budget and operational responsibility for the Group. The revenue allocation for our Group is one of the highest with an allocation of €730m. We serve a population in excess of 800,000 people, with circa 9,000 dedicated staff and we currently have over 2,800 beds.
In 2013, hospitals in our group treated almost 100,000 patients on an inpatient basis and over 200,000 patients on a day case basis. 220,000 patients attended Emergency Departments in the group of which 85,000 patients were admitted to hospitals within the group.
The Dublin Midland Group is a dynamic coalescing of clinical and academic expertise. We have a bright future in Irish health care and see ourselves in the vanguard of change and improvement.
While the New Children’s Hospital is a distinct Hospital group in itself we are excited by the fact that it will be located on our flagship hospital site at St James and will have an Ambulatory Centre at Tallaght Hospital.
Background information regarding the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group:
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and its Primary Academic Partner, Trinity College Dublin is being established to manage seven public hospitals in-line with the government’s programme for reform of the health services, initially on a non-statutory basis pending the establishment of Hospital Trusts. Consequently, the Hospital Group Board will be replaced in due course by a Trust Board established on a statutory basis and the Hospital Group Board may be dissolved and reconstituted at any time to facilitate the development of Hospital Trusts. Pending the enactment of legislation to give effect to Trust Status, Hospital Groups will continue to operate within the policy and accountability frameworks determined by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. The Hospital Group Board must also ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2009.