Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement (Grade VIII)

Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement (Grade VIII).

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title, Grade, Grade Code / Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement (Grade VIII). Information and Analysis Unit, Quality Improvement Division
Grade Code 0655
Campaign Reference / NRS03330
Closing Date / Friday 5th February 2016 at 12:00 noon
Proposed interview Dates / March 2016
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post / Information and Analysis Unit
Quality Improvement Division
Stewart’s Care Ltd
Mill Lane
Palmerstown,
Dublin 20
Organisational Area / Corporate: Quality Improvement Division
Informal Enquiries / Elaine Fallon, Quality Improvement Division (QID) – email or phone 086 0490528
Details of Service / The Information and Analysis Unit in the Quality Improvement Division, established in June 2014, is a Corporate function that delivers on the identified priorities for quality improvement in the HSE. The unit provides leadership and support on measuring and learning for quality improvement.
Information and Analysis to support Improvement is one of six key priorities for QID.
This unit supports the QID Vision of “working in partnership to create safe quality care”.
We aim to support improvement in the quality of care provided to patients and families:

By providing data based intelligence related to patient care
By enabling health services to collect, understand and act on information related to patient care
By understanding how QI activities lead to improvement in quality of care through qualitative and quantitative evaluation.

Team Structure
The team is led by Dr Jennifer Martin, National QID Lead for Information and Analysis and consists of people with experience in healthcare and expertise in statistics, analysis, and project and programme management.
Reporting Arrangements / Reports to the QID Lead, Information and Analysis
Key Working Relationships / Key working relationships will be within the Quality Improvement Division, Quality and Patient Safety leads for the service divisions, System Reform Group, HSE service divisions, Hospital Group Boards/Executive Management teams and Chief Officers of Community Health Organisations, Department of Health, Regulators, professional colleges.
Purpose of the Post / To deliver on the QID key priority in the area of ‘information and analysis for improvement’ by

Leading on the evaluation of quality improvement projects to understand if and how they have improved quality of care
Providing expert advice on qualitative research for the Quality Improvement Division
Supporting the development of measures of quality
Enabling others within QID and across the HSE to measure and use qualitative information for quality improvement.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities / The post holder’s duty is to develop the qualitative evaluation and qualitative research functions of the Information and Analysis Unit in order that the unit can provide expertise and support to QID and others undertaking quality improvement projects.
Key responsibilities:
Lead the development of the qualitative evaluation function of the Information and Analysis Unit.
Lead the development of the qualitative research function of the Information and Analysis Unit.
Enabling others within QID and across the HSE to measure and use information for quality improvement

Provide technical expertise and training to groups, such as collaboratives in measurement and evaluation of quality improvement projects
Provide technical expertise and training to service providers in the development and use of qualitative information for improvement at local service level
Support QID in evaluation of the forthcoming Framework for Improving Quality (expected date of publication January on HSE website)

Training

Complete training in quality improvement (sponsored by QID), if not already completed.

General Role

Engage with key stakeholders (Clinical Programmes, HIQA, DOH, Healthcare Pricing Office) to enable the achievement of the objectives of the role.

Provide guidance to the QID Lead, Information and Analysis and other functions of the National QID on evaluation and qualitative data issues.
Represent Information and Analysis team and QID on working groups and committees as required.
Prepare an annual report on the programme of work for inclusion in the QID annual report
Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Other duties as specified by the lead for the unit

The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must by the closing date for receipt of applications possess the following, as relevant to the role

An academic award in a health related, science or life sciences discipline at level 8 (or higher) on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) framework or equivalent.
Significant experience of qualitative research methodologies and evaluation methods including health research which have involved large data sets and data analysis.

Experience of managing and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Other requirements specific to the post /

Flexibility around working hours will be required in response to the varying demands of the role.
The position is office based; however, the successful candidate will be required to visit relevant clinical settings and attend off site meetings as required.
Access to own transport as post will involve travel.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Professional Knowledge and Experience

Evidence of leading on the writing of business cases, project initiation documents and project reports

Demonstrate knowledge of HSE structures and processes

Demonstrate an understanding of Quality Improvement Methodology and ideally have undertaken formal training in quality improvement and /or used quality improvement methodologies.
Excellent report writing skills
Ability to carry out literature searches into relevant research topics
Excellent MS Office skills to include, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Knowledge and experience of using an email system effectively e.g. Outlook, Lotus Notes

Managing & Delivering Results (Operational Excellence)
Demonstrate:

Excellent organisational and time management skills to meet objectives within agreed timeframes and achieve quality results.
The ability to work to tight deadlines and operate effectively with multiple competing priorities
The ability to take personal responsibility to initiate activities and drive objectives through to a conclusion

Teamwork, Leadership & Building and Maintaining Relations
Demonstrate:

Ability to lead, direct and influence others, in partnership, with a wide variety of stakeholders in a complex and changing environment
A vision in relation to what changes are required to achieve immediate and long term organisational objectives

Strong team work skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships in a multidisciplinary team/ multi-stakeholder environment
Evidence of being a positive agent of change and performance improvement
Effective conflict management skills
A track record of building and maintaining key internal and external relationships in achieving organisational goals

Critical Analysis & Decision Making
Demonstrate:

Excellent analytical skills
The ability to evaluate complex information from a variety of sources and make effective decisions
Considers the impact of decisions before taking action
Anticipates problems, recognises when to involve other parties (at the appropriate time and level)
Makes timely decisions and stands by those decisions as required

Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrate:

Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to facilitate work with a wide range of individuals and groups
A capacity to negotiate and then ensure delivery on stretched objectives
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.

Commitment to a Quality Service
Demonstrate:

Evidence of interest and passion in engaging with and delivering on better outcomes for service users
A core belief in and passion for the sustainable delivery of high quality user focused services

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/ Short listing/Interview / A ranking and or short listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
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 placed on an order of merit and will called forward to interview ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in 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 HSE’s 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 SERVICES EXECUTIVE

Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Grade VIII

Tenure / The current vacancy is whole time and permanent.
The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.
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: €64,812 - €74,551 (7 point scale as at 01/11/2013)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is:37 hours
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave / The annual leave associated with the post will be in line with HSE annual leave entitlements and will be outlined at job offer stage.
Superannuation / This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004
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 (€ 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 01.01.2010) 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 http://www.sipo.gov.ie/