Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead Job Description and Person Specification Position Job title Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead Directorate Medical Directorate Pay band AFC Band 8d Responsible to Senior National Laboratory and Scientific Lead Genomics Implementation Unit Salary 67,247-83,258 per annum Accountable to Chief Scientific Officer, NHS England Tenure Fixed Term Contract Responsible for Responsible for the day-to-day work assigned to the GIU Service Development Team which would include implementing and managing redesign and improvement work streams within NHS Genomic Medicine Centres (GMCs) participating in the 100,000 Genomes Project Funding Arrangements Programme Funded Base Regional Office - The GIU is based in London, so regular travel to London will be required, as well as extensive national travel. Flexible working arrangements will be agreed with individual candidates to meet the requirements of the post. NHS England Values The values enshrined in the NHS Constitution underpin all that we do: Respect and dignity. Commitment to the quality of care. Compassion. Improving lives. Working together for patients. Everyone counts. NHS England Behaviours Our behaviours: leading by example: We prioritise patients in every decision we take. We listen and learn. We are evidence-based. We are open and transparent. We are inclusive. We strive for improvement.
Service and Team About the Role Background The 100,000 Genomes Project is an exciting scientific and medical programme. It has the scope to revolutionise treatment and prevention by developing genomic diagnostics, meaning that the NHS can offer more targeted tests, drugs and care for patients. It also supports the government's aspiration to become a world-leader in the practical applications of genomic technologies and aligns with NHS England's ambition to ramp up the scale and pace of change to deliver better outcomes for patients. The Project is being delivered in partnership with a range of national organisations, including the Department of Health, Genomics England, Health Education England and Public Health England. The NHS infrastructure is being delivered via NHS Genomic Medicine Centres (NHS GMCs). These are virtual Centres, consisting of a Lead Organisation (NHS Trust) working with a range of Local Delivery Partners (LDPs). Each NHS GMC covers a specific geography serving a population of several million. Thirteen (13) NHS GMCs have been established so far across England to deliver an end-to-end pathway: Participation of patients and family members with rare diseases and certain types of cancer, with their informed consent Collection and processing of samples to extract the DNA for sequencing Capture of clinical and other diagnostic information to inform the overall interpretation of the genome sequence and its expression Validation of the findings from whole genome sequencing for diagnostic and care management purposes. Job Purpose/Summary The Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead will work as part of a newly established Service Development Team in the Genomics Implementation Unit. The post holder will support and advise on service improvement activities which would include mapping regional improvement resources and developing and monitoring regional service improvement plans in partnership with NHS GMC Leads and Regional Medical Directors. They will offer training in service improvement tools and techniques to Project Leads, ensure delivery and support them in developing, implementing their own local improvement plans and demonstrate improvements as a result of the applied initiatives. They will focus on improving clinical pathways for Cancer and Rare Disease (RD), engaging with clinicians and key stakeholders unblocking barriers to patient recruitment to the Rare Disease and Cancer Main Programme across the thirteen (13) NHS GMCs, as directed by the Senior National Laboratory and Scientific Lead. He/she will work with the Senior National Laboratory and Scientific Lead and Senior Management within the NHS GMCs to ensure agreement and delivery of the outcomes and key work objectives. The post holder will provide professional expertise in the development and operational management of the delivery of effective strategies and management processes ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation. The post holder will be responsible for evaluating and demonstrating the tangible difference that they have made to the individual pathways. The Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead will develop regional improvement measures that contribute to the delivery of the overall work programme to ensure improved patient recruitment to the Rare Disease and Cancer Main Programmes as well as achievement of the 100,000 Genomes Project s six (6) key performance indicators (KPIs).
The Genomics Implementation Unit within NHS England manages the ongoing work and existing partnership arrangements between its delivery partners to ensure the project s successful delivery and support NHS England s evolving strategy for personalised medicine. The 100,000 Genomes Project is now in its second year. This involves the continued recruitment of patients in Rare Diseases and Cancer across the 13 NHS GMCs and increasing the number of LDPs. The post holder will define current processes, work collaboratively to devise improvements in strategic and operational processes across a broad area of activity to meet the needs of the organisation. He/she will also develop and ensure delivery of an effective strategy and operational policies for promoting innovation across the required organisations. Working closely with colleagues across the sector, ensuring coherent strategy and will: Drive the strategy for, supporting and ensuring alignment across the system Drive reform and support organisational change and uptake of initiatives that support excellence Develop and communicate the vision for the role of innovation, and the development of strategy and operational policies to support this vision Engage with key strategic regional and national policy makers to inform development of strategy and policies Identify examples of regional, national and international best practice and to ensure that NHS England benefits from relevant innovations in healthcare Support development by developing the innovation infrastructure and capacity in organisations Develop and champion new initiatives or projects as necessary Working with providers and clinical experts to design new training products Provide expertise of best practice methodologies regulatory requirements, policy imperatives, innovation and technological developments and stakeholders knowledge.
The successful candidate will need to have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, complete work requests at short notice on occasion and deliver to tight deadlines as well as understand some of the sensitivities in relation to the information that they handle and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders as part of working on a large and important national project.
Key Job Specifics and Responsibilities Key Accountabilities Improving quality and outcomes To ensure, along with the Senior National Laboratory and Scientific Lead, that there is a demonstrable improved benefit and increased patient recruitment to the Rare Disease and Cancer Main Programmes for the 100,000 Genomes Project. Work closely with the Clinical Directors, Rare Disease and Cancer Clinical Leads within and across NHS GMCs to map and demonstrate improved patient pathways. Be responsive to bespoke commissions of work from the Head of Performance and other GIU Senior Management colleagues to enable smooth running of processes locally in NHS GMCs in areas such as, for example, LDP Mobilisation, Laboratories and Data and Informatics. Work with the Senior Transition Lead, to support NHS GMCs in the transition from the 100,000 Genomes Project to feed into NHS England s Personalised Medicine Strategy/Agenda. To work collaboratively across the NHS England matrix, including integrating the National Director s portfolio with the Strategic Programme Regional Leads and Clinical Leads. Enabling patient and public involvement To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making of NHS England. Key Functional Responsibilities Operational Accountable for developing and delivering strategy, promoting innovation and supporting operational excellence in the Sector. Working with a range of data, facts and situations often requiring detailed analysis and interpretation making decisions on the most appropriate approach. To monitor, interpret and quality assure progress against deliverables. Quality assurance and progress of deliverables to NHS England that often require adjustments specifically in relation to the complex corporate business agenda, strategic objectives and the business planning process. To develop business plans and provide expert strategic and policy advice and guidance on all areas of the National Director s portfolio. Financial and Physical Resources Responsible and accountable for a range of projects and initiatives. Budget setting across a range of services/areas, managing and monitoring related activity, liaising with finance colleagues to ensure appropriate costing and ensure compliance with Standing Financial instructions and Standing Orders. Develop commissioning/ service models that ensures value for money and promote excellence. Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency in the use of these budgets and to ensure that they operate in recurrent financial balance year on year.
To ensure all public and patient contact with the office is of the highest professional standard. To embed patient and public involvement within NHS England at all levels of decision making. Promoting equality and reducing inequalities To uphold organisational policies and principles on the promotion of equality. To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday action ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality. Partnership and cross boundary working To work collaboratively with Project Partners, NHS GMCs and other key stakeholder organisations to ensure that cross organisation learning and knowledge are shared. To work with and across NHS England Policy Teams, Strategic Clinical Networks, Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), Commissioners, Professional Bodies, Voluntary and Charitable Bodies (as required). Engage wider organisations and audiences when developing and presenting the work of the GIU Service Development Team. To support the development of new links with emerging stakeholders as required. People Management Manage the function, building a collaborative working environment and an innovative culture Transfers expertise and knowledge as appropriate, regarding innovation issues throughout the team and also externally to Directors and lead providers including developing and delivering formal briefing/training to promote innovation. Support an effective matrix approach to achieve NHS objectives. To manage, motivate, inspire and develop staff within the team to ensure that they are able to deliver the responsibilities of NHS England. Responsible for the recruitment and development of the Directorate staff, including undertaking appraisal, staff develop and where appropriate progressing employee relation matters. Information Management Responsible for the development, management and maintenance of systems and framework across the organisation. Partners with the business to ensure that information management needs are met in order to enable effective planning and monitoring of quality. Research and Development Develops an innovation strategy including research and development to identify, develop and promote best practice Drawing from experience and expertise in other academic fields and industries, ensures that the organisation benefits from relevant innovations Highlight, promote and report innovative approaches to education and training, particularly their impact on service
Leadership for transformational change To model a collaborative and influencing style of working, negotiating with others to achieve the best outcomes and embedding this approach across the GIU and the wider Medical Directorate. To provide expert improvement knowledge and leadership to the wider NHS using appropriate improvement methodologies which are embedded to ensure sustainability new/change of practice within NHS GMCs. To be a role model for collaborating working and demonstrate an influencing and enabling style. To be an effective and influential communicator at all times both internally and externally. Contribute to future development of Personalised Medicine Strategy/Agenda (as required) through high quality support to the NHS England and NHS GMCs. Commission and co-ordinate a Research and Development strategy to drive innovation. Planning and Organisation Accountable for developing and owning the operational strategy and working with the team to ensure that this is incorporated into the consolidated plan. Develops plan for the delivery of the role s responsibilities including identifying interdependencies, managing risks, modelling the potential impacts on the wider organisation, determining resource requirements and building in contingency where required. Contributes to the strategic planning process and delivery of priorities and manages consequential adjustments to activities. Chair or attend as appropriate, meetings with varied internal and external key stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of the strategic objectives. Policy and Service Development: Using insight and evidence for improvement To agree and implement appropriate improvement methodologies, techniques and strategies to ensure increased recruitment to the Rare Disease and Cancer cohorts of the Project. Promote the adoption of innovative strategies and techniques. Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and interpretation to policies, guidelines and service level agreements (SLA s) which may impact service delivery and Sector. To lead redesign and improvement programmes using suitable methodologies. To provide expertise and high level knowledge of best practice. To share learning and disseminate knowledge through system wide strategies. Key Working Relationships Build and maintain good working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders on a range of business sensitive issues.
To ensure best practice is adopted throughout the whole team. To keep up to date with new improvement skills, knowledge and methodologies to support the GIU Service Development Team. To work with and provide support to Service Improvement experts within NHS GMCs, AHSNs and other organisations in the region. Analyse data and assess risks to inform policy and strategies (as required). Developing an excellent organisation To monitor, interpret and quality assure progress against deliverables. Quality assurance and progress of deliverables to NHS England that often require adjustments specifically in relation to the complex corporate business agenda, strategic objectives and the business planning process. To develop business plans and provide expert strategic and policy advice and guidance on all areas of the National Director s portfolio. Lead as the expert; integrating systems and managing effective working relationships with the appropriate stakeholders. Manage potentially aggressive and/or antagonistic situations with staff and stakeholders within change programmes for successful outcomes often dealing with complex and conflicting issues with staff and stakeholders. Link with managers and members of other initiatives to address interdependencies and ensure alignment. Employ effective communication, negotiation and influencing skills to enable an effective change management with stakeholders at all levels (including senior management) who may hold differing and contentious views. Represent the Sector in sensitive and political situations, delivering difficult messages where required to high-level audiences. Effective stakeholder management across different departments and at all levels, maintaining relationships with key and high profile stakeholders, such as key strategic regional and national policy makers. To actively participate in and support the development of individuals and the team through appraisal, personal development planning, coaching and mentoring. To work in partnership with others and as part of cross directorate teams to deliver successful outcomes. To support the organisation s ways of working, model it s values and champion the NHS Constitution To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff within the department.
To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the department. To adhere to the NHS Managers Code of Conduct and any other relevant professional codes of conduct at all times.
Organisational Structure Genomics Implementation Unit Service Development Team Chief Scientific Officer NHS England Regional Medical Directors, NHS England Senior National Laboratory and Scientific Lead Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead (North) Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead (South) Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead (London) Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead (Midlands and East)
Regional Genomics Service Improvement Lead Person Specification Criteria Description Essential Desirable Evidence* Qualifications Educated to Masters level OR equivalent level OR equivalent experience of working at a senior level in specialist area. Knowledge and experience Significant experience and knowledge of designing and delivering quality improvement initiatives / projects working practices in Acute Care organisations In depth additional expert knowledge acquired over a significant period of time in the following areas: Service Improvement Design and Delivery Change Management Quality Management/Assurance Skills and capabilities Subject matter expertise across a number of key areas relating to patient/treatment pathways mapping in acute care settings, clinical leadership and engagement, stakeholder management and engagement for diagnostics or relevant clinical specialty. Proven and significant leadership experience and/or formal management qualification Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development for service and quality improvement, emerging methodologies and policy areas Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health, the NHS England and individual provider and commissioning organisations Member of relevant professional body Significant knowledge of current improvement methodologies and best practice Significant knowledge of implementation of improvement methodologies, strategies and complex change management projects.
Communication skills Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate on highly complex matters and difficult situations Analytical skills Planning skills Ability to provide and receive, convey and present highly complex, sensitive and/or contentious information to large groups, responding openly to questions to ensure full understanding and engagement Ability to communicate effectively with clinical, academic and all levels of staff High level analytical skills and the ability to draw qualitative and quantitative data from a wide range of sources and present in a clear concise manner Ability to analyse numerical and written data, assess verbal, written, numerical and draw appropriate conclusions Ability to develop, maintain and monitor information systems to support innovation initiatives Demonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management when appropriate Leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills Management Skills Ability to demonstrate a high level of expertise in providing senior leadership Autonomy/ Freedom Ability to work on own initiative and organise workload, allocating work as to Act necessary, working to tight and often changing deadlines. Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues Physical skills Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills. Financial and Physical Resources Management Experience Values and behaviours Previously responsible for a budget, involved in budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do Able to make a connection between their work and the benefit to patients and the public Consistently thinks about how their work can help and support clinicians and frontline staff deliver better outcomes for patients
Equality, diversity and inclusion Works well with others, is positive and helpful, listens, involves, respects and learns from the contribution of others Consistently looks to improve what they do, looks for successful tried and tested ways of working, and also seeks out innovation Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same Demonstrable commitment to partnership working with a range of external organisations Will consider the most effective way to promote equality of opportunity and good working relationships in employment and service delivery and has the ability to take actions which support and promote this agenda Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness A/l Self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers with cultural sensitivity and awareness Other Determination, perseverance, and resilience Flexibility, and the ability to handle a rapidly changing and ambiguous environment * Evidence will take place with reference to the following information: A Application form I Interview T Test or Assessment C Certificate