Governance Officer- Fixed term Maternity Leave

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The Governance Officer supports core governance functions, including patient safety, clinical audit, quality improvement, complaints handling, risk management, and compliance with CQC and information governance standards. This role ensures governance systems are effectively maintained, monitored, and continuously improved.

Key Responsibilities

Governance & Compliance - Manage and maintain governance databases and records.

- Support compliance with CQC Regulation 17 (Good Governance).

- Assist with Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration, inspections, and provider information requests.

- Ensure adherence to information governance policies and data protection regulations. Quality & Risk Management

- Assist in maintaining and updating departmental risk registers. - Support the identification, escalation, and mitigation of risks across the organisation.

- Monitor intelligent data and reporting to identify trends, good practice, and potential risks.

- Support the preparation and quality assurance of evidence for CQC inspections. 2 Audit, Safety & Improvement

- Support and lead clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives.

- Provide expert guidance on clinical effectiveness and safety initiatives.

- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement in service delivery and compliance. Complaints & Incident Handling

- Lead on managing complaints, compliments, Subject Access Requests (SARs), and incidents.

- Ensure timely investigation, resolution, and reporting of all patient-related issues. Meetings & Reporting

- Prepare agendas, attend key meetings, and take accurate minutes. - Draft, format, and handle confidential reports and correspondence.

- Contribute to quality assurance reporting through the governance structure.

Additional Responsibilities Work independently and manage own workload and schedule.

Assist with internal and external reporting on governance and compliance.

Ensure that all activities comply with safeguarding, confidentiality, and duty of candour regulations. Comply with Harrow Healths policies on Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, and Smoking. Professional Standards

Promote high standards of patient care, supported by clinical research and audits.

Adhere to professional codes of conduct relevant to role (e.g. NMC, GMC, HCPC). Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Data Protection Act and internal ISMS policies. Disclose any private interests that may conflict with Harrow Health responsibilities.

A Standard Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is mandatory for this position.

Appraisal & Development

Harrow Health operates a system of individual performance review/appraisal for the purpose of agreeing performance objectives and discussing development needs in line with requirements of service need in the operational plan.

Equal Opportunities

Promote and uphold the principles of Harrow Healths Equal Opportunities Policy throughout all work.

Health & Safety

Take reasonable care of their own and others health and safety. Cooperate with Harrow Health to meet legal health and safety obligations. Report all accidents and incidents promptly.

Declaration

This job description reflects the core duties and responsibilities of the role. It is subject to review and may be amended in consultation with the postholder to reflect service needs. I confirm that I have read and understood this job description.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Understanding of CQC regulations, particularly Regulation 17 Good Governance.
• - Knowledge of Information Governance and Data Protection legislation.
• - Awareness of NHS structures and healthcare regulatory requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• - Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• - Ability to manage sensitive/confidential information appropriately.
• - Ability to analyse data and produce high-quality reports.
• - Capable of working independently and managing own workload.
• - Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Understanding of CQC regulations, particularly Regulation 17 Good Governance.
• - Knowledge of Information Governance and Data Protection legislation.
• - Awareness of NHS structures and healthcare regulatory requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• - Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• - Ability to manage sensitive/confidential information appropriately.
• - Ability to analyse data and produce high-quality reports.
• - Capable of working independently and managing own workload.
• - Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Personal Attributes

Essential

• - Professional, courteous, and calm under pressure.
• - Commitment to high standards of quality and governance.
• - Flexible and proactive approach to work.
• - Collaborator with strong interpersonal skills

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a governance, quality, or risk management role.
• - Experience in handling complaints, SARs, and incident reporting.
• - Experience of managing or contributing to CQC inspections and compliance.

Desirable

• - Experience in healthcare or clinical governance setting (desirable)

Qualifications

Essential

• - Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
• - Relevant governance, risk management, or health-related qualification

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Harrow Health CIC

Address

Second Floor Bank House

7 St Johns Road

Harrow

Middlesex

HA1 2EY

Employer's website

https://www.harrowhealth.org.uk (Opens in a new tab)