Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Continuous Improvement Lead

The closing date is 11 June 2025

Job summary

The Continuous Improvement Lead, a vital function of the Network Management Office, contributes significantly to the Network's purpose: to foster and facilitate collaborative approaches to developing Neurosurgery services in the North West of England.

New to the region and in its establishment phase, this is an exciting time to join the Network. In this role, you will be uniquely able to develop the Network's improvement programme and embed continuous improvement culture and science.

We seek a talented professional who can embed continuous improvement cultures and science to initiate improvement methodology and collaboratively produce improvement benefits with local teams.

As an expert, the role brings insight and consultation, collaboratively producing improvement projects with providers and partners to improve serviceaccess, outcomes andexperience.

Main duties of the job

The role works across the Network independently and is responsible for the whole continuous improvement process, enabling significant aspects of the Network's strategy. Close working relationships with Network leaders, and broader collaboration are key.

The Continuous Improvement Lead develops the Network's improvement programme and embeds continuous improvement culture and science. The role is pivotal in providing the Network with expertise and advice.

Central to the role are five responsibilities:

  1. Strategic- Lead the Continuous Improvement Programme, implementing improvement culture and science to the Network
  2. People - Engage, consult, include, and proactively plan with providers, stakeholders (including patients and the public), and partners
  3. Professional acumen - Skillfully navigate the Continuous Improvement Programme amongst the broader Network and system
  4. Outcomes focus - Deliver planned improvement outcomes, evaluate their impact and grow the Network's continuous improvement capabilities
  5. Collaboration and partnerships - Develop collaborative approaches and partnerships to enhance plans

For detailed information please review the attached documents.

About us

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we're always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values - care, appreciate and inspire - to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Details

Date posted

02 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-HOS-AC145-25-A

Job locations

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

M6 8HD


Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Job description

Job responsibilities

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website: www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Post Graduate Degree or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • A relevant improvement qualification or evidence of applied improvement methods

Desirable

  • Complementary relevant professional qualifications

Professional Registration

Desirable

  • Membership of a relevant professional body

Knowledge

Essential

  • Continuous improvement science and culture
  • NHS improvement change, and leadership models (such as NHS IMPACT)
  • NHS data sources (such as The Model Health System)
  • Relevant statutory requirements
  • Analysis methods to develop and monitor strategically aligned improvement plans
  • Qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods (such as Statistical Process Control and Social Value)
  • The North West Neurosurgery Specialised Services Clinical Network and the principles of collaborative NHS models
  • Budget management and control methods
  • Microsoft 365 applications

Desirable

  • Project management methods, governance, and controls
  • Using advanced data analysis for improvement, such as multiple data source merge and predication modelling
  • Neurosurgery services and associated performance standards and relevant Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) recommendations

Experience

Essential

  • Applying continuous improvement methodology to address complex issues
  • Working across organisational boundaries at various levels
  • Programme setting
  • Project objective and benefit setting
  • Consulting, engaging and motivating stakeholders
  • Leading and participating in change
  • Leading audit and peer review

Desirable

  • Working in a collaborative multi-organisation model (NHS or other)
  • Consulting, engaging, and including the public and patients in plans
  • Costing and evaluating programmes
  • Contributing to a professional interest group
  • Reporting progress informally and formally
  • Adapting plans to mitigate risk and manage outcomes
  • Commissioning services, managing allocated finances and supplier contracts
  • Obtaining relevant regulatory approval
  • Providing training, support, and advice
  • Line management
  • Recruitment

Skills

Essential

  • A broad range of communication and engagement methods
  • Producing information (such as policies, plans, and presentations) with accuracy, attention to detail and clear, articulate English
  • Analysing the context and appraising options
  • Negotiating
  • Problem identification and prediction
  • Critical thinking
  • Forming and maintaining productive, stakeholder relationships
  • Managing projet documentation, including minute taking, diary management, summary and risk and issue logging

Desirable

  • Research
  • Using advanced data visualisation tools, such as Microsoft Power BI
  • Facilitating engaging interactive and collaborative workshops and events
  • Networking, relationship management, motivating and influencing without authority

Abilities

Essential

  • Prioritise, schedule and adapt work patterns amongst ambiguity
  • Present complex ideas, models, and data compellingly
  • Modify approaches to engage, influence, and work collaboratively with varied groups, communities, and individuals
  • Set and monitor quality standards
  • Use own initiative to deliver high-quality work, seek and provide advice, horizon scan and develop new opportunities

Desirable

  • 'Spot the opportunity' amongst detailed policy, complex discussions, and issues
  • Engage with economic sectors and industries beyond health and social care, broadening the Network's stakeholder scope, influence, and impact
  • Draft policies and supporting documentation
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Post Graduate Degree or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • A relevant improvement qualification or evidence of applied improvement methods

Desirable

  • Complementary relevant professional qualifications

Professional Registration

Desirable

  • Membership of a relevant professional body

Knowledge

Essential

  • Continuous improvement science and culture
  • NHS improvement change, and leadership models (such as NHS IMPACT)
  • NHS data sources (such as The Model Health System)
  • Relevant statutory requirements
  • Analysis methods to develop and monitor strategically aligned improvement plans
  • Qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods (such as Statistical Process Control and Social Value)
  • The North West Neurosurgery Specialised Services Clinical Network and the principles of collaborative NHS models
  • Budget management and control methods
  • Microsoft 365 applications

Desirable

  • Project management methods, governance, and controls
  • Using advanced data analysis for improvement, such as multiple data source merge and predication modelling
  • Neurosurgery services and associated performance standards and relevant Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) recommendations

Experience

Essential

  • Applying continuous improvement methodology to address complex issues
  • Working across organisational boundaries at various levels
  • Programme setting
  • Project objective and benefit setting
  • Consulting, engaging and motivating stakeholders
  • Leading and participating in change
  • Leading audit and peer review

Desirable

  • Working in a collaborative multi-organisation model (NHS or other)
  • Consulting, engaging, and including the public and patients in plans
  • Costing and evaluating programmes
  • Contributing to a professional interest group
  • Reporting progress informally and formally
  • Adapting plans to mitigate risk and manage outcomes
  • Commissioning services, managing allocated finances and supplier contracts
  • Obtaining relevant regulatory approval
  • Providing training, support, and advice
  • Line management
  • Recruitment

Skills

Essential

  • A broad range of communication and engagement methods
  • Producing information (such as policies, plans, and presentations) with accuracy, attention to detail and clear, articulate English
  • Analysing the context and appraising options
  • Negotiating
  • Problem identification and prediction
  • Critical thinking
  • Forming and maintaining productive, stakeholder relationships
  • Managing projet documentation, including minute taking, diary management, summary and risk and issue logging

Desirable

  • Research
  • Using advanced data visualisation tools, such as Microsoft Power BI
  • Facilitating engaging interactive and collaborative workshops and events
  • Networking, relationship management, motivating and influencing without authority

Abilities

Essential

  • Prioritise, schedule and adapt work patterns amongst ambiguity
  • Present complex ideas, models, and data compellingly
  • Modify approaches to engage, influence, and work collaboratively with varied groups, communities, and individuals
  • Set and monitor quality standards
  • Use own initiative to deliver high-quality work, seek and provide advice, horizon scan and develop new opportunities

Desirable

  • 'Spot the opportunity' amongst detailed policy, complex discussions, and issues
  • Engage with economic sectors and industries beyond health and social care, broadening the Network's stakeholder scope, influence, and impact
  • Draft policies and supporting documentation

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

M6 8HD


Employer's website

https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

M6 8HD


Employer's website

https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Neurosurgery SSCN Manager

Alastair Leslie-Dakers

alastair.lesliedakers@nca.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

02 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

236-HOS-AC145-25-A

Job locations

Salford Royal Hospital

Stott Lane

Salford

M6 8HD


Supporting documents

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