Data Analyst (Senior Information Analyst) - Band 6

Job description

Job responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required

The post holder will need to demonstrate.

Graduate education or equivalent experience.

Further educational achievement in an information related field, either acquired by in depth experience or postgraduate study to diploma level.

Minimum of 3 years experience of working in information\finance management, or equivalent NHS experience.

Excellent keyboard and Microsoft office skills to deal with a wide range of IT applications which are highly time driven.

Expert technical specialist knowledge of information systems, including in depth knowledge of NHS data definitions, clinical terminology and coding systems. This includes a thorough understanding of the current issues facing the NHS and the role of information in this context.

Expert skills in complex data extraction from the Trusts information databases including the use of structured query programming language (SQL) and manipulation of complex data sets from the Business Intelligence warehouse, using skills at an advanced level of expertise.

Civica SLAM knowledge is desirable but not essential

Knowledge of statistical techniques.

A high level of technical understanding of the NHS financial and contracting systems and an awareness of the business-critical implications for the Trust.

Ability to manage and prioritize own workload to achieve Trust priorities and objectives in an effective and efficient manner.

Expert level of skill in information analysis and synthesis, including the ability to receive highly complex and sensitive information on patient details and diagnoses and the ability to interpret and draw conclusions from it, and synthesise new knowledge from the findings. The data may be conflicting and contentious to those receiving it. Ability to identify problems and inconsistencies with complex data and produce workable solutions.

High level of negotiation and influencing skills. Ability to engage with senior staff at a professional level to identify management information needs. Ability to consider problems and issues in the broad context and look beyond the immediate situation.

Ability to produce high quality written reports using a range of Microsoft office programmes and tools, and other software.

Occasional representation of the team at meetings including projects related to role

Ability to embrace new skills, ways of working and positively influence junior team members.

Flexibility to deal with unpredictable workloads.

Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods despite interruptions.

Good communication skills to facilitate:

o working in partnership with other teams and with external organizations, including ICBs, NHS England, etco the development of other members with in the Information Team,o sharing of knowledge with other information unit team members, and training of more junior members of the team,o recruitment skills and basic knowledge of HR policies and procedures.

Experience of project management is desirable.

Commitment to continued professional and personal development.

Communication and Work Relationships

Director of Finance and other senior colleagues in the Finance teams

Clinical Directors, consultants, and other medical grades

Trust Assistant Directors, General Managers and other staff

Senior Nurses, Allied Health Professionals and their staff

Finance team, Divisional Information team, Clinical Coding Managers, Clinical Systems Manager, IHCS Manager and their staff

Clinical Audit team

Information and Commissioning colleagues at local Trusts and ICBs

Patients and members of the public

Key Result Areas Responsible for the development, preparation, validation and submission of high quality income reports to non-negotiable deadlines which reflect contracting, performance and operational issues and identify where action may be required. Identify and highlight any areas of concern with regard to data quality and accuracy and undertaking appropriate action as required.

Responsible for high level analysis, interpretation, synthesis and presentation of information reports for identified specialties to ensure managers are advised of any potential problem areas; the information to be presented in a clear and concise manner, and where appropriate to recommend solutions.

Reducing in year commissioner challenges through data cleaning and DQIP updates

To understand the technical procedures required to prepare data in support of national NHS payment guidelines (historically in the form of PbR) and more generally to provide technical resilience within the team to support business continuity at times of staff absence and / or high workload pressure.

Particular areas of focus in the role will be to support on the reporting of tariff excluded high cost drugs and devices as well as supporting in projects to develop income reporting in general.

Report back and decide any appropriate follow on action.

To maintain appropriate documentation of all procedures adequate for the purposes of internal validation and external audit

To assist in the negotiation and agreement of service and financial frameworks with commissioners.

Contribute to development and design of internal reports. Such reports to be relevant, produced to deadlines, and to support the Trust in meeting its objectives.

Understand and interpret complex adhoc requests and respond appropriately to tight deadlines. This entails the analysis, investigation and resolution of complex information issues.

Provision of information reports to support business cases for the development of clinical services to improve patient care on a regular basis. Provision of indirect clinical information, interpreted by the post holder, for example to Dr Foster.

Provision of information for auditing purposes.

Train and informally mentor junior staff within the team. Share knowledge and experience with other members of the department on a regular basis.

Implement policy changes in own work area and help formulate policy changes for other information and clinical areas across the Trust.

Identify and highlight any areas of concern with regard to data quality and accuracy and undertake appropriate action as required.

To participate in the reporting on non-contracted activity and overseas patients in line with prevailing regulations to ensure the Trusts income is received.

Most challenging part of the role

Having sufficiently highly developed specialist knowledge of the service to enable presentation of complex and contentious reports to Clinical Boards or equivalent meetings, and being able to appropriately persuade and influence clinicians and other Board Members.

Understanding the complexities of the NHS Payment Scheme and Foundation Trust contracting process and keeping up to date with the rapidly changing requirements.

To ensure that all statutory submissions are returned accurately and on time within tight deadlines

Being able to communicate, at all levels across the Trust, the importance of information in support of Trust functions and patient care.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Graduate or equivalent experience
• GCSE Maths and English must be specified.

Experience

Essential

• Substantial experience working in NHS Information Management
• Demonstrate experience of NHS information management.
• The ability to exercise own initiative and work independently to achieve objectives and deadlines.

Knowledge / Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate good SQL server and Excel skills, together with understanding of Information databases.
• Expert level of skill in information analysis, including the ability to prepare high quality written reports turning data to information
• Good understanding of the NHS National Tariff Payment System (NTPS)

Desirable

• Experience of loading and reporting patient level data using CIVICA SLAM

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

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cheltenham General Hospital

Cheltenham

GL53 7AN

Employer's website

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