Job Description

This is a varied and interesting post within the Service Agreement team, which is an embedded Business Intelligence function within the Finance Department based in Cheltenham.



We are looking for a forward thinking, Information Analyst (Projects) to support the Trust's income function as we work in closer collaboration with our local health economy partners. As part of the team you will support the Trusts commissioner contract monitoring and billing processes. The role has a particular focus on high cost drug and device reporting.



The post holder will have an opportunity to support and develop the income function within the Trust, working with key stakeholders to ensure that patient level activity and income is reported to a very high standard.



This role is integral to the function of the Income team and will be responsible for ensuring activity is fully recorded and priced in line with the NHS Payment Scheme rules. The post holder will also have a lead role in managing projects that develop the departments income reporting as the needs of internal and external stakeholders evolve.



As part of the team's agile working policy, the successful candidate will work a minimum of two days in the office.

The proposed interview date is:

27th June



The Service Agreements team acts as an embedded business intelligence function within the Finance Department and is therefore mainly composed of staff with a business intelligence analytical background. The flow of income into the Trust is directly dependent on the reports generated by the Service Agreement team.



The post holder primarily has responsibility for the development and provision of information to the Trust and its external agencies. This encompasses activity at both Acute and Community sites within the county and covers reporting on activity to ICB's and other commissioners in order to ensure that the Trust receives appropriate income.



The post holder will provide accurate, concise and clear information to support the Trust in its business and clinical processes. They will analyze and manipulate complex data sets and produce high quality management information for the Trust's senior managers and clinical staff.



The postholder will maintain, develop and enhance work systems to support reporting processes particularly with reference to contracting and performance monitoring including leading on reporting of high-cost tariff excluded drugs and devices.



The successful candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills being a team player who can effectively and efficiently work in a fast changing environment. You will have knowledge of the NHS Payment Scheme and have sound experience of using Microsoft Excel and database (SQL) management.



The Service Agreement Team is responsible for providing analytical support for the Trust's external reporting processes. Most importantly, this covers reporting on activity and income to commissioners in order to ensure that the Trust receives appropriate funding; it also includes the provision of performance monitoring reports to external agencies including Integrated Care Boards (ICB's), NHS England both Specialised and Direct Commissioning functions and Welsh Local Health Boards (LHB's). The team also provides expert advice to senior clinical and managerial colleagues within and outside the Trust on contracting and performance monitoring issues.



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. Substantial experience of working in informationfinance 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 Trust's 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:

Working in partnership with other teams and with external organizations, including ICBs, NHS England, etc



The development of other members with in the Information Team,



Sharing of knowledge with other information unit team members, and training of more junior members of the team,



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 lead on the reporting of tariff excluded high cost drugs and devices as well as managing 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 Trust's 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.

Additional Information:

The interview will be conducted face to face only in the Cheltenham office.



There is an expectation that the successful candidate will attend work in the Cheltenham office for at least a minimum of 2 days a week (with the remaining days in the 5 day working week being remote access). Currently the two days that the team are working within the office are Wednesday and Thursday.



The format of the interview will be a 20min computer-based Excel test followed by a 40min face to face interview.