Digital and Transformation Lead (EA)

Job title: Digital and Transformation Lead

Responsible to: Senior Federated Services Clinical Manager

Location: Central, East, North & Coalfield's Primary Care Networks

Contract Type: 12-month fixed term

Hours: Proportionate and aligned to Enhanced Access Service

Main duties of the job

Sunderland GP Alliance (SGPA) exists to develop collaborative working between GP practices in line with the NHS strategic direction of travel. Many of the developments that SGPA can facilitate relate to clinical services that are better provided at scale than by individual practices.

Sunderland Enhanced Access Service (EAS) has been developed as an extension to core GP hours to offer increased access to primary care services for the people of Sunderland, registered with a Sunderland GP. The Digital and Transformation Lead is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the service and will play an integral part of scoping and introduction of future developments within this service. The individual will work as part of the Enhanced Access team and on behalf of the PCNs, both in and out of hours supporting continuous development and transformation of the sub-contracted DES service on behalf of the PCNs.

About us

Sunderland GP Alliance is owned by the GP Practices of Sunderland and helps GPs work collaboratively for the benefit of patients and staff. We are a not-for-profit organisation, ensuring any surplus is reinvested back into better services for patients.

By working together, our General Practice community is able to provide innovative services across the city and work collectively with other key system partners. You'll find great examples of this approach across our website including information on our Enhanced Access service, Clinical Pharmacist provision, and ECG service.

We also run a number of practices where we aim to provide the best possible services for patients. All of our practices (where inspected) have been rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission.

Job responsibilities

Objectives of the role

The objective of the Enhanced Access Digital and Transformation Lead is to provide a service-centred source of leadership and management to support increased access to care for patients, by supporting the adoption of new technology and other initiatives to improve care and support sustainability of practices, by aiding service transformation within the Enhanced Access service.

The post holder will work closely with the ICB Primary Care and Digital teams to ensure local transformation plans and activity are aligned to the ICB Primary Care priorities e.g. improving access and PCN Development, the ICB Digital Strategy and the recommendations within the Fuller Report, including:

• Optimisation of digital ways of working
• Retention & development of multi-professional teams
• Hardwiring the system to support change through quality Improvement

The post holder will help to develop strategy related to transformation and improvement, aligning this with larger scale strategy and initiatives; but will focus their time on the planning, implementation and evaluation of practical improvements that make a difference to patients and staff, ensuring they address health inequalities and champion diversity and inclusion.

The post holder will work closely with staff working at practice and PCN level to understand current service models, identify challenges, agree priorities for improvement and then support these to be introduced and delivered to enhance the EA service.

The post holder will develop strong relationships with PCN member practices and will support the planning and delivery of improvements that will provide benefits both at individual practice level and at the level of the PCN.

With responsibility for developing and supporting delivery of transformational projects within the Enhanced Access Service, the post holder will require expertise in communications and engagement and specifically in bringing people together and gaining support and buy-in to change.

The ideal candidate will need to be proactive, have proven leadership skills, have a passion for Primary Care and have a proven track record in delivering Primary Care improvements.

The remit of this role is broad and will require attention to detail in delivering high-quality day-to-day operations both in hours and out of hours.

Strategic Planning

• To lead and develop a strategic transformation plan within Enhanced Access for the aligned PCNs including managing risks, considering the potential impacts on the wider organisation and determining resource requirements.
• To facilitate the introduction of a new rota management system within the service.
• To clarify objectives and priorities for PCN delivery in line with operational capacity, financial parameters and contract requirements.
• To use business intelligence tools to aid data-driven decisions in respect of understanding demand, capacity and activity to drive improvements.
• To develop a project toolkit to support transformation and OD projects within the PCN.
• Ensure digital and operational PCN transformation is aligned with ICS and ICP strategies.
• Coordinate with and bring in additional specialist expertise when required to deliver transformation plans, e.g. in analytics, evaluation, policy, IT systems, estates etc.
• Drive the planning and prioritisation of changes that will improve the delivery of care and improve patient and staff experience in the practices within the PCN.

Operations

• To provide oversight and accountability of the delivery of Enhanced Access PCN DES, projects and specifications.
• To provide oversight and accountability of the day-to-day delivery of the service.
• Identify and record risks and issues and develop contingency plans with PCNs.
• Ensure all relevant national strategies, policies, targets and frameworks are fully implemented.
• To drive issues through to resolution, acting as a point of expertise.
• To implement network-based projects where appropriate and within scope of the service.
• Work alongside practices to understand current challenges to effective service delivery and identify solutions.
• Support employees to identify and participate in relevant training and/or professional development opportunities that will support achievement of agreed improvements.

Finance and Governance

• To ensure that the PCN's physical and financial resources are managed and maintained for maximum effectiveness.

Digital Infrastructure and Information Management

• To ensure that aligned PCNs maximise their use of business intelligence tools.
• Review and improve the PCNs digital maturity and integration within the service.
• Develop a continuous improvement approach to digital accessibility for our patients and workforce.
• Bring together data from a variety of sources and use information to develop insights into working practices, effectively tailoring content to meet the needs of the audience.
• Create data packs to assess the impact of changes and support decision-making that includes, but is not limited to, demand, capacity, utilisation data, employee and patient experience.

Relationship Management

• To foster a culture of collaboration and promote learning to drive continuous improvement.
• To work as a flexible member of the existing Enhanced Access team and the PCN, providing support to other team members when necessary.
• Develop and deliver a communication plan using a wide variety of channels.
• To take an active role in the development and embedding of the PCN's culture, values and reputation.
• To represent the Enhanced Access team at external meetings, promote the engagement of all PCN practices and act as an ambassador for the EA service.
• To proactively build relationships with system leaders to help influence proactive and new models of care.
• Lead or participate in relevant working groups, including PCN contract KPI meetings to agree changes, share learning, discuss challenges and resolves issues.

Health and Safety

• To comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
• To apply all principles of Health and Safety and CQC requirements including in relation to aligned PCN hub sites.
• To take responsibility for his/her own health and safety and that of other persons who may be affected by his/her own acts or omissions.
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.
• Identifying and reporting potential risks.

Equality and diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues by:

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures, policies, and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming.
• Behaving in a manner that is non-judgmental and respects circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Risk Management and Clinical Governance

• To work within the Clinical Governance Framework of the PCN, incorporating Risk Management and all other quality initiatives.

Confidentiality

• To maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients, staff and other users of the services in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations including outside of work environment. Any breach of confidentiality may render the individual liable of dismissal and/or prosecution.

Key Attributes

• The ability to work calmly under pressure.
• The ability to process and manage conflicting advice and priorities.
• The ability to influence decisions without line management authority.
• The ability to adapt your leadership and management style to different situations.
• To deliver technical information in a non-technical and engaging way to a range of stakeholders.
• Patience.
• To be able to work as part of a dispersed team.
• To be positive and solution-focused.
• Commitment to professional development.
• The ability to design a manageable workload.
• Experience of working in general practice with a detailed knowledge of general practice systems, processes, and procedures.
• Experience of successfully delivering change and improvement programmes in a patient-facing environment.
• A proven track record of communicating and engaging with a wide range of staff and stakeholders; building excellent and trusted relationships.
• Significant experience of driving change including translating strategic objectives into tangible plans for delivery.
• Ability to use data and insight to both drive change and also to understand and adapt programmes of work.
• Ability to work and make decisions autonomously, and to identify and act on challenges to move delivery forward, potentially working to tight timescales.
• Ability to understand, interpret and present complex and/or sensitive information.
• Ability to interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a range of sources and present it in a clear and concise way to stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to engage successfully with a wide range of people at all levels within the organisation.
• Experience of championing diversity and inclusion and promoting actions to make improvements to the experience of diverse groups.
• A clear and ongoing commitment to improving NHS services for the benefit of patients.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of working in a rapidly changing environment.
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• An appreciation of the nature of general practice.
• Experience and success of motivating and managing people.
• Experience of working in teams and able to promote a team spirit.
• Basic understanding of employment law and employment-related legislation.
• Working in an IT-dependent environment.
• Financial management including allocation of resources & making efficiencies.
• Awareness of CQC requirements.
• Understanding of contractual obligations.
• Working knowledge of key regional and national strategic healthcare developments, particularly in relation to GP Enhanced Access services.

Qualifications

• Good level of general education ie to GCSE/A level standard.
• UK driving licence.
• UK work permit (if required).
• Qualification or equivalent experience of operating clinical services.
• Evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development and training in different areas of management.
• Experience of working in Primary Care within Sunderland.
• Management of the EMIS clinical record system and appointment books.
• The ability to problem solve and provide solutions.
• An understanding of the complexities of working across multiple providers.
• Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams and able to promote a one team ethos, regardless of organisational barriers.
• Experience of service development and implementation.
• Ability to positively manage change and introduce new ways of working.
• Relevant management / Degree or professional qualification/ working towards.
• Leadership course.

Other

• Able to travel between various locations.
• Understands the principles of equality and diversity.
• Commitment to addressing health inequalities and patient empowerment.
• Organise others' work patterns as well as own to meet changing service needs.

Motivation and Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT / analytical skills.
• Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Work effectively independently and as a team member.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to recognise own limitations and act accordingly.
• Willingness to learn new skills and to problem solve.
• Reliability, excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Ability to work autonomously, make decisions, delegate to ensure safe service delivery.
• Solution-focused and ability to redirect workloads to ensure safe service delivery.
• Ability to manage change and introduce new ways of working.
• Ability to successfully manage conflict.
• Self-motivated able to work with minimal direction.
• Ability to work steadily towards goals regardless of distractions.
• Adaptable, innovative, forward-looking.
• Gains respect through leading by example.
• Honest, caring and sympathetic.
• Strategic thinking with vision.
• Hard working, reliable and resourceful.
• Willing to work flexible hours as necessary.