Clinical Audit and Research Assistant

Job summary

There are 4 specific aspects to this post.

To support the Clinical Audit and Research Unit (CARU) team in collating local Clinical Performance Indicator (CPI) and Ambulance Clinical Quality Indicator (ACQI) reports. To collate and produce reports on the national clinical performance indicators, which involves liaising with other ambulance services and ensuring that the data is accurate and timely. To populate data registries and ensure that the information is disseminated to audit leads in a timely manner. To work on research projects as directed by the Research and Evaluation Manager.

Main duties of the job

By agreement with management ensure with other team members that the implementation of the Clinical Audit Plan for the Trust is in accordance with National and Local priorities. Provide clinical audit data for clinical performance indicators or for other audit purposes and collate the reports for the National Ambulance Services MDs and CEOs. Use clinical audit data to provide evidence in support of the effectiveness of clinical practice. Carry out evidence search as appropriate Assist with all aspects of information work within the Clinical Governance, Audit & Research Unit. Assist in management and analysis of complex datasets using spreadsheets, databases and other software tools. Prepare data from a range of sources. Liaise with research teams to co-ordinate research within the trust. Carry out checks for data quality and consistency Validation of clinical information in line with procedures, guidance or precedent. Reformatting and validating data appropriately. Run and disseminate regular activity and performance reports using a wide range of data sources. Ensure information is provided to a cycle of deadlines and timely, high-quality reports are presented in line with departmental procedure or precedent. May be required to undertake preparation and submission of statutory and routine reporting as required. Attend mandatory training and meetings as required by the organisation and any other training identified as necessary within the team.

About us

For further details / informal visits contact: Name Gemma Squires Job title Research and Evaluation Manager Email address G

Do you want to make a difference?

Do you like working as part of a supportive and motivated team?

Would you like generous NHS Benefits, including 27 annual leave days (plus 8 days bank holiday) and NHS Pension? (service dependant)

Would you like to develop your career in the Ambulance Service?

If you answered yes to these questions, then we would welcome an application from you.

Benefits

Competitive NHS salary A standard working week of hours Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working Generous Pension Scheme Career and salary progression Free parking across Trust sites Staff networks Wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Relationship Skills

Ability to present highly complex information verbally and in writing, adjusting styles to meet the requirements of different audiences. This will include interpreting statistical and analytical results from clinical audit, service evaluation and research in order to explain their meaning to non-statistical/analytical professionals. Maintain effective relationships with various departments, managers and external stakeholders in relation to (for example) ACQIs, Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP), CPIs and internal clinical audit & research projects. Provide clear, accurate information to the Head of Clinical Governance, Audit and Research, Deputy head of Clinical Audit & Research and the Research and Evaluation Manager to ensure decisions are taken based on robust evidence. Communicate highly sensitive Patient Identifiable Information in line with legislation, policy and procedure.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Experience of data analysis and associated software packages MS Excel Experience of data manipulation including storage, retrieval and updating. Experience in application of Caldicott Guidelines and Data Protection Legislation. Responsible for ensuring own knowledge is kept up-to-date, attending training and gaining qualifications where appropriate. Experience of working in clinical research within the NHS

Analytical and Judgement Skills

Abstract and analyse patient medical records to determine whether patient care has been delivered in accordance with clinical guidelines ( CPIs, ACQIs, clinical audit). Comparing data from different sources and judging the appropriate source for the task in hand ( CAD, paper/electronic patient report forms, MINAP) Able to provide quality, consistency and accuracy during all aspects of data collection, cleansing, analysis and presentation. Make judgements involving complex facts or situations, many of which require analysis ( clinical audit).

Planning and Organisational Skills

Planning and Organisational Skills

The post holder will be required to work regularly without supervision. Meet strict deadlines for routine reports and submission of performance management figures ( ACQIs, CQIs). Pro-actively manage own workload, prioritising unpredictable and conflicting demands while still meeting statutory deadlines. Dealing with information requests from a wide range of stakeholders, often with short deadlines.

Physical Skills

Will be sitting at a computer more or less continuously on most days and will require standard keyboard skills. May be required to lift archive boxes of paper patient report forms. Home based within occasional travel to office as required to meet with team / line management Occasional travel to meetings or for training purposes may be required.

Patient/Client Care

May advise patients on accessing their medical records. No face to face patient contact.

Policy/Service Development

Implement policies for own area of responsibility and propose policy/service changes for own work area.

Financial and Physical Resources

Observe a personal duty of care in relation to equipment and resources used in the course of work.

Human Resources

Provide non-clinical advice relating to clinical information. May need to demonstrate reporting tools occasionally and advise operational staff on completing station patient report form compliance audits. Identify areas for own personal development to continually improve performance. Taking part in the appraisal and personal development process and undertake development activities that are identified.

Information Resources

Shared responsibility for maintaining one or more clinical information resources. Input, manipulate and extract data accurately as required to provide clinical information. Prepare and present information in analyses, reports and projects as required. Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive patient information in both paper and electronic formats.

Research and Development

Undertake surveys and audits as necessary to work area to support the audit and research programmes. Undertake regular clinical audit projects, data collection and manipulation, data analysis and interpretation and production of results and reports. Assist with research projects as instructed by the Research and Evaluation Manager

Freedom to Act

Is guided by standard departmental procedures, good practice and established precedents and understands what results or standards are to be achieved. Manager usually available for reference and work may be checked on a sample/random basis.

Mental Effort

Frequent requirement for prolonged concentration and attention to detail when processing data, conducting analysis and preparing reports. Requires accuracy and continual checking of own work.

Emotional Effort

Exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances is rare but some of the datasets can be distressing on occasion child deaths.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Internal

Head of Clinical Audit and Research Deputy Head of Clinical Audit and Research Research and Evaluation Manager Clinical Audit Manager Clinical Information Assistant Wider research team. Senior Clinical Managers Locality Ambulance Quality Managers Locality Managers Paramedic Team Leaders Business Intelligence Unit Records Manager Information Governance Manager

External

Clinical audit and research staff from external ambulance trusts and the wider healthcare community. Police Coroners officer Department of Health analysts and statisticians (for ACQIs) Person Specification

Qualifications/Professional/Development

Essential

Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience. Advanced keyboard skills Highly literate and numerate

Desirable

ECDL Clinical audit or research qualification GCP certification

Experience

Essential

Experience of maintaining accurate data resources Advanced experience of using MS Word and MS Excel

Desirable

Experience of using MS PowerBi for data analysis Experience of Statistical Process Control (SPC) Experience of research protocol

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Knowledge of Data Protection and Caldicott Some knowledge of medical terminology Excellent IT, literacy and numeracy skills

Desirable

Knowledge of data analysis and associated software MS Access, MS Excel Understanding of the Trust Clinical Audit Programme, Clinical Performance Indicators and Ambulance Clinical Quality Indicators.

Personal Attributes

Essential

Displays intelligence and a strong ability to acquire new skills and knowledge quickly. Good problem solving and critical thinking skills. Able to use own initiative and to work independently as well as in a team. Ability to locate information from a wide range of reference sources if needed in order to complete the task in hand the internet, books, guidance documents. Able to produce consistently accurate reports and data. Displays a high level of attention to detail. Able to effectively review own work for errors and inconsistencies. Capable of managing own workload in accordance with pre-determined deadlines. Able to respond to urgent requests when necessary. Displays a calm, sensitive and diplomatic manner in interpersonal relationships. Ability to work flexibly in the department. Willing to work flexibly across the Trust service area.

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