Co – Lead: National Clinical Programme In Surgery

at  RCSI

Grade: Consultant Surgeon
Department: Department of Surgical Affairs
Area: National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS), HSE & RCSI
Tenure: This assignment will be for 2 Days /week for 24 months (Renewable)
Location: National – RCSI 121 St Stephens Green, Hospital Group and at Local Hospital Level.
Reporting to: Acute Hospitals - National Clinical Advisor Group Lead (NCAGL) & National Clinical Strategy & Programmes Director and working closely with the National Clinical
Programme in Surgery (NCPS) and Project Support Office RCSI. RCSI: Managing Director of Surgical Affairs and Committee for Surgical Affairs of RCSI.
The National Clinical Programme in Surgery
Building on the work of the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS), is seeking a Co- Lead for National Clinical Programme in Surgery.
The first phase of National Clinical Programme in Surgery was based on strong clinical leadership and developing excellence in specialties/specific conditions and specific populations. The NCPS next stage will address Quality Improvement with all Surgical Specialties and support for the integrated care programmes, to provide a more effective end-to-end patient journey, particularly where patient needs are complex and involve multiple encounters delivered across a range of providers.
The aim of the National Clinical Programme in Surgery is to provide a framework for the delivery of safer, timely, accessible, more cost effective and efficient care for the surgical patient: by placing the needs and views of the patient/service user at the center of care plans; supporting optimal use of resources, avoiding unnecessary delays in care and facilitating seamless co-ordination of care across multiple settings. Put simply, the programme aims to ensure that patients/service users receive the right care, by the right person, in the right place, at the right time. The ultimate goal is better outcomes and experience for patients and staff.
The sponsor for this role is the Clinical Design and Innovation (CDI) and National Clinical Advisors and Group Leads (NCAGL) for the Acute Hospital.

CLINICAL/ PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrates:

• Credibility and ability to command respect as a recognised clinical leader within the clinical community with a good understanding of the reform programme and its requirements of clinical leaders.
• Experience of providing significant senior clinical input to operational decision making.
• A track record as an effective leader who has developed effective teams and driven and delivered sustainable change programmes to transform clinical services.
• A capacity to operate successfully and efficiently in a challenging environment.
• A commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to improve patient outcomes, by consistently putting clinicians at the heart of decision making and involving patients and the public in their work.
• Demonstrate capability to effectively engage in the development of a transparent and objective resource utilisation model.
• Results focused with critical analysis and decision making
• Strong personal emphasis on achieving high standards of excellence and willingness to take personal responsibility to initiate activities and drive objectives through to a conclusion.
• Ability to rapidly assimilate and analyse complex information, make timely decisions and take ownership of those decisions and their implications.
• Capacity to anticipate problems and to recognise when to involve other parties at the appropriate time and level.
• Capacity to integrate scientific research, use data and best clinical practice in knowledge generation, transfer and application and seeks out innovative solutions.
• Acceptance of, and comfort with, environments characterised by ambiguity, change management, continuous development and a requirement for flexible and creative approaches to resolution.

Demonstrates:

• The ability to influence and negotiate effectively in furthering the objectives of the role.
• The ability to build excellent collaborative networks and a track record of building and maintaining key internal and external relationships in furtherance of organisational goals.
• Recognition and respect for the expertise of others and the contribution of team members; to harness good teamwork and open contributions to enable the achievement of programme aims.
• Highly developed communication skills which include an ability to convey clinical priorities and complex messages to colleagues, various stakeholders, media and interest groups.

Candidates interested in being considered for this position should apply by submitting a CV, together with a brief note clearly indicating their relevant experience. Applicants must apply through the online portal at www.rcsi.ie/careers
Informal enquiries can be made to Mr. Kieran Ryan, Managing Director Surgical Affairs through e-mail: kryan@RCSI.ie

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to RCSI Committee for Surgical Affairs (the RCSI Clinical Programmes oversight committee) or its designate (Managing Director of Surgical Affairs) and through the National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS), Acute Hospitals - National Clinical Advisor Group Lead (NCAGL) and National Clinical Strategy & Programmes Director. The above Role Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.

THE DUTIES AND ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE WORKING TOWARDS THE FOLLOWING:

• To always act in the best interests of patient care with regard to the quality, safety and efficiency of that care whether delivered nationally or locally and independent of self or vested interests
• To support and implement the key principles set out by National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS) and those of the specialty itself through engagement with HSE Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, Hospitals and Hospital Groups and other Clinical Programmes
• To develop a succinct and evidence based Model(s) of Care as an addendum to the NCPS’s Elective and Acute Models of Care.
• To review, interrogate and summaries all available national activity data including NQAIS, NOCA audits and HSE performance metrics, including Waiting Lists (SDU, NTPF), Staffing profiles (NDTP) etc.
• Having a knowledge and maintaining a map of the services delivered nationally and within and across Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations.
• To document an up to date assessment of the present surgical workforce both nationally and within and across Hospital Groups and advise the Consultant Application and Appointment Committee on the appointment of new and replacement posts.
• To provide feedback to update and inform the NCPS, the Directorate of Clinical Strategy and Programmes, the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead Acute Hospitals Division and the RCSI Committee for Surgical Affairs
• To bring final documents/reports/recommendations to the RCSI committee for Surgical Affairs for consideration and recommendations to Council of RCSI.
• To attend NCPS and relevant healthcare meetings, visit hospitals and clinical sites as necessary and participate in creating an NCPS surgery learning hub that captures learning from good practice.
• To identify, highlight and address problem areas for that specialty be they related to quality, safety, process, cost, structural, staffing, professional or governance issues.
• To drive Quality Improvement initiatives in that specialty working with other specialties, Clinical Programmes, Nursing and Allied Health Professionals: starting with a single QI initiative to include the Acute Floor, In-patient and Theatre, Waiting lists and Planned or Elective processes across the patient journey.
• To work with RCSI’s Health Outcomes Research Committee where and when appropriate.
• To represent RCSI and NCPS at relevant meetings or conferences as required
• Comply with Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation.
• Comply with the Ethics in Public Office (a copy of this declaration should be forwarded to the office of the Director of Clinical Strategy and Programmes each year).
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.