VDPS Medical Assessment Assurance Lead

at  NHS Business Services Authority

You will play a key role within our Service in ensuring medical assessments are delivered to the required standard in a consistent manner.
You will be a GMC Registered Medical Practitioner, with a licence to practice, with extensive post-graduate experience. You will also have demonstrable experience of Injury Assessment including causation and disablement.
There is flexibility around where you undertake the role, this could be any NHSBSA office location, working from home or hybrid working, but some travel will be required on occasion.
What do we offer?
27 days leave ( increasing with length of service ) plus 8 bank holidays
Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
Flexi time
Hybrid working model (we are currently working largely remotely )
Career development
Active wellbeing and inclusion networks
Excellent pension
NHS Car lease scheme
Access to a wide range of benefits and high street discounts!
Reporting to the Head of Service you will have responsibility for leading and designing activities to support the effective delivery of the service and provide assurance to NHSBSA Leadership Team and Board that medical assessments are undertaken in line with specified requirements and standards. This will involve working closely with the Head of Professional & Clinical Services to define expected standards, measures and reporting to meet the requirements of the NHSBSA Clinical Governance Framework.
In collaboration with the Head of Professional & Clinical Services the Medical Assessment Assurance Leads will provide expert guidance on all matters arising from medical assessments and provide direct support to the team, such as effective management of complex cases and appeals.
The Medical Assessment Assurance Leads will also be key members of the NHSBSA Clinical Network, a network of registered healthcare professionals from across the organisation, with responsibility to participate and actively contribute to ensuring that clinical expertise in the organisation is fully leveraged for the benefit of NHSBSA, the health and care system and wider populations.
Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.
We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we take pride in being part of something so meaningful, that touches millions of lives.
Just as we design our services around the needs of our customers, we place our people at the heart of our organisation. That’s why when you join us, you’ll be empowered and given the right support to help your career grow.
As one of the UK’s Best Big Companies to work for, we’re all connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.
We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every voice is heard, and every colleague is supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, so when you join us, you can connect with our Lived Experience Networks who help us to bring our authentic selves to work.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. We are committed and proud to be a flexible employer and will endeavour to offer a working pattern that suits you wherever possible, whether that be hybrid working, flexible hours, job sharing and more.
Ready to join us on our journey to be a catalyst for better health? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.
We are people connected to care.

Providing direct support and expert guidance to the VDPS administrative team to ensure processes are designed and implemented effectively in line with the requirement of the scheme, current policy and legislation.
Delivering training to the internal teams and third-party medical assessors as required.
Supporting the appeals and tribunals process, including preparation of appropriate materials, witness statements, identification and instruction of appropriate medical experts and attendance as required.
Ensuring complex cases are appropriately identified and managed in a timely manner.
Provide expert VDPS advice and guidance to a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Supporting effective case management in an understanding manner. This will often include detail of cases that are emotionally sensitive and potentially distressing.
Determining suitable evidence, including medical reports, clinical information and supporting material that is required to conduct an effective assessment and providing guidance on this. Ensuring assessments are thorough and consider all facts of each case appropriately and in a consistent manner so that outcomes are fair and appropriate payments are made in line the specific assessment criteria of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act. This on occasion will require the conducting of medical assessments and deep dive assurance investigations of third-party medical assessments.
In collaboration with the Head of Professional & Clinical Services, ensuring effective processes and reporting are in place to meet the requirements of the NHSBSA Clinical governance framework.
Delivery of well-designed activities to provide assurance that VDPS third party medical assessments are undertaken appropriately by qualified and trained professionals, assessments are of the required quality standard and are conducted in a consistent and professional manner to deliver appropriate outcomes.
10. Review and advise NHSBSA on the effectiveness of the VDPS medical assessment process and make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
Designing and undertaking audits to verify medical assessment processes are being followed, the key facts of the case are considered, and the quality and content of the outcome reports are to the required standard. This will involve determining the level of the sample based on risk factors.
Using outputs from assurance activities to inform third party contract service provision reviews and contractual sanctions, which include financial penalties, where required.
Establishing routine monitoring of Issues, challenges, learning from appeals/reversals, complaints, and any operational changes.
Identifying and sharing, internally and with third party medical assessors, as appropriate, the learning from appeals, reversals, and complaints to ensure continuous development of the service and quality improvement and to monitor adoption of that learning.
Ensuring checks are in place to verify suitably qualified and experienced medical assessors are recruited and adequate training and accreditation programme, with supporting training materials, is in place.
Ensuring suitable medical assessment operating procedures are in place with appropriate reviews and quality controls.
Reviewing and monitoring third party medical assessment supplier arrangements for supervising and mentoring new and existing assessors, peer reviews, audit processes and clinical governance strategy and framework to ensure they are robust and meet NHSBSA Clinical Governance Framework standards.
In collaboration with Head of Professional & Clinical Services ensuring mechanisms are in place so that the latest recognised scientific evidence is understood and referenced for the medical assessments.
Designing and implementing a feedback mechanism to the medical assessors and review how effective this feedback is used.
Ensuring an effective mechanism is in place to identify and implement improvement opportunities.
Delivering overview sessions with medical assessors as required to highlight good practice and standards expected.
Building effective professional relationships and networks to ensure appropriate alignment and development of the service with the wider health and care system and the consensus of medical opinion.
Represent the NHSBSA at meetings with external customers (eg. DHSC, HMCTS, third party medical assessor) and take opportunities to enhance the profile and promote the reputation of the NHSBSA and its services