Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement (Grade VIII).
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title, Grade,
Grade Code
Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement (Grade VIII).
Information and Analysis Unit, Quality Improvement Division
Grade Code 0655
Campaign Reference
Closing Date
Proposed interview
Dates
Taking up
Appointment
Location of Post
NRS03330
Friday 5th February 2016 at 12:00 noon
March 2016
Organisational Area
Informal Enquiries
Corporate: Quality Improvement Division
Elaine Fallon, Quality Improvement Division (QID) – email [email protected] or
phone 086 0490528
The Information and Analysis Unit in the Quality Improvement Division, established in
June 2014, is a Corporate function that delivers on the identified priorities for quality
improvement in the HSE. The unit provides leadership and support on measuring and
learning for quality improvement.
Details of Service
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Information and Analysis Unit
Quality Improvement Division
Stewart’s Care Ltd
Mill Lane
Palmerstown,
Dublin 20
Information and Analysis to support Improvement is one of six key priorities for QID.
This unit supports the QID Vision of “working in partnership to create safe quality care”.
We aim to support improvement in the quality of care provided to patients and families:
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By providing data based intelligence related to patient care
By enabling health services to collect, understand and act on information
related to patient care
By understanding how QI activities lead to improvement in quality of care
through qualitative and quantitative evaluation.
Team Structure
The team is led by Dr Jennifer Martin, National QID Lead for Information and Analysis
and consists of people with experience in healthcare and expertise in statistics,
analysis, and project and programme management.
Reporting
Arrangements
Key Working
Relationships
Reports to the QID Lead, Information and Analysis
Purpose of the Post
To deliver on the QID key priority in the area of ‘information and analysis for
improvement’ by
Key working relationships will be within the Quality Improvement Division, Quality and
Patient Safety leads for the service divisions, System Reform Group, HSE service
divisions, Hospital Group Boards/Executive Management teams and Chief Officers of
Community Health Organisations, Department of Health, Regulators, professional
colleges.
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Principal Duties and
Responsibilities
Leading on the evaluation of quality improvement projects to understand if and
how they have improved quality of care
Providing expert advice on qualitative research for the Quality Improvement
Division
Supporting the development of measures of quality
Enabling others within QID and across the HSE to measure and use qualitative
information for quality improvement.
The post holder’s duty is to develop the qualitative evaluation and qualitative research
functions of the Information and Analysis Unit in order that the unit can provide
expertise and support to QID and others undertaking quality improvement projects.
Key responsibilities:
Lead the development of the qualitative evaluation function of the Information and
Analysis Unit.
Lead the development of the qualitative research function of the Information and
Analysis Unit.
Enabling others within QID and across the HSE to measure and use information for
quality improvement
 Provide technical expertise and training to groups, such as collaboratives in
measurement and evaluation of quality improvement projects
 Provide technical expertise and training to service providers in the development
and use of qualitative information for improvement at local service level
 Support QID in evaluation of the forthcoming Framework for Improving Quality
(expected date of publication January on HSE website)
Training
 Complete training in quality improvement (sponsored by QID), if not already
completed.
General Role
 Engage with key stakeholders (Clinical Programmes, HIQA, DOH, Healthcare
Pricing Office) to enable the achievement of the objectives of the role.

Provide guidance to the QID Lead, Information and Analysis and other functions
of the National QID on evaluation and qualitative data issues.
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Represent Information and Analysis team and QID on working groups and
committees as required.
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Prepare an annual report on the programme of work for inclusion in the QID
annual report

Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and
external stakeholders

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.

To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and
waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health
service.
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Eligibility Criteria
Other duties as specified by the lead for the unit
The above Job 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
Candidates must by the closing date for receipt of applications possess the following, as
relevant to the role
Qualifications and/
or experience

An academic award in a health related, science or life sciences discipline at
level 8 (or higher) on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) framework or
equivalent.

Significant experience of qualitative research methodologies and evaluation
methods including health research which have involved large data sets and
data analysis.

Experience of managing and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders

Have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of
management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable
of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would
indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new
entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A
candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the
first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms
for the office occurs.
Other requirements
specific to the post
Skills, competencies
and/or knowledge

Flexibility around working hours will be required in response to the varying demands
of the role.
 The position is office based; however, the successful candidate will be required to
visit relevant clinical settings and attend off site meetings as required.
 Access to own transport as post will involve travel.
Professional Knowledge and Experience
 Evidence of leading on the writing of business cases, project initiation
documents and project reports

Demonstrate knowledge of HSE structures and processes

Demonstrate an understanding of Quality Improvement Methodology and
ideally have undertaken formal training in quality improvement and /or used
quality improvement methodologies.

Excellent report writing skills

Ability to carry out literature searches into relevant research topics

Excellent MS Office skills to include, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Knowledge and experience of using an email system effectively e.g. Outlook,
Lotus Notes
Managing & Delivering Results (Operational Excellence)
Demonstrate:
 Excellent organisational and time management skills to meet objectives within
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agreed timeframes and achieve quality results.
The ability to work to tight deadlines and operate effectively with multiple
competing priorities
The ability to take personal responsibility to initiate activities and drive
objectives through to a conclusion
Teamwork, Leadership & Building and Maintaining Relations
Demonstrate:
 Ability to lead, direct and influence others, in partnership, with a wide variety of
stakeholders in a complex and changing environment
 A vision in relation to what changes are required to achieve immediate and long
term organisational objectives
 Strong team work skills including the ability to build and maintain relationships
in a multidisciplinary team/ multi-stakeholder environment
 Evidence of being a positive agent of change and performance improvement
 Effective conflict management skills
 A track record of building and maintaining key internal and external
relationships in achieving organisational goals
Critical Analysis & Decision Making
Demonstrate:
 Excellent analytical skills
 The ability to evaluate complex information from a variety of sources and make
effective decisions
 Considers the impact of decisions before taking action
 Anticipates problems, recognises when to involve other parties (at the
appropriate time and level)
 Makes timely decisions and stands by those decisions as required
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
Demonstrate:
 Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to facilitate work with a wide
range of individuals and groups
 A capacity to negotiate and then ensure delivery on stretched objectives
 Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
Commitment to a Quality Service
Demonstrate:
 Evidence of interest and passion in engaging with and delivering on better
outcomes for service users
 A core belief in and passion for the sustainable delivery of high quality user
focused services
Campaign Specific
Selection Process
Ranking/ Short
listing/Interview
A ranking and or short listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information
supplied in your application form. The criteria for short listing are based on the
requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies
and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you
think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being
called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Code of Practice
Those successful at the short listing stage of this process (where applied) will be placed
on an order of merit and will called forward to interview ‘bands’ depending on the
service needs of the organisation.
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of
Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The
Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness
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might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities
placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their
application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review
of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach
of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available
in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for
Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of
Practice, Information for Candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job
description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be
neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
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HEALTH SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Qualitative Evaluation and Research Officer for Quality Improvement
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Grade VIII
Tenure
The current vacancy is whole time and permanent.
The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and
specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure
of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the
Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and
Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the post is: €64,812 - €74,551 (7 point scale as at
01/11/2013)
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is:37 hours
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs
(Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation
of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all
new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16 th 2008 will
be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their
line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours
of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day
services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement
(Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post will be in line with HSE annual leave
entitlements and will be outlined at job offer stage.
Superannuation
This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will
upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme.
Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of
employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to
the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act
2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme
which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st
December 2004
Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the
Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary
period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Probation
Ethics in Public
Office 1995 and 2001
Positions
remunerated at or
above the minimum
point of the Grade
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary
scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated positions under Section 18 of
the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated
position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts
1995 and 2001 as outlined below;
A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a
person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual
statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of
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VIII salary (€ 64,812
as at 01.01.10)
the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be
submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31 st January in the
following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is
required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE
and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a
matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts
of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to
the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed
unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those
compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief
Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office
Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice
published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines
for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public
Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s
website http://www.sipo.gov.ie/
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