Job Description

British Society for Rheumatology (BSR)

The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) is a UK-wide membership organisation for health professionals in rheumatology. The BSR works to promote excellence in the care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders and to support those delivering it at every step. The BSR works to ensure that physicians and clinicians are educated and trained to provide high quality care. Our members represent the entire profession - from those at the beginning of their career to the most senior consultants, researchers, academics and health professionals in the multi-disciplinary team. Together, they form a powerful voice for paediatric, adolescent and adult rheumatology in the UK.

Main purpose of the job

The postholder will lead the development and management of a new quality review scheme for rheumatology services. The scheme is a quality improvement process aimed at raising standards across rheumatology services throughout the UK, ultimately improving patient service and experience. The performance of services will be assessed against BSR-reviewed standards, linked to nationally recognised guidelines such as NICE guidelines, through a combination of self-assessment and external peer assessment. This will provide a number of benefits to patients, clinicians, service managers, commissioners and regulators by:

• encouraging continuous quality improvement in processes and patient outcomes
• reducing risk and increasing patient confidence in services
• improving the management and efficiency of services
• accelerating adoption of innovation and transformation
• improving workforce development and education
• raising the profile of the specialty

To enable us to do this work, the BSR will be seeking accreditation as an inspection body with the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS).The postholder will also manage this process.

Key relationships

• President and trustees of the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR)
• Project working group for quality review scheme
• BSR Chief Executive
• BSR Director of Clinical Affairs
• BSR Director of Operations
• Other BSR staff
• Service assessors
• UKAS staff
• Other health-related organisations

Key duties of the post-holder

• To manage a working group to develop the framework and standards for the quality review of rheumatology services
• To co-develop, pilot and launch a working scheme for quality review
• To oversee the running of the scheme, including arranging assessment visits, co-ordinating report writing and disseminating results
• To arrange the recruitment and training of assessors
• To work with the BSR operations team to attain UKAS inspection body status for BSR

Specific duties

Project Management

• To manage a project working group to deliver an effective and sustainable scheme for the quality review of rheumatology services
• To work with group members to develop robust criteria by which rheumatology departments will be assessed
• To work with the BSR operations team ensure that BSR gains and maintain UKAS inspection body status
• To pilot the proposed scheme and gather learning to inform its roll-out
• To co-ordinate assessment visits post-launch and establish a robust system to capture and disseminate results
• To co-ordinate recruitment and training of assessors undertaking site visits
• To develop and maintain appropriate financial and governance processes and documentation for the project

Communications

• To develop initiatives to encourage participation in the scheme
• To collaborate with marketing colleagues to ensure that the scheme is promoted effectively, with outputs disseminated through appropriate channels
• To be the main point of contact for queries about quality review from members

Resource Management

• To monitor plans and budgets effectively throughout the year to ensure that expenditure is within agreed budgets for quality review
• To ensure that the quality review scheme aligns with other key work programmes within BSR

• To contribute to the BSR’s strategic and annual planning processes and ensure that key issues are brought to the attention of the senior management team

Other duties

• To adhere to the Nolan Standards and Code of Conduct and Accountability
• To carry out other duties as may be required by the Director of Clinical Affairs, CEO, President and BSR Board of Trustees
• The above list is not exhaustive and the post holder may be expected to undertake other duties, including deputising for the Director of Clinical Affairs. 

BSR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Pension
• Health Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Society sick pay scheme
• Income protection plan
• Buying and Selling Leave
• Cycle scheme UK
• Flexible working opportunities

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge Training, experience & qualifications

Essential

• Recognised project management qualification or substantial experience gained in a project management role
• Substantial experience of managing complex projects and budgets
• Demonstrable experience of developing a project from an early stage of the planning process
• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing robust administrative processes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholder audiences
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience of working with committee structures and developing working relationships with senior officeholders
• Ability to work independently and use initiative, but also to know when to seek advice
• Capacity to perform complex tasks under pressure and manage competing deadlines

Desirable

• Experience of working for a membership organisation
• Experience of working in the health sector
• Understanding of the NHS
• Experience of developing a scheme to assess service performance

Applications:

Send a 2-page CV and 1-page covering letter to us

Closing date for applications: 25 April 2019

Interviews will be held on: 9 & 10 May 2019

We endeavour to respond to all applicants within 7 days of the closing date, but due to volumes received this isn't always possible. If you're not contacted within 7 days of the closing date your application on this occasion has not been successful.