37.5 (core office hours are 9:00am 5:30pm Monday to Friday)

Transcription

1 Job description Job title: Reporting to: Senior Data Analyst Assistant Director of Data Analytics Salary: L17 ( 53,263-55,423) Hours per week: 37.5 (core office hours are 9:00am 5:30pm Monday to Friday) The Health Foundation The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK. Our aim is a healthier population, supported by high quality health care that can be equitably accessed. We learn what works to make people s lives healthier and improve the health care system. From giving grants to those working at the front line to carrying out research and policy analysis, we shine a light on how to make successful change happen. The Foundation s objectives include a focus on health policy and population health as well as health care service improvement. We have established new expertise in national system reform, the financing of health care and innovative data analytics. Opportunities in the Data Analytics Team The data analytics team conducts high-quality, in-house research and analysis, and collaborates with the NHS to develop approaches to improve health care that can be applied at local and national levels. The overall team is formed by around twenty people, many of whom have joined us from the NHS for joint projects. The research group led by the Assistant Director of Data Analytics has programmes of work to understand the quality of health care in both primary and secondary care settings, using novel data analytic methods applied to large databases. This group has 1

2 begun to publish work in respected peer-reviewed journals, and is looking to expand by bringing on a new Senior Data Analyst. For example, recent work has provided insights into the links between continuity of care in general practice and hospital admissions, by applying regression modelling to linked primary and secondary care records for over 230,000 patients 1. We ve also evaluated the effects of introducing named, accountable GPs using regression discontinuity modelling, 2 and examined links between patient reported outcomes and hospital readmissions. 3 Future work will aim to understand the roles that patient engagement and social support play in achieving patient and health system outcomes. Our work is organised across three themes: 1. Insights into pressing issues facing the NHS 2. Understanding quality of care within clinical pathways through innovative data linkages 3. Understanding the impact of social context on demand for the NHS and the quality of care delivered We often work collectively, developing projects in response to shifting priorities in health care. In addition to shaping and delivering our own projects, the team contributes to the development of grant-funded programmes that are delivered by NHS teams and academia, meaning there are opportunities to achieve greater impact from the insights generated from our work. Other groups within the data analytics team are leading work to build analytical capability within the NHS, 4 develop a joint unit NHS England to provide rapid feedback about the effects of new models of care delivered under the Five Year Forward View, 5 influence Some initial thoughts published here:

3 national policy on health care quality, 6 and develop robust approaches to data management and information governance. 7 The data analytics team provides an opportunity for motivated and talented individuals to be creative about the use of health care data and applied statistical methods, while working at the intersection of health care improvement, policy, and methodology. The Health Foundation's endowment provides valuable independence and space to be thoughtful about methodological approaches and apply innovative thinking about administrative datasets, often in high-risk projects that might not otherwise be funded. We provide a supportive environment for your research with an in-house secure data environment, and dedicated support in data management and information governance. With colleagues who have expertise in statistics, epidemiology, health economics, health policy, and quality improvement, you will work as part of a multi-disciplinary, stimulating and collaborative team. Moreover, our relationship with the NHS means that we can apply analytics directly to real-world problems. By working with colleagues across the Health Foundation, you can ensure your research is relevant and accessible, both to policy makers and to people working on the front line. Senior Data Analyst Role The Senior Data Analyst will work with the Assistant Director of Data Analytics to develop an ambitious programme of work using data to improve the quality of health care. We expect the initial focus to be on developing our first theme of work Insights into pressing issues facing the NHS. This theme of work aims to tackle topical issues, which are identified by working with front-line teams funded by the Health Foundation, policymakers, and colleagues from across the Foundation. Issues might include the mounting pressures on NHS teams or problems with delivering person-centred health care. We then produce rigorous research studies regarding the nature of the issues and their implications for the quality of care delivered, before communicating the insights gathered through a mixture of peer-reviewed publications, Health Foundation publications, social media and meetings with stakeholders. Although we expect the DH%20consultation_data%20security_FINAL.pdf 3

4 successful candidate to focus their initial work on this theme, in practice all members of the team are expected to work in a flexible way across themes, as required. Working with the Director and Assistant Director of Data Analytics, the Senior Data Analyst will design and deliver projects at the Health Foundation; liaise with stakeholders including senior health care professionals and policy makers; and deliver reports and peer reviewed publications to a high standard. Working with the Assistant Director of Data Analytics they will identify opportunities for collaboration within the data analytics team, and across the Health Foundation. Working with other Senior Analysts they will be required to coordinate their work and that of other members of the team to deliver projects making best use of in-house expertise, managing projects and people where appropriate. They will also be required to input on existing projects as needed, working with data analytics colleagues and providing advice on methodology, and commission work from external partners as required. The post will require experience with advanced statistical methods and expertise in ideally SAS and R, with a willingness to work with existing code. The team mainly conducts data analysis in SAS, although R, Stata and Python are also available on the secure environment and can be used when appropriate. Proficiency in at least one of these programming languages to a high standard is required, with an ability to pick up SAS quickly. In addition to the programme of work within the data analytics team they will work with colleagues across the Health Foundation to deliver joint projects and provide insight and expertise when required. Key tasks and responsibilities 1. Work with the Assistant Director and Director of Data Analytics to identify new projects that address pressing issues in the NHS and ensure these fit with the overall research portfolio of the team and the Health Foundation s broader strategy. 2. Scope out projects, seeking input from a range of internal and external stakeholders, reviewing the relevant literature, identifying suitable data sources, and writing protocols and other preparatory material. 3. Manage projects and relationships with internal and external research partners (including healthcare teams), ensuring that deadlines are met. 4

5 4. Commission work from external partners, including preparing invitations for tender and managing the selection process. 5. Work with team members on identifying, extracting and cleaning pseudonymised data sets, as needed. 6. Conduct analysis to the highest methodological standard. 7. Refine or develop expertise in specific methodological areas. 8. Coordinate their work and that of team members to manage and deliver projects, making best use of in-house expertise. 9. Provide advice to other team members about how methods can be applied, and support the development of other team members. 10. Prepare research reports and articles to a high standard and lead submission to peer review journals. 11. Represent the Health Foundation at external events, and communicate research findings in a way that contributes towards the broader communications and influencing aims of the team. 12. Communicate research findings to a wide range of audiences, including policy makers, researchers, and healthcare professionals, through presentations, meetings, and short briefings, as appropriate. 13. Engage with other teams of the Health Foundation and contribute towards wider corporate activities. 14. Domestic and international travel as needed. 5

6 Person specification Knowledge and experience 1. A track record of developing programmes of analytical work in health care services or health policy using advanced methods. 2. A track record of publishing high-quality health services, policy or clinical research in respected, peer-reviewed journals. 3. Experience of working with health or social care organisations in the UK or internationally. 4. Significant experience of working with major datasets in health and ideally social care. 5. Experience in health policy and the operation of health services, with in-depth knowledge of some areas that are relevant to the quality of health care. 6. Familiarity with analytical methods that could be applied to a number of our focus areas (e.g. understanding quality, evaluating improvement etc.). 7. Ideally, a track record in conducting methodological research, for example in health service research, causal inference, epidemiology, or machine learning. 8. An understanding of the information governance requirements that exist in the UK, and a proven commitment to high standards in data security. 9. Links to sources of relevant expertise in the UK or internationally. 10. Relevant post-graduate degree in a quantitative subject (a PhD being desirable). Skills and abilities 1. Ability to identify, evaluate and develop novel projects within an existing strategy. 2. Excellent analytical skills including the ability to identify and adopt promising new methods. 3. Wide ranging knowledge of and confidence with advanced statistical methods. 4. Ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of audiences, to time restrictive deadlines. 5. The ability to communicate to a wide variety of audiences in a clear and concise manner. 6. Proficient in statistical software (SAS and/or R) and coding to an advanced level. 6

7 7. Corporate approach with a willingness to contribute to further the objectives of The Health Foundation. 8. A person who is collegiate with proven ability to work across teams successfully. 9. A person who is flexible, respectful of colleagues, and adaptable. 10. A person who is open, communicative, and approachable to all staff across the organisation irrespective of role or seniority. 7