Clinical Information Assistant

Assist with all aspects of information work within the Clinical Audit & Research Unit. This will include, but is not limited to, tasks relating to the EMAS Clinical Audit & Service Evaluation and Research Programmes, national and local Clinical Performance Indicators (CPIs) and national Ambulance Quality Indicators (ACQIs). Assist in management and analysis of complex datasets using spreadsheets, databases and other software tools.

Prepare data from a range of sources. This may include extracting appropriate data from sources such as spreadsheets, databases, SQL Report Manager, paper or electronic patient report forms, Alert C3 Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD), the NHS Summary Care Record (SCR) and Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP). Carry out checks for data quality and consistency, investigating discrepancies and taking action to resolve.

This may involve reporting issues to line manager, contacting data providers for missing data and running further checks on data accuracy. Validation of clinical information in line with procedures, guidance or precedent. This includes abstracting and analysing patient medical records to determine whether patient care has been delivered in accordance with clinical guidelines (e.g. CPIs, clinical audit). Reformatting and manipulating data appropriately.

Run and disseminate regular activity and performance reports using a wide range of data sources. Ensure information is provided to a cycle of deadlines and timely, high quality reports are presented in line with departmental procedure or precedent. May be required to undertake preparation and submission of statutory and routine reporting as required. This may include submission of data for ACQIs to the Department of Health.

Assist in the monitoring and improvement of patient care by utilising Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Quality Improvement (QI) methodologies as required. Ensure the timely, accurate scanning and processing of paper patient report forms. Respond to requests for both anonymised and patient identifiable information (PII) in a range of formats from internal and external stakeholders (e.g. police, coroners) in line with Caldicott, Data Protection and Information Governance.

Attend mandatory training as required by the organisation and any other training identified as necessary within the team. Attend meetings as required.

Ability to present highly complex information verbally and in writing, adjusting styles to meet the requirements of different audiences. This will include interpreting statistical and analytical results from clinical audit, service evaluation and research in order to explain their meaning to non-statistical/analytical professionals. Maintain effective relationships with various departments, managers and external stakeholders in relation to (for example) ACQIs, MINAP, CPIs and internal clinical audit projects.

Provide clear, accurate information to the Head of Clinical Governance, Audit and Research to ensure decisions are taken based on robust evidence. Communicate highly sensitive PII in line with legislation, policy and procedure.

Experience of data analysis and associated software packages e.g. MS Excel, MS Access. Experience of data manipulation including storage, retrieval and updating. Knowledge of medical terminology. Experience in application of Caldicott Guidelines and Data Protection Legislation. Responsible for ensuring own knowledge is kept up-to-date, attending training and gaining qualifications where appropriate.

Abstract and analyse patient medical records to determine whether patient care has been delivered in accordance with clinical guidelines (e.g. CPIs, ACQIs, clinical audit). Comparing data from different sources and judging the appropriate source for the task in hand (e.g. CAD, paper/electronic patient report forms, MINAP). Able to provide quality, consistency and accuracy during all aspects of data collection, cleansing, analysis and presentation.

Make judgements involving complex facts or situations, many of which require analysis (e.g. clinical audit).

The post holder will be required to work regularly without supervision. Meet strict deadlines for routine reports and submission of performance management figures (e.g. ACQIs, CQIs). Pro-actively manage own workload, prioritising unpredictable and conflicting demands while still meeting statutory deadlines. Dealing with information requests from a wide range of stakeholders, often with short deadlines.

Will be sitting at a computer more or less continuously on most days and will require standard keyboard skills. May be required to lift archive boxes of paper patient report forms. Based in a busy office with frequent interruptions. Occasional travel to meetings or for training purposes may be required.

May advise patients on…