Job Advert
The Role
We have an exciting opportunity for an Head of Improvement to join our team at Kirklands - NHSL Headquarters.
The Head of Improvement will be accountable to the Director of Quality for the effective implementation, delivery and performance of NHS Lanarkshire’s Quality Improvement function. They will have the authority to take decisions required to achieve agreed objectives within the constraints of NHS Lanarkshire, national policy and legislation.
Lead the development of a Quality Improvement Support Team to support complex, major quality improvement initiatives, drawing on leads in quality improvement from across NHS Lanarkshire.
Provide support to the Operational Units to deliver continuous quality improvement by the introduction of quality improvement coaches to provide a one stop, local contact point for front line teams looking for advice on improvement methodology, tools, data management in order to improve the quality of patient care.
To take lead responsibility for the development and implementation of long term organisation-wide strategic plans for Quality Improvement taking into account the overall aims of the organisation. In addition, take lead responsibility for the development of organisation-wide strategic plans for a nominated quality dimension (Safe, Effective or Person-Centred). Achieve this through developing and monitoring an operational framework and organisational programmes of work and plans, supporting the Acute Division and North and South Health & Social Care Partnerships.
Develop and lead the implementation of NHS Lanarkshire’s Quality Strategy to support NHS Lanarkshire to mainstream quality improvement capability and capacity in order to support person centred, safe and effective care.
As a catalyst for change lead on the development of a programme of learning opportunities from other organisations and industries out with health care to bring innovation, learning and improvement into NHS Lanarkshire.
Ensure the effective implementation of the Quality Strategy True North Plans for Patient Safety and the Person Centred Care by providing leadership and expertise in improvement methodology and data management delivering measurable reductions in patient harm and developing a stronger culture of patient safety and person centred care in NHS Lanarkshire.
As part of the Directorate Management Team the postholder will provide direct advice and support to the Executive Medical Director, Executive Nurse Director, Director of Quality and the Corporate Management Team on quality improvement and actively contribute to the delivery of the organisation’s strategic and key corporate objectives.
NHS Lanarkshire
Have you always wanted to work with NHS Lanarkshire? Then this might be the opportunity for you to join Team Lanarkshire!
Here at NHS Lanarkshire, we put the patient at the heart of everything we do. Each colleague within the organisation plays a key role in how we deliver our healthcare services.
We proudly serve a population of 655,000 across rural and urban communities in both North and South Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire is comprised of Acute Services (which currently provide hospital based services over 3 main sites), Corporate & Property & Support Services, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships which provide integrated primary healthcare and social care services to local communities and surrounding areas.
What we'll need you to bring
The post holder will require to:
- Educated to postgraduate / masters degree level or equivalent experience
- A recognised qualification in Improvement Science and/or evidence of working at an expert level in improvement science and its practical application in health and care settings
- Full knowledge and understanding to a teaching level of the component parts of Quality Improvement
- Demonstrable senior managerial experience with recent evidence of effectively implementing organisational changes and evidence of effective resource management.
- Proven track record of staff management, leadership and motivation through cohesive and effective team working including experience of dealing with a team across a number of remote sites.
- The ability to plan, organise, direct and control a diverse range of staff is essential, together with an in depth knowledge of costing, personnel, risk, information and quality systems.
- Extensive knowledge of the NHS in Scotland and its organisations, its policies and its strategic goals.
- Excellent presentation, communication, problem solving and report writing skills.
- Well developed influencing skills and experience of managing change.
- The post holder requires the highest level of expertise in the use, and interrogation, of electronic systems and databases, including but not limited to the use of electronic networking, spreadsheets, internet and range of specialist medical databases.
Please note for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.
Contract type
Permanent
Full time
37 hours
Location and Working Pattern
This role will be based in Quality Directorate within Kirklands - NHSL Headquarters
Whilst this advertisement may be for a specific post(s) in a particular location, applicants who are shortlisted for interview may be considered for similar vacancies in alternative locations.
Looking to find out more?
If you’re looking to find out more, then we would love to hear from you!
Please contact Karon Cormack , Director of Quality on karon.cormack@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
For enquiries regarding the application form or recruitment process, please contact Adnan Saddique, Recruitment Administrator on adnan.saddique@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk (Please remember to include the job title and reference number in your email)
Why NHS Lanarkshire?
Join us and you will discover a supportive environment where you will have the chance to add to your skills and further your career.
Some of NHS Lanarkshire’s benefits include:
A minimum of 27 days annual leave increasing with length of service
A minimum of 8 days of public holidays
Membership of NHS Pension Scheme, with life insurance benefits (for more information on the NHS Pension Scheme visit the Scottish Public Pension)
Paid sick leave increasing with length of service
Occupational health services
Employee counselling services
Work-life Balance policies and procedures
NHS Lanarkshire have a range of support services on topics that can impact both on your working and personal life including occupational health, spiritual care and independent counselling. This support can be accessed using the links on this page.
Further Information
For more information on the role, please refer to the Job Description. If you’re looking for more information on the recruitment process, organisation or the services we provide, please refer to our information pack, or our recruitment webpage.
Additional Information for Applicants
- Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. However, if there are a high level of interest in this position, we may close the advert once sufficient applications are received. Please complete and submit your application early.
- For help to complete an application on Jobtrain please follow this link: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/how-to-apply/application-process/
- Please check your e-mail regularly (including junk & spam folders) as well as your Jobtrain account for updates.
- We recommend using the Internet Browser "Google Chrome" or "Microsoft Edge" when using Jobtrain
- Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make any amendments
NHS Lanarkshire is dedicated to building a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive, develop, and succeed based on their skills, knowledge, and talent—regardless of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or care experience* or any other dimension that can be used to differentiate people from one another.
*Care experienced applicants include those who have lived with foster parents, kinship carers, or in residential/secure children’s settings.
Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
Right to Work within the UK
NHS Lanarkshire has a legal obligation to ensure that it does not employ any worker who has not been granted the relevant permission to work in the UK.
We are required to check the entitlement to work in the UK of all prospective employees, regardless of nationality or job category. UK Visas & Immigration rules are available at www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to check eligibility in advance of applying for vacancies in NHS Lanarkshire.
Please note that all Band 1 and Band 2 posts are not eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route.