Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) South London Business Intelligence team as an Information Officer. CRN South London is hosted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
CRN South London is a highly successful local Clinical Research Network (LCRN), with a rich and vibrant research community. It works across all health sectors within the south London region, including 12 NHS Trusts plus Primary Care and Social Care organisations.
The Business Intelligence team has been integral to the CRN SL success as an organisation, providing powerful Business Intelligence tools and managing the implementation and oversight of our Local Portfolio Management System, EDGE. The Information Officer will play a key role in supporting these functions and teams across all organisations that CRN SL work with and support.
Main duties of the job
The Information Officer will work to ensure the provision of a timely, effective and robust information management function across South London CRN, ensuring that the information needs of NIHR-funded portfolio studies are met. This will include the high-quality collection, analysis and reporting of key South London CRN information, including LCRN activity and performance data. This will include specific responsibilities, including working with clinical delivery teams within the LCRN core team and member organisations, the preparation of regular reports, together with ad hoc requests or project-based analysis, often at short notice.
The post-holder will use systems to input, store, analyse and disseminate information used by the LCRN, and support the use of the systems and information throughout the network, which covers member organisations across South London. This includes providing training to users across the network and supporting a helpdesk function as a first point of contact for users. The role also involves the management of local databases, provision of local user support and data quality assurance.
The post-holder will need to be willing to acquire and develop specific knowledge of NIHR-funded portfolio study data requirements and act as an expert on data and information management.
About us
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is the nation's largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR:
- Funds, supports and delivers high quality research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care
- Engages and involves patients, carers and the public in order to improve the reach, quality and impact of research
- Attracts, trains and supports the best researchers to tackle the complex health and care challenges of the future
- Invests in world-class infrastructure and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services
- Partners with other public funders, charities and industry to maximise the value of research to patients and the economy
The NIHR was established in 2006 to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. In addition to its national role, the NIHR supports applied health research for the direct and primary benefit of people in low- and middle-income countries, using UK aid from the UK government.
The NIHR Clinical Research Network is led by a national Coordinating Centre and operates through 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs). These local Networks drive research delivery performance across the locality, and champion the role of research in healthcare at every level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Local database and reporting tools
- Maintain local databases and information systems as required, including local contacts, recruitment performance databases, and information systems to support LCRN information sharing, financial management and performance management
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of local information systems and tools, and delivery of user training
Analysis and reporting
- Assist with the analysis and reporting of LCRN key information to support the operational management and strategic development of the LCRN and its constituent clinical delivery divisions. This will include taking personal responsibility for specific regular and ad hoc analytical and reporting tasks
- Provide regular status and progress reports to the Clinical Director, COO, Executive Group and LCRN Partnership Board on the LCRN portfolio performance and other key information. Provide ad hoc reports to the Clinical Directors, COO, Research Delivery Managers, LCRN delivery and administrative staff and LCRN Member Organisation R&D Managers, delivering relevant information in the most effective way.
- Support the provision of reports to local Member Organisations
- Select the appropriate methods of presentation of these reports for the audience and the information being presented, including use of Google Tools (i.e. Docs, Sheets and Slides) and Microsoft Office, as well specific data systems
- Advise senior members of LCRN staff on the interpretation of data, providing explanation and clarification as required. This will include providing insight and interpretation in written form for Board-level discussion
- Contribute to the production of the LCRN Annual report to NIHR Co-ordinating Centre
Information quality assurance
- Work with colleagues across the LCRN to ensure that that all NIHR-funded portfolio studies put systems in place to enable the accurate and timely collection of required data to enable efficient local and national reporting.
- Generally ensure that LCRN information is managed and processed to the highest operation standards, standards of Information Governance and Data Protection, in compliance with the policies of the LCRN NHS member organisation
- Support the implementation and management of LCRN-wide procedures to ensure that LCRN key information is collected reliably and efficiently, to ensure that information or datasets are complete, accurate and up-to-date. This will include the investigation, analysis and resolution of data queries and problems with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Establish and maintain effective communications with a range of clinical delivery and information/IT staff within member organisations across South London
User and staff support
- Provide support to all users of LCRN information systems to ensure that all staff use these systems fully and most effectively. This may involve developing and delivering bespoke training on a one-to-one or group basis.
- Act as a point of advice for the development of other LCRN information-related systems and processes, e.g. study-level document storage and management.
- Provide a helpdesk function to users across the LCRN with respect to LCRN information-related systems and processes and ensure that the service is timely, responsive and meets user needs
- Provide any relevant assistance or support to members of the Communications Team and any other LCRN staff in the use of information-related systems and analysis of data, including the LCRN web pages, as appropriate
Job description
Job responsibilities
Local database and reporting tools
- Maintain local databases and information systems as required, including local contacts, recruitment performance databases, and information systems to support LCRN information sharing, financial management and performance management
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of local information systems and tools, and delivery of user training
Analysis and reporting
- Assist with the analysis and reporting of LCRN key information to support the operational management and strategic development of the LCRN and its constituent clinical delivery divisions. This will include taking personal responsibility for specific regular and ad hoc analytical and reporting tasks
- Provide regular status and progress reports to the Clinical Director, COO, Executive Group and LCRN Partnership Board on the LCRN portfolio performance and other key information. Provide ad hoc reports to the Clinical Directors, COO, Research Delivery Managers, LCRN delivery and administrative staff and LCRN Member Organisation R&D Managers, delivering relevant information in the most effective way.
- Support the provision of reports to local Member Organisations
- Select the appropriate methods of presentation of these reports for the audience and the information being presented, including use of Google Tools (i.e. Docs, Sheets and Slides) and Microsoft Office, as well specific data systems
- Advise senior members of LCRN staff on the interpretation of data, providing explanation and clarification as required. This will include providing insight and interpretation in written form for Board-level discussion
- Contribute to the production of the LCRN Annual report to NIHR Co-ordinating Centre
Information quality assurance
- Work with colleagues across the LCRN to ensure that that all NIHR-funded portfolio studies put systems in place to enable the accurate and timely collection of required data to enable efficient local and national reporting.
- Generally ensure that LCRN information is managed and processed to the highest operation standards, standards of Information Governance and Data Protection, in compliance with the policies of the LCRN NHS member organisation
- Support the implementation and management of LCRN-wide procedures to ensure that LCRN key information is collected reliably and efficiently, to ensure that information or datasets are complete, accurate and up-to-date. This will include the investigation, analysis and resolution of data queries and problems with a range of clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Establish and maintain effective communications with a range of clinical delivery and information/IT staff within member organisations across South London
User and staff support
- Provide support to all users of LCRN information systems to ensure that all staff use these systems fully and most effectively. This may involve developing and delivering bespoke training on a one-to-one or group basis.
- Act as a point of advice for the development of other LCRN information-related systems and processes, e.g. study-level document storage and management.
- Provide a helpdesk function to users across the LCRN with respect to LCRN information-related systems and processes and ensure that the service is timely, responsive and meets user needs
- Provide any relevant assistance or support to members of the Communications Team and any other LCRN staff in the use of information-related systems and analysis of data, including the LCRN web pages, as appropriate
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Education
Essential
- A relevant degree (e.g. in data management, computer science or a related field) or equivalent experience of information handling and analysis gained in a work environment
Desirable
- equivalent relevant post-graduate qualification
Previous experience
Essential
- Ability to prioritise competing demands, and to balance project development requirements with day-to-day operational needs
- Ability to manage own time and ensure deadlines are met
Desirable
- Ability to work under pressure to achieve targets
Skills/Knowledge/ Ability
Essential
- Excellent PC User skills
- Excellent working knowledge of Google Tools (including Docs, Sheets and Slides) and Microsoft Office Excel (charting, worksheet formulas, pivot tables, conditional formatting)
- Knowledge of Visual Basic for Application (VBA) programming language
- Ability to compile, interrogate and analyse data to produce meaningful and accessible management reports for a range of audiences
Desirable
- Knowledge of relational databases (e.g. Access, MySQL, MS SQL server).
- Knowledge of the data requirements of NIHR-funded studies
Additional Information
Essential
- Ability to explain complex, technical issues to non-technical staff both orally and in writing
- Proven written and verbal communication skills with different staff groups
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Education
Essential
- A relevant degree (e.g. in data management, computer science or a related field) or equivalent experience of information handling and analysis gained in a work environment
Desirable
- equivalent relevant post-graduate qualification
Previous experience
Essential
- Ability to prioritise competing demands, and to balance project development requirements with day-to-day operational needs
- Ability to manage own time and ensure deadlines are met
Desirable
- Ability to work under pressure to achieve targets
Skills/Knowledge/ Ability
Essential
- Excellent PC User skills
- Excellent working knowledge of Google Tools (including Docs, Sheets and Slides) and Microsoft Office Excel (charting, worksheet formulas, pivot tables, conditional formatting)
- Knowledge of Visual Basic for Application (VBA) programming language
- Ability to compile, interrogate and analyse data to produce meaningful and accessible management reports for a range of audiences
Desirable
- Knowledge of relational databases (e.g. Access, MySQL, MS SQL server).
- Knowledge of the data requirements of NIHR-funded studies
Additional Information
Essential
- Ability to explain complex, technical issues to non-technical staff both orally and in writing
- Proven written and verbal communication skills with different staff groups
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and reports to a high standard
Desirable
- Experience of delivering training
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
