Quality Investigations Officer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Investigations

Undertake investigations that are required under PSIRF and adverse incidents that require a higher level of investigation within the Trust.

To undertake, under the supervision of the Quality Leads or Assistant Quality Leads, Patient Safety Incident Investigations (PSIIs) or facilitate After Action Reviews (AARs), Patient Experience and Coroners investigations in accordance with Trust policy, best practice and national guidance.

Produce high quality investigation reports and present findings to the PSII review meetings including the following key tasks:

o Reviewing records.

o Producing a chronology of events.

o Interviewing staff (where required) to support the investigation process.

o Interviewing patients/families (where considered appropriate) to support the investigation process.

o Liaising with other healthcare professionals, organisations and external bodies.

o Analysing data.

o Producing an investigation report.

o Identifying learning.

o Presenting findings to PSII Review meetings.

o Feeding back findings to the Trust, staff, patients and their carers/families.

Support the Trusts Quality Leads in undertaking investigations and review of incidents in relation to Inquests from the HM Coroner and investigations into clinical negligence claims. This will require the production of high quality reports that are to be provided and presented to Coroners court, Trust solicitors and other interested parties.

Attend inquests, as appropriate, to present investigation findings.

• Produce and maintain accurate and up to date investigation files ensuring accurate records of Duty of Candour compliance are maintained, in accordance with the Trusts Information Governance arrangements.
• Work within Trust policies to meet required standards and deadlines, relating to PSIRF investigations, and Coroners requests in accordance with national or legislative requirements. Maintain accurate records to provide assurance that national and local timescales are adhered to.

Contribute to investigations undertaken by external organisations, ensuring they accurately reflect the Trusts involvement. This will include liaising with external organisations and attending multi-agency meetings.

With the support of the Quality Leads, identify key areas of learning for the organisation following investigation.

Communication

Support and actively contribute to the promotion of a culture of continuous quality improvement within all facets of the Trust to ensure best practice in the delivery of patient care.

Implementation of Duty of Candour in the absence of the Family Liaison Officer (FLO), and provide resilience for this role.

Keep all relevant parties informed of progress during an investigation including Quality Leads and, in the absence of the FLO, patients and their families.

Deal with telephone and email enquiries relating to investigations in accordance with Trust procedures, ensuring an accurate log is maintained of all communications.

• Deal with telephone and email enquiries relating to investigations in accordance with Trust procedures, ensuring an accurate log is maintained of all communications.
• As part of the investigation process provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information ensuring that Information Governance policies are adhered to.

Provide feedback to the Quality Leads and Patient Safety Manager on the key areas of learning identified during investigation through the development, agreement and timely delivery of action plans.

Provide feedback to those involved in investigations, under Duty of Candour regulations, including initial contact, regular updates and feedback following investigation of incidents. This will include patients, next of kin, staff and other organisations.

Training and Guidance

Provide support and guidance to Managers, Operations Officers and others in managing Adverse Incidents submitted by staff and help ensure that each incident is investigated and closed according to Trust policy.

Actively participate and contribute to the effective running of the Patient Safety team, and assist with the development and education of others to increase awareness of the Quality Patient Care Directorate and role throughout the Trust.

General Team Responsibilities

Contribute to the efficient running of the Patient Safety functions and provide assistance as required within the Quality Patient Care directorate.

Support the Quality Lead with any other reasonable request in support of the Patient Safety teams role and objectives.

Provide resilience for other roles within the Quality Patient Care Directorate.

Deputise for the Assistant Quality Lead, as required.

Personal Development

Take a part in activities that lead to personal growth and/or team growth.

Attend appraisal sessions with direct line manager.

Take a lead in identifying own development needs.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSE's (Grade A-C including Maths & English).

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent experience.

Previous experience (paid/ unpaid relevant to job)

Essential

• Significant administration experience
• Experience of conducting Investigations, including those which are complex
• Microsoft Office experience
• Significant experience of writing high quality, comprehensive reports
• Experience of communicating directly with patients and bereaved families.

Desirable

• Experience of working in within a healthcare setting
• Trained in a systems based approach to investigations. Using SEIPS (System Engineering Initiative for Patients Safety) methodology
• Experience of working in a customer care environment.
• Experience of communicating with vulnerable people.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Trust HQ

EXETER

EX2 7HY

Employer's website

https://www.swast.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)