Download 1. job identification - NHS Scotland Recruitment

1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Lead Cancer Clinician – South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN)
Responsible to: Chair of Regional Cancer Advisory Group (Rotational post among the South East
Scotland Health Board Chief Executives) or nominated deputy.
Department(s): South East Scotland Cancer Network, hosted by Lothian NHS Board on behalf of the
South East Scotland NHS Boards
Directorate: Strategic Planning
Job Reference:
Last Update: May 2011
2. JOB PURPOSE
To provide strategic clinical leadership for:

The delivery across South East Scotland of the fundamental patient-centred clinical changes
required by the national cancer plan.

The development and delivery of a regional programme of work in conjunction with the
Network Manager and the Regional Cancer Advisory Group (RCAG).

Promoting and driving change through the cancer tumour-specific groups (TSGs) in order to
deliver the agreed standards of care through regional planning, service improvement and
investment.

The development and successful delivery of national strategies and programmes of work,
ensuring that these consider and take account of the needs of patients and the health service.
3. DIMENSIONS
The South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) is a dynamic, virtual organisation that continues to
evolve and develop. The Network serves a population of 1.3m (25% of the Scottish population) of which
1 in 3 will get cancer and 1 in 4 will die from cancer. SCAN spans Borders, Lothian, Fife and Dumfries &
Galloway, with some people travelling from other parts of Scotland to receive specialist treatment and
care. SCAN involves all people and organisations, statutory and voluntary, with an interest or role in the
planning, development and delivery of cancer services within the South East of Scotland. This includes:





Patients, carers, and their families
All staff involved in cancer care
NHS organisations – unified NHS systems and Community Health Partnerships
National bodies including the Scottish Government Health Directorates (SGHD) and the Scottish
Parliament, plus key organisations such as Healthcare Improvement Scotland (NHS HIS), NHS
Education for Scotland (NES), the Information and Statistics Division (ISD), Scottish
Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), Royal Colleges, professional groups and many others
Partner organisations e.g. Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, local support
groups, Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care and local authorities
1
March 2011
Function
The main function of SCAN is to improve the quality of care, outcomes and experience for patients and
their families across the South East of Scotland.
Structure
The organisational structure and environment in which SCAN operates is complex.
The RCAG Executive provides high-level strategic guidance to constituent NHS Boards and the Regional
Cancer Planning Group; progresses work on priority issues identified; ensures a coherent and equitable
approach is taken to the development of cancer services across the South East of Scotland, taking
account of local, regional and national priorities; agrees and reviews annual work programmes with
tumour specific groups and specialty networks/services; reviews network audit data and reports to Chief
Executives; and ensures adequate two-way communication and accountability between tumour specific
groups, RCAG, NHS Boards and the Regional Cancer Planning Group.
Membership includes: Designated Chair (Rotates among SCAN Health Board Chief Executives); Lead
Cancer Clinician for the South East of Scotland; senior management/planning and clinical
representatives from each of the 4 East of Scotland NHS Board areas and the Regional Cancer Centre;
Tumour Specific Group Chairs; Chairs of RCAG sub groups; patient; and voluntary sector
representatives
The delivery of clinical care throughout the South East of Scotland is driven by region-wide tumour
specific groups (detailed below). Each tumour-specific group is responsible to the RCAG/RCPG for their
activities and has been developed in line with national guidance.




Breast
Colorectal
Lung
Skin





Urology
Head & Neck
Haematology
Upper Gastrointestinal
Gynaecological Oncology
Tumour-specific groups are complemented by a number of formalised regional specialty networks that
span tumour types, for example:








Primary Care
Pharmacy
Audit
Cancer Research Network
Palliative Care
Clinical Psychology
Nursing
Cancer Information Network/Patient Involvement
Projects identified by the RCAG are progressed via sub-groups and short-life working groups, for
example:



Review of Non Surgical Oncology Services across the South East of Scotland
Implementation of Electronic Prescribing of Chemotherapy across the South East Scotland
Review of Audit Services across the South East of Scotland
2
March 2011
4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
SCAN is one of three regional cancer networks in Scotland. It reports to the Scottish Cancer Taskforce
and the Scottish Government Health Directorates (SGHD).
See separate organisational chart (Appendix 1)
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
According to the governance arrangements for cancer managed clinical networks, SCAN is required to:

Operate within the context of Scottish Government guidance on managed clinical networks (NHS
MEL (1999) 10 and NHS HDL (2002) 69)

Demonstrate compliance with NHS HDL (2001) 71, “Regional Cancer Advisory Groups” (RCAGs)

Ensure appropriate links with generic regional planning structures as per NHS HDL (2002) 10
accepting that regional cancer networks are increasingly being recognised as the vehicles for
planning of and investment in cancer services.
SCAN brings together cancer professionals and organisations from primary, secondary and tertiary care
to work in a co-ordinated manner, transcending geographical, organisational and professional
boundaries. The Network exists to ensure equitable provision of high quality, clinically effective cancer
services throughout the region across diagnosis, treatment, information provision, palliation and
bereavement such that cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality are decreased, whilst patient
empowerment, knowledge and quality of life are increased. This involves creating and influencing
national and local agendas and ensuring they are followed locally.
The Regional Cancer Network is responsible for driving and enabling the improvement of cancer
services through development of regional tumour-specific groups to ensure that national and local
standards are met, that clinical practice is developed consistently and that cancer services, including
sustainable tertiary services, are delivered by means of agreed protocols.
In addition, through collaborative working with the Regional Cancer Planning Group, the tumour-specific
groups aim to ensure that:

a more systematic approach to the development and planning of cancer services is developed for
those aspects of the service that are more appropriately provided at a regional level.

specialist cancer services, which require a population in excess of the average Board population
(c400, 000) to ensure clinical sustainability, are planned and delivered appropriately.

the highest possible standard of cancer care, which can be provided within available resources, is
available to all residents in the East of Scotland.

the particular geographic challenges to the delivery of safe and effective cancer care within the
region are addressed.
3
March 2011
6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

To provide clinical leadership to the SCAN Regional Cancer Advisory Group (RCAG) and Regional
Cancer Planning Group (RCPG)

To provide clinical leadership when working with SCAN tumour-specific groups, NHS Boards,
Operating Divisions and other service providers (voluntary & statutory) to facilitate and drive forward
service improvement, ensuring robust clinical governance arrangements are in place.

In conjunction with the Network Manager, to lead the ongoing development of tumour-specific groups
and support the development of national MCNs

To support performance of the Chairs of the tumour-specific groups through a coaching relationship,
particularly in delivery of strategic goals and the organisational change agenda

Provide clinical leadership for development of critical infrastructure such as e-health and audit, to
ensure robust clinical audit processes are in place, including data collection, analysis and reporting
within an agreed national governance framework.

To provide clinical leadership, facilitation and support for development and implementation of new
regional models of care

In conjunction with the Network Manager, to ensure that a regional approach is taken to planning
cancer services in the South East of Scotland and that tumour-specific group activity is fully
integrated into both local and regional cancer planning

To contribute actively to the Scottish Cancer Taskforce and other relevant local, regional, national
and international groups.

To contribute actively to the communication and reporting strategies of SCAN.
7. KEY RESULT AREAS

Better outcomes in cancer care, as demonstrated by improvements in audit results and other data
sources

Improved communication across and between key groups and organisations.

Clinical and patient/carer input are integral to local and regional planning processes.

Open and transparent decision-making processes.
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
The post holder will work with a high degree of autonomy and assignment of work will be self-directed,
working within agreed objectives. Review will be carried out by RCAG Chair or nominated deputy.
9. SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Commitment to patient focus and quality

Proven ability to manage change within a complex environment.

Flexibility, enthusiasm for working in an open and transparent manner.

Excellent influencing and negotiating skills.

Experience of working with senior management in affecting the development of strategy.
4
March 2011

Extensive experience in the improvement, provision and planning of cancer services.

Experience in audit, research and training.
10. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Department Signature:
Date:
5
March 2011
NHS LOTHIAN
South East Scotland Cancer Network (SCAN) Lead Clinician
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications &
Training


Level of education,
professional
qualifications, training
and learning
programmes/courses

Experience

Length and type of
experience, level at
which experience
gained







Knowledge

Depth and extent of
knowledge


Desirable
Medical graduate.
Higher medical professional
qualification
Post graduation medical
qualifications
Evidence of continued
professional development
Assessment
Additional post graduate
qualifications
 e.g. MD, PhD, etc
CV / application
form
Substantial clinical experience
at consultant level
At least five years’ experience
at senior clinical manager level
in a relevant healthcare
organisation
Strong reputation as a clinician
and clinical leader, with a
proven track record of
producing high quality results in
the management and
leadership of clinical services
Experience in building
organisational capabilities,
including establishing a clear
strategic vision and director and
translation into successful
outcomes
Experience commissioning and
managing large scale, complex
projects across traditional
Health Board Boundaries
Experience of managing clinical
governance
Evidence of continuing
professional and
managerial development

Experience of leading complex
organisation change
Previous managerial training
and experience
Interview, CV /
application
form
In-depth understanding of the
complexity in providing primary,
secondary and tertiary
healthcare.
In depth knowledge of the UK
health care sector, cancer
strategies and service provision
Understand economic
constraints and requirements of
financial planning and business

Knowledge of national and
international cancer research
and clinical management
guidelines
CV / application
form
6
March 2011

Assessment
process

Skills/Abilities
Range and level of
skills, i.e.
communication (oral,
written, presentation),
planning/ organisation,
numeracy, leadership
etc







Personal Attributes






governance processes.
Broad understanding and
knowledge of working at
executive team level
Experience and able to
demonstrate successful team
leadership/motivation of others.
Demonstrate innovative
thinking and vision, including an
ability to build organisation
capacity and capability
Ability to think strategically
vision and planning with the
ability to demonstrate
experience of delivery and
achievement of outcomes.
Highly effective interpersonal
skills including tact and
diplomacy
Demonstrate understanding of
complex clinical work streams
across multiple disciplines,
localities, operational and
regional boards
Politically aware of competing
complex agendas and able to
understand the wider
stakeholder views across the
Network
Computer literate
Able to integrate well with
colleagues and staff to promote
team building
Self motivated with vision and
drive to improve services
Demonstrate successful team
leadership and motivation of
others
A commitment to development
of service in a changing
environment
Ability to work across regional,
local and national
organisational boundaries
Understanding and commitment
to Clinical Governance
7
March 2011

Experience in Strategic
planning
CV / application
form
Assessment
process
Assessment
process and
Interview