Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Utilising specialist knowledge of complex NHS/Trust accounting systems, processes, regulations, financial techniques and relevant legislation; NHS Tariff guidance and Contractual requirements, together with general commercial awareness:

Apply specialist knowledge of complex costing systems to maintain and update the Trusts costing system and generate representative data for national costing returns and internal Service Line Reporting.

Apply specialist knowledge of financial and activity information systems to ensure data is captured in a usable and efficient format to support national costing submissions and internal Service Line Reporting.

To interpret costing guidance and online materials issued by NHSE (including attendance at webinars and training sessions) and update the Trusts costing system as required to generate representative costing data.

To work with other members of the costing team on the production of the quarterly Service Line Reports including the supervision of junior analysts to enable the timely provision of reports to Directors, Clinical Leads and Service Managers to support service delivery.

To work with Financial Performance Team, Service Line and Clinical teams to produce and refine costing information.

Utilise costing information to improve services. Working closely with Finance Business Partners and services lines.

Production of information for monthly commissioning reporting and other internal reporting requirements

Work closely with clinical areas to improve costing information and ensure its appropriate use in decision making.

To constantly review the information and financial systems of the Trust that support the Service Line Reporting, Patient Level Costing and National Cost Collection system to ensure they remain fit for purpose and are as efficient and effective as possible.

Utilising Analysis and Judgement:

To analyse large volumes of complex data from multiple performance information and finance sources in order to maintain, update and improve national costing submissions and Service Line Reporting.

To analyse and interpret complex information from Performance Information, Finance Systems, Department Managers and Finance Business Partners, in order to determine accurate costs for clinical services and procedures, in response to ad hoc queries.

To use sound judgement to identify key elements and drivers of costs at Procedure, Service and Trust levels.

To analyse and interpret costing information to allow meaningful comparison between national cost benchmarking data, Service Line Reporting and Payment by Results tariffs.

To advise Business Advisors, Service Line Management Teams and other Senior Managers on the interpretation of the National Cost Collection, Service Line Reporting and costing benchmarking data.

Utilising professional and specialist finance knowledge and general management skills, for the Finance Directorate to:

Manage all aspects of own workload to balance frequently changing priorities to deliver work within tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest quality of information and meeting the needs of Corporate and Service Line Management Teams. This will include using time management skills to ensure that workload and individual projects are delivered in a timely and accurate manner.

Ensure planning coordination of information from a wide range of sources to ensure costing information is as up to date and accurate as possible.

To take responsibility for projects and manage their progress in terms of achieving key milestones and goals.

Take responsibility for developing and implementing discrete areas of financial policy and processes in line with latest guidance.

To act in a professional manner at all times and instil the same standards in members of staff.

To input and manipulate financial data in highly complex computer spreadsheets and reports, where speed and accuracy are essential.

To deputise for the Head of Finance Systems and Costing as and when necessary.

To undertake light physical effort and extended periods of computer use in an office environment.

To concentrate when inputting data, checking and reconciling information and making calculations.

To cope with unpredictable work patterns and respond flexibly to queries and requests from Senior Finance, Corporate Managers, Service Line and Clinical Managers..

To work under intense pressure on occasions and to concentrate on highly complex accounting information for prolonged periods of time on a frequent basis.

To supply internal and external auditors with any information and explanations they require with regard to any aspects of the above.

To act on own initiative and to carry out the above duties in accordance with broad professional accounting standards and NHS guidance without reference to line manager.

The postholder will be required to travel on occasion.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Face to face and Telephone

Executive Directors

Chief Finance Officer

Director of Operational Finance

Associate Directors of Finance

Care Group Finance Managers

Head of Performance and Management Information

Data Solutions Team

Performance Information Staff

Management Accountants

Finance Business Partners

Care Group Managers and Directors

Service Line Managers and Directors

Heads of Department

Specialty Leads

Specialty Managers

Clinical teams

Other Finance, Planning staff

Procurement and Logistics Managers and staff

Other Service Line staff

Other Trust staff as required

External

Other Providers

ICBs

NHS England

Software Suppliers and external consultants

Other outside agencies including the external auditors, local authorities/social services and various advisors

All Job Holders are required to

Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.

Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.

Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.

Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.

Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.

Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.

Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.

Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.

Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.

Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.

Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

All Managers are responsible for

Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.

Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.

Note

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Utilising specialist knowledge of complex NHS/Trust accounting systems, processes, regulations, financial techniques and relevant legislation; NHS Tariff guidance and Contractual requirements, together with general commercial awareness:

Apply specialist knowledge of complex costing systems to maintain and update the Trusts costing system and generate representative data for national costing returns and internal Service Line Reporting.

Apply specialist knowledge of financial and activity information systems to ensure data is captured in a usable and efficient format to support national costing submissions and internal Service Line Reporting.

To interpret costing guidance and online materials issued by NHSE (including attendance at webinars and training sessions) and update the Trusts costing system as required to generate representative costing data.

To work with other members of the costing team on the production of the quarterly Service Line Reports including the supervision of junior analysts to enable the timely provision of reports to Directors, Clinical Leads and Service Managers to support service delivery.

To work with Financial Performance Team, Service Line and Clinical teams to produce and refine costing information.

Utilise costing information to improve services. Working closely with Finance Business Partners and services lines.

Production of information for monthly commissioning reporting and other internal reporting requirements

Work closely with clinical areas to improve costing information and ensure its appropriate use in decision making.

To constantly review the information and financial systems of the Trust that support the Service Line Reporting, Patient Level Costing and National Cost Collection system to ensure they remain fit for purpose and are as efficient and effective as possible.

Utilising Analysis and Judgement:

To analyse large volumes of complex data from multiple performance information and finance sources in order to maintain, update and improve national costing submissions and Service Line Reporting.

To analyse and interpret complex information from Performance Information, Finance Systems, Department Managers and Finance Business Partners, in order to determine accurate costs for clinical services and procedures, in response to ad hoc queries.

To use sound judgement to identify key elements and drivers of costs at Procedure, Service and Trust levels.

To analyse and interpret costing information to allow meaningful comparison between national cost benchmarking data, Service Line Reporting and Payment by Results tariffs.

To advise Business Advisors, Service Line Management Teams and other Senior Managers on the interpretation of the National Cost Collection, Service Line Reporting and costing benchmarking data.

Utilising professional and specialist finance knowledge and general management skills, for the Finance Directorate to:

Manage all aspects of own workload to balance frequently changing priorities to deliver work within tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest quality of information and meeting the needs of Corporate and Service Line Management Teams. This will include using time management skills to ensure that workload and individual projects are delivered in a timely and accurate manner.

Ensure planning coordination of information from a wide range of sources to ensure costing information is as up to date and accurate as possible.

To take responsibility for projects and manage their progress in terms of achieving key milestones and goals.

Take responsibility for developing and implementing discrete areas of financial policy and processes in line with latest guidance.

To act in a professional manner at all times and instil the same standards in members of staff.

To input and manipulate financial data in highly complex computer spreadsheets and reports, where speed and accuracy are essential.

To deputise for the Head of Finance Systems and Costing as and when necessary.

To undertake light physical effort and extended periods of computer use in an office environment.

To concentrate when inputting data, checking and reconciling information and making calculations.

To cope with unpredictable work patterns and respond flexibly to queries and requests from Senior Finance, Corporate Managers, Service Line and Clinical Managers..

To work under intense pressure on occasions and to concentrate on highly complex accounting information for prolonged periods of time on a frequent basis.

To supply internal and external auditors with any information and explanations they require with regard to any aspects of the above.

To act on own initiative and to carry out the above duties in accordance with broad professional accounting standards and NHS guidance without reference to line manager.

The postholder will be required to travel on occasion.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal Face to face and Telephone

Executive Directors

Chief Finance Officer

Director of Operational Finance

Associate Directors of Finance

Care Group Finance Managers

Head of Performance and Management Information

Data Solutions Team

Performance Information Staff

Management Accountants

Finance Business Partners

Care Group Managers and Directors

Service Line Managers and Directors

Heads of Department

Specialty Leads

Specialty Managers

Clinical teams

Other Finance, Planning staff

Procurement and Logistics Managers and staff

Other Service Line staff

Other Trust staff as required

External

Other Providers

ICBs

NHS England

Software Suppliers and external consultants

Other outside agencies including the external auditors, local authorities/social services and various advisors

All Job Holders are required to

Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.

Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.

Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.

Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.

Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.

Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.

Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.

Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.

Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.

Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.

Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.

All Managers are responsible for

Assessing risks and implementing the necessary actions to minimise these risks within their sphere of responsibility. They must also enable staff to attend the relevant statutory and essential training.

Managing attendance in accordance with the Trusts Attendance Management Policy.

Note

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive and is not intended to be totally comprehensive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust policies, procedures & guidelines.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate highly developed theoretical and practical knowledge at an advanced level and experience and expertise in financial management, accounting procedures, relevant legislation and NHS finance policies.
• Ability to gain engagement from non-finance staff.
• Awareness of the current NHS "Agenda", national directives and all Governance aspects.
• Demonstrable experience of reviewing and systems and processes to streamline working practice, increase automation and remove duplication
• Ability to resolve highly complex problems including integration of financial and operational aspects into Strategic and operational plans.
• Ability to resolve complex problems involving the integration of financial and non-financial information.

Desirable

• Detailed proven knowledge of the NHS Costing guidance and experience of producing national cost returns.
• Specialist demonstrable experience of using costing systems and related applications.
• Proven knowledge of NHS Tariff regime and other NHS finance policies.
• Proven knowledge of SQL
• Demonstrable experience of using patient information systems.
• Statistical analysis demonstrable experience
• Demonstrable experience of using Business Intelligence tools (e.g. Power BI, Qlik, Tableau) as an end user or other similar reporting tools
• Demonstrable experience of NHS costing.

Qualifications

Essential

• "A" levels and 5 x GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent, including Mathematics and English Language at GCSE level.
• Proven equivalent knowledge and demonstrable experience and significant and relevant demonstrable experience to Professional Accountant level
• Commitment to continuing professional development in line with relevant Institute requirements.

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent
• Fully or part qualified (CCAB) Professional

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• Excellent level of numeracy.
• Able to deduce key points from large/highly complex volumes of data analysing several aspects of data.
• Advanced Analytical skills.
• Ability to review highly complex datasets and present to non-finance managers giving clear and concise advice, comparing a number of options, including identification of risks.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• Ability to influence decisions at a senior level on occasions where there are strong conflicts of opinion.
• Ability to represent the Trust confidently at external meetings as well as representing Finance at internal meetings.
• Good attention to detail.
• Proficient with modern "Office" Packages pref. Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint. Aptitude for IT.
• Advanced keyboard skills to ensure highest level of accuracy at all times.

Disposition/Attitude/Motivation

Essential

• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and act on own initiative without reference to line manager.
• Leads by example and instils a team approach to workload.
• Ability to challenge and deal with highly sensitive and contentious situations.
• Able to handle & convey sensitive information in an appropriate and discreet manner.
• Ability to bring about change and embed a continuous process improvement culture.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate highly developed theoretical and practical knowledge at an advanced level and experience and expertise in financial management, accounting procedures, relevant legislation and NHS finance policies.
• Ability to gain engagement from non-finance staff.
• Awareness of the current NHS "Agenda", national directives and all Governance aspects.
• Demonstrable experience of reviewing and systems and processes to streamline working practice, increase automation and remove duplication
• Ability to resolve highly complex problems including integration of financial and operational aspects into Strategic and operational plans.
• Ability to resolve complex problems involving the integration of financial and non-financial information.

Desirable

• Detailed proven knowledge of the NHS Costing guidance and experience of producing national cost returns.
• Specialist demonstrable experience of using costing systems and related applications.
• Proven knowledge of NHS Tariff regime and other NHS finance policies.
• Proven knowledge of SQL
• Demonstrable experience of using patient information systems.
• Statistical analysis demonstrable experience
• Demonstrable experience of using Business Intelligence tools (e.g. Power BI, Qlik, Tableau) as an end user or other similar reporting tools
• Demonstrable experience of NHS costing.

Qualifications

Essential

• "A" levels and 5 x GCSE Grade C or above or equivalent, including Mathematics and English Language at GCSE level.
• Proven equivalent knowledge and demonstrable experience and significant and relevant demonstrable experience to Professional Accountant level
• Commitment to continuing professional development in line with relevant Institute requirements.

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent
• Fully or part qualified (CCAB) Professional

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• Excellent level of numeracy.
• Able to deduce key points from large/highly complex volumes of data analysing several aspects of data.
• Advanced Analytical skills.
• Ability to review highly complex datasets and present to non-finance managers giving clear and concise advice, comparing a number of options, including identification of risks.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels.
• Ability to influence decisions at a senior level on occasions where there are strong conflicts of opinion.
• Ability to represent the Trust confidently at external meetings as well as representing Finance at internal meetings.
• Good attention to detail.
• Proficient with modern "Office" Packages pref. Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint. Aptitude for IT.
• Advanced keyboard skills to ensure highest level of accuracy at all times.

Disposition/Attitude/Motivation

Essential

• Ability to interpret policies and procedures and act on own initiative without reference to line manager.
• Leads by example and instils a team approach to workload.
• Ability to challenge and deal with highly sensitive and contentious situations.
• Able to handle & convey sensitive information in an appropriate and discreet manner.
• Ability to bring about change and embed a continuous process improvement culture.

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).

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

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Brittany House

Brest Road

Plymouth

PL6 5YE

Employer's website

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