NHS
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB DETAILS
JOB REFERENCE
SSMEDDNHSHHCSC01
JOB TITLE
Healthcare Science (HCS) Professional Lead
DEPARTMENT AND LOCATION
NHS Highland
IMMEDIATE MANAGER’S TITLE
Board Medical Director (Executive Lead for HCS)
2. JOB PURPOSE
To provide Professional Leadership for the HCS Professions within NHS Scotland Health Boards. This post is
specific to NHS Highland
To support HCSs in maximising their contribution to support the redesign of services and roles in healthcare.
To support the local implementation of the National Delivery Plan (NDP) locally in NHS Highland and contributing
nationally, for Healthcare Scientists (currently under development).
The role contributes to a national programme to enhance the quality of services provided by HCSs.
3. SCOPE AND RANGE
The NHSScotland, HCSs serve a population of 5.2 million people. While the HCS workforce makes up less than 5%
of the NHS Scotland workforce, almost 80% of patient diagnoses can be attributed to their work. The Laboratory
services provide analytical, interpretative and advisory services to primary and secondary care. They are essential to
the diagnosis, management, screening and monitoring of disease across a wide range of clinical specialities,
contributing to initiatives optimising patient care and reducing length of in-patient stay. They facilitate one-stop-shop
clinics and support changes throughout the health service.
With the exceptions of maxillofacial prosthetics and medical illustration, the Physical Sciences stream of HCS work
predominantly within medical physics and bioengineering services. This staff group includes those working in
Biomechanical Engineering, Clinical Measurement, Diagnostic Radiology, Equipment Management, Information
Technology, Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Medical Electronics, Medical Engineering & Design, Medical Illustration,
Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Protection, Radiotherapy Physics, Rehabilitation Engineering, Renal Technology and
Ultrasound.
Physiology HCS covers services characterised by close interaction with patients such as Audiology, Cardiac
Physiology, Respiratory-Sleep Physiology, Neurophysiology or Perfusion.
HCSs support a range of teaching activities contributing to the training of medical, nursing and laboratory staff at
undergraduate and postgraduate level. There is also a significant involvement in research and development and
clinical trials work.
The position of Professional Lead for HCS is designed to provide local leadership in each NHS Scotland Health
Board and support the implementation of policy for HCS; to support redesign of services and roles in NHS Boards.
The post holder is responsible for interpreting the requirements of a variety of Government and Local Health Board
policies and establish, in corroboration with stakeholders, how best to address these needs.
The role contributes to a national programme to enhance the quality of services provided by HCSs.
The purpose of this role is therefore to:

Provide local Professional leadership for HCS. To include provision of professional advice and guidance, and
input to national standards, guidelines, policy and strategy.
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
Network and link with key colleagues and stakeholders including: Chief Health Professions Officer (CHPO) and
HCS Officer colleagues in the Chief Nursing Officer, Patients, Public and Health Professions Directorate
(CNOPPP) of the SG; HCS Leads group; relevant staff in NHS Education Scotland (NES); Scottish forum for
Healthcare Science (SFHCS) and HCS leads in other UK administrations.

Influence and contribute to the implementation of the NDP for HCS
4.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Chief Health Professions
Officer SG
NHS Scotland HCS Officer
NHS Highland
HCS Lead
(This Post)
HCS National Lead
(Physical Sciences)
HCS National Lead
(Physiological Sciences)
HCS National Lead
(Life Sciences)
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5. ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The post-holder will be hosted and employed by NHS Highland but will provide a unique function for the SG and
NHSScotland and is not part of any traditional department. The post holder will have strategic links to:

Chief Health Professions Officer and team

HCS Leads for NHSScotland

Relevant staff in NES and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)

HCS Professional Bodies

The Academy for HCS
The post holder will be required to determine the strategic direction for the HCS in Life Sciences taking cognisance
of national and local policy drivers and trends in supply and demand.
6. KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: KEY RESULT AREAS / MAIN TASKS

To provide local professional leadership and advice for the HCSs working in the host Board. To include:
provision of professional advice and guidance, input to national standards, guidelines, policy and strategy, and
workforce planning.

To work with leaders in other professional groups to establish working patterns which make efficient use of the
skill mix and expertise within HCS

Establish and promote effective and sustainable networks for laboratory diagnostics, promoting efficient use of
emerging technology, and working with colleagues in primary and secondary care to promote a culture of
demand management.

Ensure effective sharing of good practice across NHSScotland and establish mechanisms to ensure
sustainability

Provide HCS clinical expertise for relevant national policy and strategy

Monitor, evaluate and report on all key areas and tasks
7. RESEARCH, AUDIT AND DEVELOPMENT

Map existing provision and participation of HCSs working within their host Board.

Collaborate with key stakeholders to develop a robust evidence base to underpin practice
Leadership, Change Management and Policy Development

Contribute to the formation and development of regional and national strategic plans and policies for the
provision of effective and efficient HCS input to Life Sciences.

Interpret and guide the implementation of a range of policies relating to HCS services across Scotland taking
local factors into account.

Ensure the local implementation of existing educational frameworks and policies to underpin existing and new
roles and support HCS staff in the implementation of the same.

Work with colleagues in NES and professional bodies to ensure these educational frameworks deliver for the
changing needs of service.

Represent HCSs at local Board level.
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
Ensure that the service users of HCS services receive the best evidence based care by supporting HCS and
multi-professional Practice Development through shared teaching and learning opportunities & influence
commissioning of associated post-graduate education
8. USE OF PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Equipment, machinery and Systems
Use of computer to:



Develop and gather information about key stakeholders, communication networks etc
Creation of posters, leaflets, documents, reports, fliers and presentations
Update and maintain data gathered during the course of the project.
A working knowledge of the following software packages






Word
Access
Excel
PowerPoint
Outlook
Publisher
Database construction and maintenance
Maintain records of confidential issues which are gathered and acted upon with sensitivity
Use of audio-visual equipment such as data-projectors, laptop computers, overhead projectors for the use in education
and training
9. ASSIGNMENT, GENERATION AND REVIEW OF WORK
The post holder will be professionally accountable to the Healthcare Science Officer, with local reporting
arrangements to the Board Medical Director, NHS Highland, who is the nominated NHSH Executive Lead for HCS.
In addition to the operational line management, support and leadership will be available from the NHS Scotland HCS
Officer at SG. Overall strategic leadership for post will be provided by the Chief Health Professions Officer.
The post holder is expected to work autonomously in planning, prioritising and setting objectives for his/her own work
within a regional and national context. The postholder will also be expected to act autonomously in devising the
means of delivering on the above responsibilities.
10. COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The postholder is required to deploy advanced skills in communicating with a range of internal and external
stakeholders in developing consensus about project aims and outcomes and in executing the implementation plan.
The postholder will take a leading role in implementing a communications strategy to develop awareness of project
benefits and outcomes and to secure involvement from organisations and individuals from within NHSScotland and
the education sector.
Specific communication skills required include the ability to:
 to influence and motivate cultural change within Health Board Areas in matters relating to HCS services

influence and negotiate in order to secure engagement, present proposals, obtain support for proposals, and
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secure involvement of colleagues in initiatives;

present complex/ specialist information at internal and external conferences and seminars;

present and brief groups of internal and external stakeholders with complex and sensitive information which may
challenge existing practices.

draft information, reports, articles and papers to publication standard;

facilitate workshop and focus group discussions; chair meetings effectively;

excellent written skills, critical appraisal skills and the ability to disseminate complex, highly specialised or
contentious information

implementation of policies will depend on inter-agency collaborative working among a wide range of professions;
As such the post holder will be required to influence senior professional, clinical, educational, management and
executive staff throughout Scotland.
The complexity of communication and working relationships can be demonstrated through the variety of
stakeholders with whom the post holder will require to communicate, influence and negotiate.
These will include:
Nationally:
CHPO, Healthcare Science Officer, Directorate for CNOPPP, HCS leads, NHS Education for Scotland, HIS,
SFHCS, Academy for Healthcare Science.
Regionally
Heads of Service for each HCS service, professional leads, HCS qualified staff of all levels and assistants,
patients/clients and families using HCS services.
To meet the objectives of the Professional lead role the post holder will be required to work in partnership with
stakeholders and budget holders to facilitate sharing and implementation of good practice and implementation of
policy and standards.
11. MOST CHALLENGING PARTS OF THE JOB
Influencing HCS leads and service heads to share and evolve practice in times of great demands on clinicians and
services and encouraging them to act innovatively in overcoming barriers such as lack of funding and time
Managing time effectively to achieve required outcomes within limit constraints of the project
Working within a matrix management framework, reporting to SG, as well as local Health Board reporting structures.
Engaging and maintaining effective communication with senior staff within SG, territorial health boards, special
health boards, the education and training sector, professional and statutory bodies and other organisations .
Maintaining communications with a range of audiences to convey complex information and comment.
High degree of autonomy and ability to direct own work.
12. EFFORT REQUIRED TO DELIVER THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POST
Physical skills
The post holder is expected to have standard keyboard skills and be able to produce a database. Will be required to
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drive to reach more rural locations within Health Board area and on occasion across Scotland.
Physical effort
The post holder will be required on a regular basis (weekly) to exert moderate physical effort e.g. carrying laptop and
projector as well as other material required when doing presentations into and out of a number of NHS locations. This
will also included carrying boxes containing 20-30 A4 folders at any given time. They will be sitting at a keyboard
producing reports and data bases on occasions (e.g. weekly) and will be in a restricted position if driving over long
distances.
Mental effort
Daily requirement for long periods of intense concentration in the formulation of plans, analysis of intelligence and
compilation of responses and reports for SG.
Flexibility in dealing with changing demands of the environment including unpredictable loads and patterns and
competing priorities.
Emotional effort
Post holder may have direct dealings with staff that are resistant to the changes in practice the project will
recommend e.g. incorporating learning into the workplace. The post holder may have a significant role in contributing
to the change agenda and whereas this would normally be positive it has the potential at times to be contentious thus
requiring well developed listening and influencing skills e.g. in relation to role development. This may at times be
contentious and will often require postholder to use highly developed communication skills to get agreement or to
initiate a change in practice.
The postholder will be indirectly exposed to the emotional challenges experienced by staff requiring mentorship.
Working Conditions
Post holder will be largely working in an office environment with little significant exposure to noise, fumes or other
hazards. The postholder will be required to travel on a regular basis across NHSScotland to fulfil responsibilities of
post.
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE SPECIFIED FOR THE POST
Qualifications,
Degree level professional qualification (or equivalent)
Registration with Health Professions Council or voluntary register.
Training: Evidence of CPD relevant to HCS working in Life Sciences programmes/services
Experience
Experience of working at Master’s Level
Experience of working at a senior level
Experience in audit
Experience in workshop management
Experience of change management
Experience in project management
Skills
Ability to function and to support others within the context of a rapidly changing environment
High level of communication skills within complex, diverse and at times unreceptive environments
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Ability to achieve results through personal power, persuasion and influence of people at all levels
Ability to adopt necessary leadership styles depending on the context
Ability to collate, analyse and make informed judgements on information sets.
High-level written, verbal and presentation skills.
Demonstrates and understands the specialities within the team, their perspectives and issues including the diverse
roles, training needs and requirements of all staff within the different HCS Professions.
IM&T skills
Able to work independently and in a self directed manner within the remit and timescales of the project
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THIS SECTION TO BE REMOVED FOR JOB MATCHING PURPOSES
13.
JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This job description should cover the whole of the post, the skills required and the working environment in which the
postholder operates. Both post holder and manager should check the form, agree content and sign it as an accurate
record.
Job holder’s signature: ………………………………………………………………..
Date: ………………………
Manager’s signature: …………………………………………………………………
Date: ………………………
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