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Creating your Primary Care Network Digital & Transformation Lead job description & 90-day objectives
Updated: Mar 24
1. Introduction and disclaimers
On the 26th of September, NHSE released their winter planning guidance, announcing the introduction of the Primary Care Network Digital Transformation Lead.
NHSE has advised that job descriptions will be imminently shared to provide further guidance, but for now, here is our take for you to modify and suit your needs.
In this blog, we provide you with the following;
A draft job description ( to get you started)
Some objectives to guide the first 90 days in this role
Five resources to support either those who have recently been appointed or are interested in applying for the role of the Digital and Transformation Lead
Seven interview questions to help you with your Digital and Transformation Lead recruitment
DISCLAIMER | THIS IS AN EXAMPLE
This particular job description is separate from the PCN Manager role and responsibilities, but I know that many networks will combine the roles. This is just an example, and we are not saying this is what everyone should do.
In this example, the digital and transformation lead will report to the PCN Manager. Again, this is just an example; we are not saying this is what everyone should do.
There are many job descriptions you can review on NHS jobs to give you other ideas.
2. Is it Digital Transformation Lead or Digital AND Transformation Lead?
My advice... you choose. The guidance does not dictate either or.
In this example, I included the AND.
Let's jump in!
3. Job Title
Primary Care Network Digital and Transformation Lead
4. Salary
NHS Band 8A starting at £48,526
5. Line Management
This role holds no line management responsibilities
The Digital and Transformation Lead will report to the PCN Manager
6. Objective of the role
The objective of the Digital and Transformation Lead is to lead and develop a strategic plan to build a robust digital infrastructure for ABC PCN and to implement this, which;
Is underpinned by a quality improvement methodology
Drives integrated working
Drives efficiency and reduces duplication
Reduces variation between practices
Is underpinned with easy-to-understand data packs to support decision-making that includes but is not limited to demand, capacity, utilisation data, staff and patient experience
Builds staff skills and capabilities
Enhances patient access whilst protecting our workforce
Takes into consideration the digital maturity of the PCN
Takes into consideration the population's health needs and health inequalities within our community
To improve digital accessibility for our patients
7. Main Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
To develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of the PCN digital infrastructure and business intelligence tools
To procure and manage digital tools for the PCN which is aligned to a framework of fundamental principles
To proactively project manage all digital projects and also evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention
To ensure all initiatives are supported by a clinical champion and practice management
To lead the development and implementation of digital transformation bids
To ensure all staff receive training on the digital tools within the PCN
To ensure the induction of all new members of staff receive training and resources on tools available
To ensure all initiatives are fully scoped and underpinned by a quality improvement methodology
To remain up to date with the national and local PCN guidance.
Governance
To create and maintain accurate documentation in relation to finances, standard operating procedures, contracts, contacts and decision-making, which is accessible centrally.
Communication, relationship building and presentation skills
To work in partnership with the PCN leadership and management team
To identify and develop relationships with practice staff, private providers, the local primary care team, neighbouring PCNs and other key partners to enable good working relationships and promote and share best practice
To deliver technical information in a non-technical and engaging way to a range of stakeholders
8. Equality and diversity
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues by:
Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people’s rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures, policies, and current legislation
Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
Behaving in a manner which is welcoming
Behaving in a manner that is non-judgmental and respects circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.
9. The first 90 days
In the first 90 days, we are expected in this role to;
Work closely with the PCN leadership and management team to understand the overall PCN strategy, which will underpin the digital infrastructure required.
Conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats ( SWOT) analysis of the current digital infrastructure of the PCN. This analysis will involve speaking with members of the PCN team.
Review what subscriptions are in place and compile their due dates for renewal and cost to the PCN.
Create a framework which encompasses fundamental principles to align and focus the PCN digital infrastructure, which may incorporate but not be limited to:
Value for money
Ease of implementation
Level of interoperability
Key performance indications
Overall outcome
Develop and present a finalised digital and transformation strategy and implementation plan.
10. Key Attributes
The ability to work calmly under pressure
The ability to process and manage conflicting advice and priorities
The ability to influence decisions without line management authority
The ability to adapt your leadership and management style to different situations
To deliver technical information in a non-technical and engaging way to a range of stakeholders
Patience
To be able to able to work as part of a dispersed team
To be positive and solution focussed
Commitment to professional development
The ability to design a manageable workload
11. Essential Experience
Experienced in delivering multiple programmes of IT projects through the entire project lifecycle.
Good understanding of the Digital agenda within the NHS and Social Care or Care Sector
Experience in delivering IT projects across multiples sites and departments
12. Desirable experience
The ideal candidate will be able to evidence;
Experience in delivering multiple programmes of IT projects through the entire project lifecycle in a health or care setting
Education to master’s degree level or equivalent professional experience
Quality improvement training
Project management qualification, such as PRINCE or equivalent experience
13. Digital Transformation Resources
If you are interested in applying for a PCN Digital and Transformation Lead role or have recently been appointed, you may want to check out the following resources.
Please click on the titles underlined, which are hyperlinked to the resources.
This resource highlights the importance of
Good user experiences
Understanding people’s needs
The importance of a shared language which is clear, precise and accessible
This resource highlight five core steps to help you role your digital transformation project.
This paper provides an example of a large-scale evaluation. Whilst you will not need to undertake a significant review like this at a PCN level, I have highlighted this resource for you to pick out some lessons learnt to help shape your intervention.
This report from the King Fund highlights key themes to enable successful digital change management.
All of these resources will help you gain a good understanding of the opportunities and barriers at play when it comes to developing new ways of working underpinned by technology.
Recruitment panels should want to see evidence of this understanding in the job interview.
14. Interview Questions (To get you started)
Presentation
Please deliver a 10-minute presentation of the key themes that will enable digital transformation in our Primary Care Network. Please note the presentation should be specific to our Primary Care Network.
Interview Questions
What attracts you to our Primary Care Network?
What three main challenges do you anticipate in executing this role?
What experience and expertise do you bring when facilitating IT transformation?
What is your approach to leading digital transformation, and what methodologies have you used in the past?
Please provide an example of the most successful digital initiative you have led.
Please provide an example of a digital initiative that has failed, and what were your lessons learned?
Please provide an example of when you managed to change someone's mind who was initially opposed to your suggestion/ plan.
For more insights on this role, check out our YouTube video and the blog titled Do we need a Digital and Transformation Lead?
We hope this is helpful.
Whilst we share a lot of information in our blogs, there is so much more, and for those of you who are looking to invest in your professional development and the performance of your network, our programmes are full of tools and templates and master classes.
We also have over 250 podcast episodes in our catalogue as well as our YouTube channel to watch updates.
Lastly, we lead and manage PCNs too. We are in the thick of it and experience the good and those days when you think 😫!
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Find out more about THC Primary Care at: https://www.thcprimarycare.co.uk
And follow Tara on Twitter: @tarahumphreyy
About the Author
I'm Tara; I am the founder of THC Primary Care, an award-winning healthcare consultancy specialising in Primary Care Network Management and the host of the Business of Healthcare Podcast, where we have now published over 290 episodes.
I have over 20 years of project management and business development experience across the private and public sectors, and I have supported over 120 PCNs by providing interim management, training and consultancy.
I have managed teams across multiple sites and countries; I have an MBA in Leadership and Management in Healthcare, I'm published in the London Journal of Primary Care, and I am the author of over 250 blogs.
I have 3 children. My eldest has Asthma, my middle child has a kidney condition called Nephrotic Syndrome, and my youngest daughter has Type 1 Diabetes, so outside of work, healthcare plays a huge role in my life.
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