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VACANCY NOTICE
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for appointment to the post of QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
- To develop, implement and oversee quality management and improvement programmes, perform compliance analyses and best practices research, monitor, and evaluate quality management infrastructure, in accordance with quality assurance system standards and regulations; to enable measurable improvements in the delivery of health services.
- To manage assigned staff and resources to ensure work programmes are implemented in accordance with legislative, and operational requirements, and established labour practices.
- Responds to the Chief Medical Officer and liaises with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Health Standard Organisation (HSO), Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards, accreditation bodies and local, regional, and international stakeholders on matters relating to work in progress.
DUTIES AND TASKS
- Directs the development and operationalisation of quality management systems by developing manuals and service assessments; monitoring client feedback; identifying and resolving issues of non-conformity and reviewing corrective and preventative measures, to ensure regulatory compliance and to maintain and improve service standards.
- Leads and manages assigned staff through target setting, continuous dialogue, mentoring, coaching and assessment of staff performance including identifying training needs and gaps, to ensure effective performance management.
- Prepares the work programme for the unit through strategic planning, consultation with stakeholders and team members and review of key evidence-based reports/documentation, to enable the determination of targets, milestones and deadlines.
- Spearheads the establishment of national standards and operational procedures for the licencing of healthcare facilities through the identification of need, research and consultation with regulatory bodies, partners and stakeholders for the certification and implementation of the healthcare quality system, to ensure standardisation in health services.
- Develops, implements and reviews the operations manual by leading research, identifying and utilising established best practices, defining goals and policies, detailing procedural steps to achieve set objectives and formulating contingency measures, to enable accountability, efficiency, effectiveness and standardisation in operations.
- Develops, monitors and evaluates quality improvement systems by implementing frameworks to systematically assess the delivery of care to patients, analysing and measuring processes and procedures, assessing human resource capabilities at healthcare facilities against requirements, consulting with stakeholders and preparing reports on findings, to enable a reliable, cost effective, quality and sustainable healthcare system.
- Oversees and participates in quality checks by utilising established quality standards, leading audits of processes, procedures, and systems, undertaking site visits at healthcare facilities, and preparing reports to document findings and recommendations, to ensure quality healthcare standards are met and maintained.
- Establishes and participates in a national network of performance improvement for healthcare professionals by developing a framework and terms of reference, formulating a committee, and sharing best practices, tools and resources, to facilitate capacity building and knowledge transfer.
- Investigates complaints lodged by patients by performing audits and reviewing patient records and documents in collaboration with relevant professional councils and team members, to ensure accountability, enable corrective action and the implementation and/or strengthening of preventative measures.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of the quality management system by conducting assessments, identifying, and analysing trends and reviewing and preparing reports to inform and make recommendations for improvements to the National Healthcare Quality Policy.
- Facilitates internal and external audits by providing access to operations and resources, including documents, files, and records to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and established quality management standards and systems.
- Facilitates continuous learning through training, workshops and meetings by applying effective training methodologies and presentations skills to build capacity in quality assurance.
- Establishes linkages with relevant stakeholders through collaboration and networking at the local, regional and international levels, to enable information sharing, knowledge transfer and the identification of requisite resources to fulfil the mandate of the department.
- Represents the Department on committees, conferences and meetings at the local, regional and international levels to articulate government’s policy position and foster networking and alliances.
- Empowers assigned staff to resolve inquiries and/or complaints from internal and external customers through established monitoring mechanisms, intervening in exceptional circumstances and maintaining an issues log to enable excellent service delivery and maximise customer satisfaction.
- Supervises the development, implementation, and maintenance of proficient records management systems in accordance with standard operating procedures, to ensure the retention and accessibility of data that serve the information needs of stakeholders, enable reporting obligations, and promote accountability and transparency.
- Develops, implements, and monitors the budget for the unit by working in collaboration with the Budget and Finance Unit and attending budget planning meetings to enable access to funds for programme implementation, ensure the effective use of resources and to facilitate early detection and management of budget variations.
- Prepares status reports on the work programme of the unit in accordance with standard operating procedures, to allow for a review of set targets and objectives, facilitate decision-making and promote accountability.
- Performs any other job-related duties as may be assigned.
CONDITIONS
- Congenial accommodation is provided within a general administrative office.
- Institutional support is provided through the Constitution of Saint Lucia, civil service rules and regulations, Public Health Act, Nurses and Midwives Act, Millennium Heights Medical Complex Act, Health Practitioners Act, International Standard – Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015), standard operating procedures, Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, Finance (Administration) Act and attendant regulations and other relevant policy documents.
- Opportunities exist for personal development through established orientation and training programmes, as outlined in the Training and Development Policy for the Saint Lucia Public Service.
- May be required to work beyond the normal working hours.
- Required to remain current on practices and developments in the public health and quality management fields.
- Required to demonstrate political acuity.
- Required to maintain integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism in the conduct of duties
- Required to be punctual and present for work, meetings, and other official appointments and activities.
- May be required to travel regionally and internationally in the conduct of duties.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with that stipulated in the terms and conditions of employment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the International Standard – Quality Management Systems standards (ISO 9001:2015).
- Expert knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply principles and practices of quality management and improvement, qualitative and quantitative research, and programme evaluation.
- Advanced knowledge of the structure of the public service and ability to interpret and apply its administrative policies and procedures.
- Advanced knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply civil service rules and regulations, standard operating procedures, Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, National Healthcare Quality Policy, Public Health Act, Nurses and Midwives Act, Millennium Heights Medical Complex Act, Health Practitioners Act, and other relevant policy documents.
- Intermediate knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the Finance (Administration) Act and attendant regulations and other relevant policy documents.
- Expert interpersonal skills and consistently demonstrates emotional intelligence.
- Expert oral and written communication, listening and presentation skills.
- Advanced leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate employees.
- Advanced analytical and conceptualisation skills.
- Advanced negotiation and mediation skills.
- Advanced business process management, organisational and project management skills.
- Advanced computer literacy skills, with the ability to manipulate software applications such as word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentations programmes, and the ability to use data analysis software such as Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and Epi Info.
- Ability to conduct health sector analysis, health planning and health service utilisation and coverage analysis based on quality dimensions.
- Ability to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with team members and other stakeholders.
- Ability to management time, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- Ability to exercise initiative and judgement in the execution of duties.
- Intellectually acute, visionary, and innovative.
- Ability to adapt to organisational change.
EVALUATION METHOD
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply the International Standard – Quality Management Systems standards (ISO 9001:2015).
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and the ability to interpret and apply principles and practices of quality management and improvement, qualitative and quantitative research and programme evaluation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the structure of the Public Service and ability to interpret and apply its administrative policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply civil service rules and regulations, standard operating procedures, Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure, National Healthcare Quality Policy, Public Health Act, Nurses and Midwives Act, Millennium Heights Act, Health Practitioners Act, the Finance (Administration) Act and other relevant policy documents.
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills and consistently demonstrates emotional intelligence.
- Demonstrated oral and written communication, listening and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate employees.
- Demonstrated analytical and conceptualisation skills.
- Demonstrated negotiation and mediation skills.
- Demonstrated business process management, organisational and project management skills.
- Demonstrated computer literacy skills.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct health sector analysis, health planning and health service utilisation and coverage analysis based on quality dimensions.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively develop and maintain working relationships with team members and other stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to management time, meet deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain integrity, confidentiality and professionalism in the conduct of duties.
- Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative and judgement in the execution of duties.
- Demonstrated ability to complete assignments and tasks as defined by performance targets.
- Demonstrated political acuity.
- Demonstrated ability to remain current on practices and developments in the public health and quality management fields.
- Demonstrated ability to prepare and submit reports that meet established standards.
- Demonstrated intellectually acute, visionary, and innovative.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to organisational change.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Master’s Degree in Quality Assurance/Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Health Planning or a related field, plus four (4) years’ experience in a post at Grade 10 or four (4) years’ relevant professional experience; OR
- Master’s Degree in Quality Assurance/Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Health Planning or a related field, plus two (2) years’ experience in a post at Grade 12 or above or two (2) years’ relevant professional experience; OR
- Bachelor’s Degree plus Post Graduate Diploma in Quality Assurance/Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Health Planning, or a related field, plus three (3) years’ experience in a post at Grade 12 or three (3) years’ relevant professional experience; OR
- Bachelor’s Degree in Quality Assurance/Management, Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Health Planning, or other related field, plus four (4) years’ experience in a post at Grade 12 or four (4) years’ relevant professional experience.
SALARY
Salary is at the rate of EC $73,901.15 per annum (Grade 16 Step 1).
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be made on the prescribed Government of Saint Lucia application form along with certified copies of documents pertaining to qualifications, plus two (2) recent references and one (1) passport sized photograph and should be addressed to:
The Secretary
Public Service Commission
Sir Stanislaus James Building
The Waterfront
Castries, St. Lucia
Applications should reach at the address no later than September 22, 2021.
Only suitable candidates will be acknowledged.
Please be advised that only the candidates with the best qualifications and experience will be short listed for interviews. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and experience may not be considered for an interview.
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