Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) Data Manager
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Job summary
The JCST Data Manager is responsible for the effective governance, management, analysis and secure use of JCST and Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) data, supporting research activities through the provision of high-quality data and analysis. The role supports the Data Analysis, Audit and Research Group (DAARG) by servicing meetings, managing the application process for access to training data, including evaluating requests, advising internal and external researchers, retrieving and validating data, and overseeing the secure transfer of information. The role is responsible for analysing and reporting on complex datasets using a range of analytical tools and techniques, producing insights to support operational decision-making, quality improvement and research activity. Acting as JCST’s key contact for data governance and compliance, the postholder works closely with RCS England governance and data protection colleagues to ensure compliance with GDPR, data protection legislation and records management best practice. The role also maintains and develops processes relating to data storage, retention, cleansing, archiving, encryption and information security across JCST and ISCP, helping to ensure that data are managed securely, accurately and efficiently.
Specific duties and responsibilities
Data management
- Develop and manage the JCST/ISCP protocol for the application and approval of requests for JCST/ISCP data for internal and external research.
- Evaluate requests for JCST/ISCP data and make recommendations to the DAARG in liaison with the JCST Research Lead. This area includes consideration of good practice research principles, data governance, data protection regulations and the JCST strategy.
- Service the DAARG by drafting agendas, preparing reports and circulating papers prior to meetings, managing the ‘fast-tracking’ of requests when necessary and after meetings, drafting responses on behalf of the group and updating JCST web pages.
- Assist the DAARG Chair by briefing the group on relevant data management protocols and providing updates on progress.
- Advise and guide internal and external researchers on making data applications in relation to specific research projects and communicate decisions to applicants.
- Manage the secure transfer of data, using encryption and secure channels.
- Access and integrate other datasets when required such as eLogbook, GMC and RCS England SIMS.
- Induct new DAARG members, in particular eLogbook and IT/Database colleagues who have data management roles.
Data Governance
- Lead JCST data compliance by working with the RCS England’s Head of Governance and/or Data Protection Officer (DPO).
- Establish systems to ensure that the JCST fulfils its legal obligations in relation to the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) in liaison with the Head of JCST and Head of ISCP.
- Create and manage, in collaboration with IT/web team colleagues and external stakeholders, the interface between internal and external systems as required, such as data sharing transfers and ultimately the development of APIs.
- Monitor compliance with the data protection policy, retention policy and records management best practice.
- Manage responses to data subject requests and reported issues relating to JCST/ISCP.
- Report any non-compliance to policy, risks or potential risks to the RCS England Head of Governance/DPO, Head of JCST and Head of ISCP, and coordinate JCST’s response for resolution.
- Provide information to help JCST staff understand and enact their responsibilities for data protection and records management (where relevant involving the RCS England Head of Governance/DPO, Head of JCST and Head of ISCP).
- Advise and support intercollegiate committees on JCST/ISCP data governance when necessary.
- Represent JCST on external data governance groups, currently the RCS England Information Governance Committee and COPMeD Overarching Data Group.
- Work with JCST senior management and RCS England IT Department to establish, implement and maintain the JCST/ISCP data protection policies, including data storage, data retention, cleansing, archiving, encryption and transfer. This area involves managing changing priorities and responding to differing situations.
Data analysis
- Develop JCST/ISCP data policy in collaboration with the JCST Chair, JCST Research Lead, ISCP Surgical Director, DAARG and senior managers.
- Use querying language (SQL), statistical language (R or optionally STATA, and SPSS) and spreadsheets (Excel) to retrieve, mine and analyse data from a variety of data sources or files, to gain insight for decision-making. This area may include the handling of complex data integration issues and solutions.
- Use techniques for cleansing and validating data extracts.
- Design and run data reports using Excel, PowerBI or other appropriate tools.
- Respond to ad-hoc data analysis requests from the senior management team as needed.
- Identify, analyse, and interpret trends or patterns in complex data sets.
- Identify and recommend ways to improve the capture, quality and reporting of data.
Research strategy
- Work with the JCST Research Lead and Head of ISCP to agree JCST/ISCP research objectives as part of JCST strategy and produce update reports for the JCST and General Medical Council.
- Support specialised research or evaluation projects. This area will involve managing detailed, complex and large datasets and statistical tests according to research protocols with a significant degree of analysis and judgement. It may also offer opportunities to produce publications based on this research.
General
- The post-holder is expected to represent the JCST in a professional manner in relation to his or her responsibilities and in ensuring their own continuing professional development.
- Undertake such duties appropriate to the grade, as required by the Head ISCP or Head of JCST.
This job description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and may include other duties and responsibilities as may be determined. It is not intended to be rigid or inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works.
Person specification
Essential
Qualifications
- Degree in a discipline requiring an understanding of statistical and data analysis techniques or a proven track record in a similar role
Experience and skills
- Strong background in data management
- Knowledge of good data protection principles and the General Data Governance Regulations (GDPR)
- Experience of writing SQL
- Experience in statistical / data analysis using specific statistical analysis and database query software e.g. Excel and PowerBI
- Substantial experience of working in an educational environment
- Data analysis techniques
- Ability to independently search complex relational databases
- Advanced Microsoft Office, especially Excel
- Problem solving skills
- High level of numeracy
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Report writing
People and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrable experience of interpreting technical information for a non-technical audience through briefing papers and reports
- Experience of dealing directly with customers/service users
- Ability to form good working relationships at all levels
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
- Good time management skills
Desirable
Qualifications
- Postgraduate degree in a field of statistical and data analysis
Experience and skills
- Experience of data analysis relating to web-based interactive systems
- Knowledge of healthcare sector and / or postgraduate medical training
- Experience of working for a professional body
- Experience of conducting analysis on large datasets
- Experience of programming in Python
- Contributing to research publications
The post holder will also need to demonstrate the following values:
Collaboration
We embrace our collective responsibilities working collaboratively and as one college.
- We work together, using our collective expertise and experience to effect positive change
- We are open, honest and transparent, straightforward in our language and actions, acting with sincerity and delivering on our commitments
- We take our responsibilities to each other, to patient care and to the environment seriously and we act with this in mind across our work
Respect
We value every person we come into contact with at the College as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand and meet their physical and wellbeing needs.
- We treat everyone we meet with kindness and integrity and we seek to promote these behaviours in others
- We actively seek a range of views and experiences across our work, and we listen to, and make everyone feel, a valued part of the team
Excellence
We aspire to excellence and success. We share learning from our experiences, apply feedback into practice, and commit to continual improvement.
- We work hard to be the best at what we do, recognising and celebrating effort and achievement, and reflecting on our work, so we can learn and improve
- We value and invest in research, education and training to drive excellence and put improvements in surgical practice, dentistry and patient care at the heart of our work
- We always seek to learn and discover more, valuing knowledge and scientific evidence, basing our decisions on insights, fact and experience
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are open to all talent and we actively ensure that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regards to race/ethnicity, national origin, religion, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age and disability.
