Medical Director Designate – Symphony Healthcare Services
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Are you a dynamic and visionary medical leader who is passionate about General Practice? Do you relish the challenge of clinically leading a large scale multi-practice provider, supported by a dedicated and skilled team? Are you attracted to the beautiful county of Somerset?
If so, this is a unique and exceptional opportunity for you to join Symphony Healthcare Services (Symphony) as Medical Director Designate, initially working as our Deputy Medical Director for 2 - 4 sessions per week with a clear developmental pathway in place to enable you to transition into the eventual role of Medical Director in the summer of 2025 when our current Medical Director retires.
We are seeking an experienced General Practitioner (GP) who has the attributes, strategic vision and drive to take the next step in their medical leadership career.
Alongside the role of Medical Director Designate, you will work a minimum of 2 clinical sessions in a GP role within one or more of the Symphony practices.
Terms and conditions aligned to the BMA standard GP contract will be offered, and the role attracts a highly attractive remuneration package with additional benefits including access to a car lease scheme and support towards learning/education and the development of specialist skills.
Who are we?
Symphony is a General Practice organisation providing NHS General Practice services as an “arm’s length” subsidiary of Somerset Foundation Trust (SFT). Symphony is providing innovative solutions to support Primary Care in Somerset, and currently holds 13 GMS and 3 PMS contracts in the county, serving a patient population of 132,000. Symphony is a key partner in the developing Somerset Integrated Care System and is supporting the sustainability and transformation of Primary Care through the development of novel integrated and “at scale” care models.
Role accountabilities
The Medical Director Designate will initially report to the current Medical Director of Symphony Healthcare Services (Symphony) and, together with the Medical Director, will be the Contract Holder (though a “Nominee Partnership”) for all GMS contracts operated by Symphony. The role holder will subsequently report to the Managing Director following the transition into the Medical Director post.
You will be a voting member of the Symphony Healthcare Services Board and a senior executive supporting the Medical Director, with clinical responsibility for ensuring the organisation delivers the highest quality of safe and effective healthcare to the patients registered with the Symphony practices.
Scope of the role
You will support the Medical Director in providing clinical leadership to the organisation, lead on the areas of performance and recruitment / retention, be a contract holder enabling Symphony to operate GMS Contracts, and support the line management of the practice Clinical Leads and other Clinical Leads (e.g. education, research) working within the organisation’s Medical Leadership structure.
You will have a strategic role not only within Symphony, but also externally at local level particularly linking in with colleagues working within Somerset Foundation Trust, which uniquely provides all acute, community and mental health services in Somerset in addition to having Symphony as a subsidiary. You will play an essential role in the development of a Symphony Care Strategy, and in networking with local and national providers and other relevant agencies to develop and secure adequate resources for the services provided by the organisation.
What will you need to bring to the role?
This is a pivotal post which will work alongside operational and clinical colleagues as part of the Director team. We are looking for someone with a passion for improving standards of care and patient experience, a personal drive to increase the health and wellbeing of our patient population, and a compassionate and inclusive leader with excellent communication and collaboration skills. You must be able to demonstrate our core values of kindness, teamwork and respect.
Job responsibilities
- Senior Contract Holder of all the GMS practice contracts, and a Signatory for the GMS contracts provided by Symphony Healthcare Services.
- Have a solid understanding of the contracting mechanisms, including the implications of the Nominee GP structure and the sub-contracting mechanism through which Symphony operates GMS contracts.
- Ensure compliance with medical revalidation for GPs employed by Symphony and be responsible (delegated from the Medical Director for all performance matters related to doctors working within the Symphony practices, not confined to directly employed GPs.
- Have joint responsibility with the Nursing & AHP Director for the development and performance of all other clinical staff working within Symphony.
- Support the Medical Director in the responsibility for the overall clinical performance of Symphony, and provide clinical leadership in all areas pertaining to the role (clinical, education, research, data, digital, quality and innovation).
- Together with the Medical Director, line manage and provide support to the Symphony practice Clinical Leads, in addition to other clinicians leading on areas such as education, quality, transformation and research.
- Work with the Medical Director and Clinical Director for Quality and Clinical Safety to provide advice and support to practice Clinical Leads and the Symphony Central Team in relation to the management clinical complaints.
- Oversee the safety and effectiveness of the provision of General Practice services (core and non-core) to the patients registered with Symphony practices. Report related concerns, risks and remedial proposals to the Managing Director as appropriate.
- Have the lead responsibility to ensure compliance with medical revalidation for GPs employed by Symphony, and lead the internal management of performance concerns related to doctors working within the Symphony practices, not confined to directly employed GPs.
- Ensure the Symphony appraisal and performance policies are followed for Symphony employed GPs and that incidents discussed in performance review are communicated into the medical revalidation process, working with the Deanery, Performance Advisory Group (PAG) and relevant Responsible Officer (RO).
- In conjunction with the Director of HR, investigate disciplinary and grievance procedures in accordance with the GMC Medical Performance and Conduct procedure and Symphony policies.
- Be a voting member of the Symphony Healthcare Services Board.
- Promote and represent the best interests of Symphony within local, regional and national forums, promoting collaboration and integration and supporting the Medical Director and Managing Director in negotiations with commissioners, stakeholders, and other providers.
- Act as an ambassador for Symphony and General Practice through engagement events and the provision of education and training events.
- In conjunction with the Director of HR, take lead responsibility for the recruitment, selection, development and management of all GPs employed by Symphony.
- Endeavour to maintain good staff morale within the GP workforce and ensure appropriate staff support through a variety of structures is readily available. Specifically, work with the Symphony Education Lead to ensure that opportunities are available for each GP to access appropriate supervision, mentoring and career development.
- Support the Medical Director in reviewing and revising the Symphony GP employment model.
- Support the development and review of the Symphony Clinical Workforce plan and clinical operations model.
- Ensure that practice workforce plans and planned rotas provide at least the agreed minimum level of clinical cover to Symphony services at all times.
- In conjunction with the Executive team, contribute to the development and review of strategies, policies and the Symphony Business Plan.
- Support senior Symphony Directors to ensure systems are in place so that all clinical policies, guidelines and standards are disseminated, understood and followed in line with statutory requirements as stated by the Care Quality Commission and with any external auditors, delegating this to the relevant Clinical Director as appropriate.
- Maintain confidentiality of clinical information under General Data Protection Rules (GDPR), the Data Protection Act, and General Medical Council codes of practice, in addition to assuring the same for all medical staff working with Symphony patients.
- Ensure compliance with relevant statutory requirements as they affect the Symphony service, e.g. Health and Safety at work (including Manual Handling regulations), fire safety, data protection, clinical governance and the Care Quality Commission.
- Ensure all clinical records are maintained according to statutory requirements and specifically, GDPR, Care Quality Commission and the GMC.
- In conjunction with the Medical Director, be responsible for the delivery of high-quality clinical services to patients and their relatives/carers, ensuring that their physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional and social needs are met whenever possible within the available resources.
- In line with the business needs of Symphony, and working with the Operations, Finance and HR Directors, develop the clinical workforce model and clinical operational model, monitor and maintain clinical workforce needs, observing budgetary constraints and ensuring minimum expected standards of care are not compromised.
- Provide relevant reports in conjunction with the Medical Director to Governance Groups and the Symphony and SFT Board of Directors.
- Promote the principle and ethos of lifelong learning and ensure that clinical practice is evidence based and linked to latest research.
- Clinically lead on the exploration of options for innovation within Symphony, and support the implementation of innovative solutions agreed by the Symphony Board and Executive Team, delegating this as appropriate.
- Provide clinical leadership in the exploration of digital tools and solutions to support operations in Symphony, delegating this as appropriate.
- Provide clinical advice to the Symphony Data Team and support the organisation to be data driven.
- Support the process of standardisation of protocols and processes within the Symphony practices, working with the Clinical Reference Group to collate, approve, and disseminate these to the Symphony practices.
- Participate in the Clinical Lead rota, and be available at other times (during working hours) for advice when the duty Clinical Lead is not available, or in matters of particular complexity requiring additional advice.
- Provide senior medical, clinical, contractual and operational advice to all staff including the Symphony Central Team. The Deputy Medical Director will therefore be expected to be fully competent in relation to General Practice contracts, Safeguarding, Confidentiality, NICE guidance, Data Protection, GMC, NMC and HCPC codes of conduct, and all the areas of care (including non-NHS services) provided by the Symphony practices.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- In practice as a General Practitioner / locum practitioner Commitment to and experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary and skill mixed team environment Experience of working in a senior leadership role
- Experience of working to achieve standards within the
- Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF)
- Experience of working in primary care in an area with significant health problems
- Development of areas of clinical expertise
- Experience of audit and improving care for patients
Desirable
- Experience of leading service change
- Experience of leading an organisation
- Involvement in Performance investigations
Qualifications
Essential
- A medical practitioner whose name is included in the General Practitioner Register under article 10 of the General and Specialist Medical Practice Order 2003
- Not subject to suspension under section 41A of the Medical Act 1983
- Qualified General Practitioner (completed Certificate of Completion of Training CCT)
- Currently on a Performers List and not suspended from that list or from the GMC Medical Register
- Accredited as a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) or having equivalent accreditation
- MBBS or equivalent medical degree
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential
- Understanding the role of medical services in a wider public health agenda
- Knowledge of General Practice Commissioning, Contracting, and Funding
- Knowledge of the demographic characteristics that affect health and health care in the area
- Understanding current NHS policies
- Understanding of the health and social needs of a local practice patient population and their variation in different practices
- Understanding the current issues and challenges facing General Practice and wider Primary Care
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (Overseas health professionals | Health Careers).
Recruitment process and key dates:
• Closing date for applications: 3rd May 2024
• Shortlisting
The shortlisting panel will use the information provided by the applicant’s NHS Jobs application form or CV to agree which applicants will be invited to a stakeholder panel discussion and formal interview. Assessment will be based on merit against the competencies experience, skills and values outlined in the job description and person specification.
• Candidates notified of shortlisting outcome: Week commencing 6th May 2024
• Stakeholder Panel Discussion: Week commencing 13th May 2024
Shortlisted applicants will be expected to participate in a 45 minute stakeholder panel discussion with key stakeholders. Feedback from this discussion will be shared with the selection / formal interview panel.
• Presentation & Formal Interview: 17th May 2024
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation, to be delivered prior to their formal interview, to help the selection panel draw out the competencies, experience, skills, and values. The presentation title / subject area will be provided in your invite to interview email.
Interviews will be 45 mins to 1 hour of open questions from the selection panel. The purpose is to showcase experience and explore applicant’s values / behaviours, motivations, creativity, and ability. Interviews will be held in-person at the Symphony Central Team Office, Barrington House, Watercombe Park, Lynx Trading Estate, Yeovil.
The panel will consist of Kerry White (Managing Director), Mel Iles (Chief Medical Officer SFT), Rob Weaver (Somerset LMC), Kate Fallon (Symphony Board Chair)
Appendix 3 provides the detail on the criteria the questions will apply to. This has been done to support candidate’s preparation for the interview to showcase their best examples.
Find out More
It is recommended that candidates have a preliminary discussion with Kerry White (Managing Director or Dr Berge Balian (Medical Director).
If you would like to arrange an informal discussion about the role prior to applying, via phone call or MS Teams video call, please contact Kerry.white@somersetft.nhs.uk or berge.balian@nhs.net
Appointment specifics:
The selection panels will identify appointable candidates based on merit against the competencies experience, skills and values outlined in the job description and person specification.
The successful candidate is required to meet the Fit and Proper Persons requirements.
Time Commitment: 2- 4 sessions per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Hybrid working between the Central team office in Yeovil (Barrington House, Watercombe Park, Lynx Trading Estate) and home including regular travel to practice locations in Somerset.
Pay & Terms: Symphony General Practitioner terms and conditions of employment and competitive remuneration package. 6 weeks annual leave (full time equivalent), study leave, sick pay aligned to the BMA recommended entitlements
Attachments for this job advert
Appendix 1 - Job Description.pdf
