Contract Engagement Specialist

Background

The NTPF is a corporate body with functions and responsibilities as set out under Statutory Instrument 179 - National Treatment Purchase Fund (Establishment) Order, 2004 and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009).

Its key functions are:

• Arranging for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister.
• Collecting, collating and validating information on persons waiting for public hospital treatment.
• Agreeing pricing arrangements with private & voluntary nursing homes under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
• Furnishing advice to the Minister for Health on related issues.
• Performing any other function assigned by the Minister for Health, since July 2012 this includes responsibility for the publication of Public Hospital waiting lists.

In carrying out its functions, the NTPF works closely with the Department of Health, the HSE, acute public hospitals and private nursing homes across the health system.

The Nursing Home Support Scheme Directorate

The NTPF negotiates with proprietors of private and voluntary registered nursing homes (on behalf of the State) to reach agreement in relation to the maximum price(s) that will be charged for the provision of long-term residential care services to Nursing Home Support Scheme residents as set out in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009) commonly known as Fair Deal. As part of this function, the NTPF enters into "Approved Nursing Home Agreements" with registered private and voluntary nursing homes (circa 425) to record the maximum price(s) negotiated.

The Role

The role of Contract Engagement Specialist is as follows:

To administer the nursing home support schemes allocated to the NTPF by the Department of Health and to support the Contract Management Team with contract management tasks as designed by Head of Department/Line Manager.

The Current Priorities for the Contract Engagement Specialist are as follows:

• Managing the REE scheme (EUR10m) and/or other schemes including but not limited to the review of application forms from nursing homes, management of scheme application forms and dealing with the HSE in relation to the processing of invoices.
• Acting in the capacity of assistant contract manager, during busy periods this will require site visits to nursing homes to support contract managers and head of department.
• Conducting checks on application forms and supporting Regional/Contract Manager with the financial analysis process.
• Issuing queries and responses to nursing homes with the Support of Contract Manager/Regional Manager.
• Supporting the Business Management Team with process improvement initiatives and automation of processes within the team working with the IT team to identify areas for transformation.
• Setting up and monitoring of negotiation tracker to ensure negotiations are on track for closure within contract expiry month.
• Ownership of NTPF Correspondence registers with support from the wider Business Support team.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities, delivering to tight deadlines through the consideration of risk importance and level of urgency.
• Supporting with monthly reports, tracking and reporting on KPI’s
• Other administration tasks as and when required.
• Flexibility to support NHSS deliverables and demands as required.
• May be required to act in the capacity of line manager from time to time.
• Demonstrating good communication skills and working well with internal and external stakeholders.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to this position are based on the current requirements of the NTPF. These requirements may change in line with changes in the roles, objectives or business requirements of the organisation.