Nursing Home Support Scheme Contract Manager

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 outpatient 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 (NHSS) 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 principal role of the Nursing Home Support Scheme Contract Manager will be to work closely with the Nursing Home Support Scheme team and with the wider Operational and Finance teams to ensure that the role of the NTPF under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act (2009) is fulfilled to the required standard.

Roles and Responsibilities

The current priorities for the Nursing Home Support Scheme Contract Manager are as follows:

• Negotiate pricing and other arrangements with a preassigned cohort of private and voluntary nursing homes participating in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS).
• Manage and develop all processes (analyses, negotiation, administration) related to deed renewals with assigned nursing homes.
• Report to management on the financial and operational analysis of nursing home businesses.
• Support the process and output from NTPF’s role in the NHSS that provides value for money for exchequer funding.
• Conduct in-depth financial analysis on Nursing Home data to support the negotiation and contract management process.
• To develop and maintain information databases of data collected from nursing homes under the NTPF statutory role in the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
• Support line manager with budget management and ongoing monitoring of same.
• To report to management on the activities, outcomes and key issues arising from this role.
• To ensure that the process and output from NTPF’s role provides value for money for exchequer funding and that the activities are carried out with fairness, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Continuously seeking opportunities to streamline processes and enhance efficiencies by identifying areas for improvement and implementing effective change.
• Undertaking other duties as assigned by the Senior Contract Manager or Senior Management of NTPF.

This will typically mean:

• Gaining an understanding of the financial and business operation of each nursing home (i.e. key cost drivers, level of occupancy, current and future cost pressures, and any other information that will inform discussion on maximum prices).
• Engage with nursing home management by way of face-to-face meetings and in writing or online in order to discuss the NTPF pricing criteria and agreed maximum rates as part of the Nursing Home Support Scheme.
• Collaborate closely with fellow Contract Managers and the broader Contract Management team to align nursing home negotiations, sharing insights, strategies, and progress to support cohesive decision-making, while adhering to all protocols and procedures outlined in departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Document engagement with each nursing home through detailed negotiation notes, capturing key discussions and any agreements reached. Preparing written reports of analysis of individual nursing home’s operations when required.
• Attend to all administrative matters arising out of discussions with each nursing home.
• Prepare notification to the NTPF support team to facilitate the drafting of a Deed of Agreement between the NTPF and each nursing home. Providing backup support across the NHSS team to ensure operational continuity during peak periods or staff absences.
• To participate in the development and implementation of information systems with particular reference to nursing homes. Establishing and maintaining key databases of nursing home information.
• Manage and implement best practice in public service values when engaging with nursing homes.
• To carry out duties and responsibilities of a similar grade.

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.