Regulatory Support Officer

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role within the relevant business unit and for HIQA as a whole:

The Regulatory Support Officer will work with the Inspectors, and Regional Manager and Deputy Chief Inspector / Head of Programme to support the regulation of designated centers on a regional and national level as required.

The Regulatory Support Officer is authorised in accordance with the Health Act 2007, as amended, to participate in specific aspects of the regulation of older persons services, centres for adults and children with disabilities, healthcare or children services.

The Regulatory Support Officer will support the team in:

• Reviewing and collating data and information.

• Gathering and presenting information in accessible format to support the achievement of business plan objectives.

• Carrying out specific regulatory functions in line with their authorisation and scheme of determination.

• Participating in and contributing to quality improvement initiatives within the team and organisation.

Behavioural Expectations

The way that HIQA people are expected to work to role model HIQA values:

The incumbent of this role is expected to demonstrate HIQA’s values in the delivery of everyday work and interactions with clients and colleagues, by putting people first, being fair and objective, being open and accountable, demonstrating excellence and innovation, and working together.

Common TasksTeam Member

• Seek clarity on the tasks associated with own role.

• Complete tasks in compliance with policies and procedures.

• Adhere to relevant legislation, standards, and internal audits.

• Fulfil any mandatory or professional competency requirements.

• Maintain confidentiality and a professional approach.

• Raise any concerns in relation to workplace health and safety.

• Actively identify learning needs and development opportunities.

• Actively contribute as a team member.

• Follow direction and take on new and different tasks.

• Set and achieve performance goals that contribute to HIQA strategy.

• Regularly seek feedback to meet performance expectations and goals.

ManagerTeam Management

• Set clear strategic direction and action plans for direct reports.

• Build team cohesion and cultivate an engaged, productive environment.

• Undertake regular coaching, performance feedback, and development conversations with direct reports.

• Ensure direct reports access appropriate training and development.

• Plan for and manage recruitment activity and vacant roles.

• Manage staff retention and attrition effectively.

Operational Management

• Contribute to business planning and knowledge management.

• Forecast and manage resources in line with available budget.

• Ensure that policies and procedures in area are current and adhered to.

• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety standards.

• Meet audit requirements and ensure legislative compliance.

• Report on performance and relevant business measures as required.

• Identify risks, and develop contingency plans where necessary.

• Identify inefficiencies and implement improvements to work practices.

Role Specific Tasks

The key tasks and activities associated with the role:

The nature of the tasks and activities associated with the role will vary accordingly. It will involve:

• Gather evidence in key areas of practice to inform the judgement of the Chief Inspector and the Regulation / Social Services’ Directorate regarding service providers’ compliance with regulations and/or standards.

• Assist with the writing of relevant documents including minutes of meetings as part of the regulatory function.

• Assist in the gathering, review, and analysis of data and information to support judgements and demonstrate evidence of compliance with Business Plan Objectives.

• Present information in a coherent and accessible format.

• Engage with service users, representatives, and other stakeholders to elicit their views and experiences of services as directed, as part of the evidence gathering process.

• Contribute to regulatory decisions / actions that are consistent with the information collected and in line with policies and procedures.

• Assist with receipt, analysis, and risk assessment of solicited and unsolicited information.

• Gather, collate, and present business performance information related to inspection and monitoring activity to demonstrate adherence to business objectives.

• Comply with all internal audit requirements and standards.

• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the Office of the Chief Inspector and HIQA and provide support to work colleagues as required.

• The successful candidate will be required to undergo Garda Vetting.

• Be required to travel for the purpose of assisting and participating in monitoring, inspection, or regulatory activities. This may also include occasional overnight stays having regard to business needs. Due to the nature of this role, out of hours work will be required from time to time.

The contents of any role description are not exhaustive and are intended to be indicative of the scope of the role.

QualificationsEssential Qualifications

In determining your eligibility, the following are the essential qualifications that will be assessed as part of the shortlisting stage of the selection process:

• Relevant qualification (Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in public administration, public health, social policy, health and social care, or regulatory professions;

or

• Professional qualification in a specified health or social care professional discipline; and

• Full and current driving licence and access to your own transport.

Desirable Qualifications

• N/A

ExperienceEssential Experience

In determining your eligibility, the following are the essential knowledge and experience that will be assessed as part of the shortlisting stage of the selection process:

• An awareness of the legislative framework within which the Office of the Chief Inspector and HIQA work.

• Demonstrate excellence in collating and presenting data in report/minute format to include quality assurance and editing skills and showcase an ability to present information in a confident, logical, and convincing manner.

• Excellent IT skills including use of information management systems, MS Office, and email.

• Be able to gather, analyse, and present business intelligence in a meaningful way that supports the objectives of the team.

• A strong knowledge of working within Quality Management Systems.

• An understanding of working with and applying risk management frameworks to complex information.

• Experience of sourcing, analysing, and evaluating information for applicability and relevance, and to identify significant trends to inform decision making.

Desirable Experience

• An understanding of health and social care, and previous work experience from which you can demonstrate the required competencies for the role.

• A knowledge of the role of the Chief Inspector of Social Services and HIQA’s stakeholder environment.

Principal Conditions of ServiceProbation

A probationary period of six months applies to this position.

Pay

Candidates will be appointed on the minimum point of the salary scale (€39,474) and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines. The rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation.

The incremental progression for this scale is in line with Government pay policy. The salary scale for this position is as follows:

Engineer Grade III (PPC) €39,474 €41,996 €42,670 €46,036 €49,413 €52,824 €56,392 €58,645 €60,908 €63,191 €65,460 €67,736 €70,011 €72,279 €74,567 €77,094¹ €79,618²

After 3 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum.

After 6 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum.

Entry will be at the first point of the scale. An exception may occur where an appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale. In this case, the appointment may be assimilated to the nearest point of the advertised salary scale with their incremental date adjusted accordingly.

Please note the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Superannuation

Pensionable public servants (new joiners) recruited on or after 1 January 2013 will be members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Please note that the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies to all pensionable first-time entrants to the public service, as well as to former public servants returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks. In certain circumstances, for example, where the public servant was on secondment or approved leave or remains on the same contract of employment, the 26-week rule does not apply.

The legislation giving effect to the Scheme is the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.

For those who are not subject to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (e.g., those transferring from other public service employment where the break in service, if any, is less than 26 weeks), the terms of the Health Information and Quality Authority Superannuation Scheme will apply.

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days, rising to 29 days after 5 years’ service.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 35 per week. The appointee may be required to work additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his or her duties, subject to the limits set down under working time regulations.

Blended Working Arrangements

HIQA has introduced blended working to offer more flexible working arrangements to all employees. We aim to strike a balance between being flexible, efficient, and resilient by facilitating blended working where practical, while enabling onsite interaction, collaboration, and support as required.

All roles in HIQA have been assessed under the criteria of business needs and role suitability for blended working. This determined the proportion of time that employees will spend working in HIQA offices and working from home, depending on their role.

Depending on the role, there may be a requirement to attend the office for more than the allocated number of days for training and on-boarding purposes at the start of your employment and during the probation period.

A review of our blended working model confirmed that this model is working well in HIQA; therefore, we are now moving from Interim Blended Working to a long-term Blended Working Model. Our existing policy and documentation will be revised and updated once the framework for the Work-Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act is published. Our model is in line with the Civil Service Framework for Blended Working in Ireland.

Further guidance on HIQA’s Blended Working Policy, which includes eligibility criteria, will be issued to successful candidates. This is an opt-in policy and details on how you can apply will be issued to you before you start.