Posted to IASSIST on: 2016-04-14
Employer: The Health Foundation
Employer URL: http://www.health.org.uk/
Description
We are seeking a Data Architect to work as part of a small team of data management specialists that combines skills in statistical programming, information governance and data security.
This team collaborates with a wide range of internal and external partners. Pseudonymised patient-level data are held and processed on the Secure Data Environment (SDE), an in-house IT solution - information governance supporting the day-to-day operation of the SDE is also the responsibility of the data management team. A key part of the data management strategy is the commitment to continuous improvement of data security, both in-house and within the wider health services research community.
The Data Architect will work closely with the statistical leads during the R&D phase of individual evaluations, producing data specifications and modelling files.
Since the Health Data Lab is complex and dynamic work programme, it is essential to be adaptive and to seek to improve approaches to data management over time.
Applicants should have a track record in data manipulation techniques, a thorough understanding of data security and an understanding of statistical methods, and the ability to write for a range of audiences.
Key tasks and responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with Health Data Lab partners, including academic teams, NHS England and the temporary National Repository.
- Quality control incoming data and apply standardised data cleaning where appropriate.
- Maintain metadata and data dictionaries for data sets, managing version control and documentation.
- Create variables required for the Health Data Lab analyses, with agreed variable and value labels.
- Produce data specifications for evaluations and data extracts.
- Work collaboratively with statistical teams to incorporate approaches to statistical analysis within the production environment, ultimately ensuring that these analyses can be replicated within the production environment on a regular basis.
- Promote an open approach to collaboration, working with teams external to the Health Foundation to arrange appropriate access to data.
- Contribute towards the analysis of data sets and the writing of reports and research articles.
- Travel as needed, predominately within the four countries of the United Kingdom.
- Collaborate as part of a multi-organisational team.
Knowledge and experience
- Knowledge and demonstrable practical experience of data manipulation techniques
- An understanding of governance arrangements for administrative data sources in the United Kingdom, and an ability to learn and understand requirements specific to the health sector.
- A thorough understanding of data security.
- Experience of working with various suppliers of information on health and social care, such as the Health and Social Care Information Centre or other NHS organisations.
- Experience of working in data security and data governance.
- An understanding of statistical concepts and data linking methodologies.
- Experience of conducting analyses using large data sets, such as administrative or survey data.
Skills and abilities
- Ability to work in a diverse team and to take account of a wide range of views and opinions when making decisions.
- Time management and prioritisation skills together with an organised and methodical approach to work
- A can-do attitude and resilience.
- Proficient in statistical or data management software to an advanced level, ideally SAS and R.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Corporate approach to the post with a willingness to further the objectives of the Foundation.
- A person who is collegiate with proven ability to work across teams successfully.
- A person who is flexible, respectful of colleagues, and adaptable.
- A person who is open, communicative, and approachable to all staff across the organisation irrespective of role or seniority.
- An understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities and diversity.
Archived on: 2016-04-18