234914 Associate Quality Improvement Advisor (SNIS)

NHS Lothian; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization based in Edinburgh is hiring Associate Quality Improvement Advisors for full-time positions focused on enhancing patient safety and quality care. Candidates should possess degree-level education, experience in quality improvement, and strong interpersonal skills. This role requires collaboration with clinicians and effective communication to ensure successful implementation of quality initiatives. The organization values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development related to quality and safety improvement.
• Experience in quality improvement training within healthcare.
• Ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative data.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to tangible, sustainable improvements in care safety and outcomes.
• Engage and motivate clinicians to undertake quality improvement initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with staff at all levels.

Skills

Quality improvement methodology

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Job description

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

VACANCY

ASSOCIATE QUALITY IMPROVATION ADVISOR x 2 posts

Salary: Agenda for Change - Band 6

Hours: Full-Time: 37 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term 12 months

Base: Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

Please note the successful candidates will be required to travel to other locations in Lothian to support programmes of work, specific events, training and attend meetings.

Post Detail

NHS Lothian’s Quality Directorate is looking to recruit enthusiastic, self‑motivated individuals with experience of leading improvement as Associate Quality Improvement Advisors. These roles will contribute to tangible, sustainable improvement in safety, experience, and outcomes of care, using quality improvement methodology.

Applicants will demonstrate an interest and experience in quality improvement and patient safety. The ability to communicate effectively to gain positive engagement with clinicians and the use of data for improvement will be central to this role.

The Associate Quality Improvement Advisor role is ideal for someone who is:

• Passionate about supporting safe, effective, person‑centred care within NHS Lothian.
• Able to influence, persuade, coach and motivate individuals and teams to undertake quality improvement that brings about change
• Clear and logical with sound critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, demonstrating accuracy and attention to detail
• Flexible in their approach to work, who can work on their own initiative and within and across teams
• Good at establishing and maintaining a rapport and communicating effectively and appropriately with staff at all levels
• Enthusiastic and self‑motivated

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent level of experience with evidence of continuing professional development, particularly in relation to quality and safety improvement and assurance in a healthcare setting.
• Evidence of having undertaken quality improvement training and experience in quality improvement within healthcare
• Expertise in analysing complex qualitative and quantitative data and producing high quality reports and
• Experience in change management with the ability to engage, motivate, challenge and influence others to achieve change and embed a safety and improvement culture
• Project Management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

The successful candidate must have well developed interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively and appropriately with staff at all levels within the organisation. A flexible approach to work and an ability to work well within a small team is also essential.

The closing date for application forms is Monday 12 January 2026 with proposed date for interviews on January 28th/29th 2026 at Royal Infirmary Edinburgh site.

For any informal enquiries and questions on the role, please contact Alison Redpath () or Lesley Morrow () from wk/c 5th January 2026.

Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third‑party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.

Join us in making a lasting impact on the quality of care in NHS Lothian!

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long‑term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.