Data Protection Officer

Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust; St Asaph; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust seeks a Data Protection Officer to lead information governance, ensuring GDPR compliance and acting as the expert on data protection matters.

The role provides strategic guidance on information governance across clinical and corporate services, with autonomy and leadership in the area. Welsh language skills are desirable and travel within Wales is expected.

Qualifications

• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience in health informatics.
• Recognised information governance or data protection qualification.
• In-depth knowledge of information governance, informatics, IT and security.
• Knowledge of NHS Information Governance agenda and laws.
• Familiarity with confidentiality, Caldicott and NHS codes of practice.
• Specialist knowledge of information security (ISO27001).
• Specialist knowledge of records management and governance issues.
• Awareness of equality agenda and equality impact assessments.
• Experience with NHS Data Protection and FOI where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice to the SIRO and Caldicott Guardian on governance.
• Lead in internal and external IG projects to ensure compliance.
• Represent the Trust in NHS Wales forums on information governance.
• Attend local, regional and national health forums for IG delivery.
• Liaise with the Information Commissioner’s Office on appeals and reviews.
• Analyse information use for statutory compliance and risk assessments.
• Develop auditable structures for data protection management.
• Recruit and line-manage the Information Governance Team; CPD and performance.

Skills

Problem-solving

Management skills

Planning and organising

Communication and presentation

Keyboard skills

Excellence and innovation

Leadership by example

Credibility and interpersonal trust

Target-driven and results focus

Customer focus

Education

Masters level qualification

IG/related qualification

Information governance knowledge

NHS information governance knowledge

Job description

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close a vacancy prior to the closing date if a high number of applications have been received. If you are successful and short listed for interview you will be contacted by email using the address with which you registered. Therefore, please ensure you check your email account regularly

All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English

Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.

Job overview

The Data Protection Officer (DPO) will be the Trust’s subject matter expert on all aspects of data protection. They will be the recognised Trust authority and advisor on data protection matters, acting in the interest of the data subject. They will ensure Trust compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 and Network & Information Systems Regulations. The post holder will work with autonomy, using their own interpretation of regulations to provide leadership within the Trust on data protection matters in the management and delivery of the Information Governance agenda in support of the Trust’s business and service objectives.

As an expert in this field, the Data Protection Officer is responsible for driving the strategic development of Information Governance across complex areas of clinical and corporate services.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Main duties of the job

Providing specialist expert advice to the SIRO, Caldicott Guardian to ensure that the Trust operates within legal and ethical frameworks. Act as the Trust representative in NHS Wales forums on Data Protection and Information Governance. Lead in relevant internal and external working groups/projects, services and initiatives to provide expert advice on information governance and data protection. Attend local, regional and national forums within the Health community to ensure the delivery of Information Governance across all organisations. Liaise directly with the Information Commissioner’s Office on appeals, complaints and reviews submitted to them by members of the public.

To analyse how internal and external stakeholders are utilising information to judge compliance to statutory data protection and information governance regulations. To undertake Information Risk Assessment, monitor Information Security incident forms, investigate, and resolve complex breaches in security and confidentiality identifying areas of improvement and develop appropriate reports. Develop and support an auditable structure and systems for Data Protection management within the Trust.

Recruitment and line management of the Information Governance Team including encouragement of CPD, managing attendance at work, managing grievances and disciplinary hearings, appraisals and performance.

Working for our organisation

Our workforce is made up of over 4,000 remarkable people who contribute to the delivery of world-class patient care across Wales, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whether you work in a patient-facing role or within our range of support services, the work that you do enables us to provide high quality care, wherever and whenever we’re needed.

The Trust recognises the need for its workforce to represent the diversity of the population it serves across the whole of Wales and seeks to create an environment where diversity is celebrated and inclusivity matters. We are also keen to break down any barriers into the Trust, and would encourage applications from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ communities and disability groups.

Careers within the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust are diverse and varied, with opportunities arising right across the service. Whatever your skills and background, you’re sure to find a career with us which is fulfilling, challenging, and rewarding.

In line with the Trust’s Starting Salary Procedure, all applicants will start at the bottom of the band for the position applied for, but can apply for a higher salary if they have previous experience relevant to the position.

Qualifications and Knowledge

• 1. Educated to Masters level in an information related Qualification/Industrial Certification or relevant experience in a health informatics work environment.
• 2. Recognised Information Governance or related qualification e.g. Data Protection, IT Security
• 3. In-depth knowledge of information governance/informatics/IT/Security arena gained through degree level qualification or professional experience.
• 4. Knowledge of the NHS Information Governance agenda, Data Protection, Freedom of Information and other relevant legislation.
• 5. Knowledge of standards, guidelines and NHS Codes of Practice to support compliance with Confidentiality and Caldicott.
• 6. Specialist knowledge of Information Security (inc ISO27001) principles and practices.
• 7. Specialist knowledge of operational records management issues
• 8. Knowledge of the Equality agenda and equality impact assessments

Experience

• 1. Experience at senior level of working with the Information Governance agenda in the NHS, Social Care or other large organisation.
• 2. Experience of managing and developing staff
• 3. Experience of establishing excellent working relationships with all levels of staff
• 4. Experience in the development and delivery of training materials

Skills and Attributes

• 1. Excellent problem-solving skills. Able use effectively and select appropriately from applicable methods, procedures and standards.
• 2. Proven management skills, including the ability lead, empower and motivate others.
• 3. Well-developed planning and organising skills and the ability work under pressure meet deadlines.
• 4. Highly developed communication and presentation skills.
• 5. Standard Keyboard Skills
• 6. Displays a passion for excellence and the role information governance can play in improving patient services and the effective development of the organisation; is innovative and creative
• 7. Inspires others and leads by example; able make calm rational decisions in the face of adversity. Resourceful.
• 8. Personal credibility, with the ability quickly gain the confidence of others.
• 9. Achievement focused; able to set targets and gets things done to achieve continuous improvement.
• 10. Customer focused, with a commitment delivering high quality services.
• 1. Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh
• 2. Ability to travel within geographical area.
• 3. Able to work hours flexibly.
• 4. Satisfactory Standard/Enhanced DBS clearance including an/a Adults and Childrens Barred List check

The Trust actively seeks to recruit and appoint people currently under represented in the workforce. This includes women, people with disabilities, LGBT, and those from minority ethnic groups. All staff are encouraged and supported to learn Welsh. Please be sure to provide full contact details for all referees, including email addresses where possible. Failure to do so may result in significant delays in your application.

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa , unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK . If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.