Emergency Department Validator

NHS; Northampton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is recruiting for an Emergency Department Data Quality and Performance Lead responsible for ensuring the accuracy and quality of ED performance data in line with ECDS standards, NHS England reporting requirements and Trust policies.

You will lead data validation, quality assurance, statutory reporting, and develop dashboards to support decision-making while working with clinical, operational and digital teams.

Qualifications

• Lead validation of ED activity data to ensure compliance with ECDS and NHS standards.
• Review and validate patient records, attendance outcomes and activity data.
• Develop, implement and maintain validation processes to improve data quality.
• Identify data quality risks and reporting issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide assurance for data used in performance reporting and submissions.

Responsibilities

• Analyse complex patient records and information from multiple systems to establish accurate patient pathways and outcomes.
• Investigate data quality concerns, performance breaches and reporting anomalies.
• Interpret national guidance, ECDS definitions and local validation standards for complex cases.
• Produce analytical reports, investigations and recommendations to support service improvement.
• Lead root-cause analysis of recurring data quality issues and oversee corrective actions.
• Lead production and validation of ED performance reports, including ECDS submissions and SITREPs.
• Develop dashboards, exception reports and performance intelligence tools.
• Monitor performance trends and provide expert analysis for decision-making.
• Lead audits relating to data quality and reporting.

Skills

Data quality

Validation

Analytics

Reporting

Governance

Audits

Excel

Education

GCSEs including Maths and English

NVQ level 3 in Business Administration, Information Management, Health Records, or equivalent experience

Evidence of continued professional development

Qualification in data analysis, information management, or healthcare administration

Job description

Site University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Town Northampton Salary £28,392 - £31,157 per annum / pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 22/09/2026 23:59

Job overview

The Emergency Department Data Quality and Performance Lead is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity and quality of Emergency Department (ED) performance data, in line with Emergency Care Data Set (ECDS) standards, NHS England reporting requirements, and Trust policies. Acting as the Trust's specialist lead for ED validation and performance assurance, the post holder will analyse complex patient records, validate activity data, investigate reporting discrepancies, and provide expert guidance on data quality and performance management.

The role involves leading data validation and quality assurance processes, overseeing statutory reporting submissions, producing performance intelligence and assurance reports, and identifying opportunities for service improvement. Working closely with clinical, operational and digital teams, the post holder will drive data quality improvement initiatives, ensure compliance with governance and information standards, and support informed decision-making through accurate and reliable performance reporting.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the post holder will be accountable for the interpretation of national guidance, the governance of validation processes, and the quality of information used to support operational, divisional and organisational performance across Emergency Care services.

Main duties of the job

Validate and quality assure Emergency Department (ED) activity data, ensuring compliance with ECDS, NHS England standards and Trust requirements.

Review patient records and performance data to ensure accurate recording of attendance outcomes, clinical timestamps and patient pathways.

Investigate data quality issues, performance breaches and reporting anomalies, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.

Produce, validate and analyse ED performance reports, including ECDS submissions, SITREP returns and management information.

Develop and implement data quality improvement initiatives to enhance data accuracy, compliance, and reporting standards.

Provide expert advice and training on ED data quality, validation processes, and ECDS requirements.

Develop dashboards, performance reports and analytical insights to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Ensure compliance with Information Governance, GDPR, NHS data standards and Trust policies.

Lead audits relating to data quality and performance reporting, maintaining accurate audit trails and documentation.

Work collaboratively with clinical, operational and digital teams to improve recording practices, data quality and Emergency Department performance.

Act as the Trust's lead specialist for ED validation and performance assurance, exercising professional judgement and working autonomously to support organisational reporting and decision-making.

Working for our organisation

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Data Validation and Quality Assurance

• Lead the validation of Emergency Department (ED) activity data to ensure compliance with Emergency Care Data Set (ECDS) standards, NHS England reporting requirements and Trust policies.
• Review and validate patient records, attendance outcomes, clinical timestamps and activity data to ensure accuracy, consistency and completeness.
• Develop, implement and maintain validation processes, controls and procedures to improve data quality and reporting accuracy.
• Identify, assess and elevate data quality risks, discrepancies and reporting issues as appropriate.
• Provide assurance regarding the integrity of data used for performance reporting, statutory submissions and operational decision-making.

Record Review and Investigation

• Analyse complex patient records and information from multiple systems to establish accurate patient pathways and outcomes.
• Investigate data quality concerns, performance breaches, reporting anomalies and disputed records.
• Interpret and apply national guidance, ECDS definitions and local validation standards to complex and non-routine cases.
• Produce detailed analytical reports, investigations and recommendations to support service improvement and performance management.
• Lead root-cause analysis of recurring data quality and performance issues and oversee corrective actions.

Performance Reporting and Intelligence

• Lead the production, validation and quality assurance of Emergency Department performance reports, including ECDS submissions, SITREP returns and internal reporting requirements.
• Ensure all mandatory submissions are completed accurately and within prescribed deadlines.
• Develop and maintain dashboards, exception reports and performance intelligence tools.
• Monitor performance trends, identify areas of risk and provide expert analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Present performance information, findings and recommendations to senior managers, governance groups and divisional meetings.

Data Quality Improvement

• Lead the development and implementation of data quality improvement strategies across Emergency Care services.
• Identify opportunities to enhance data collection processes, validation methodologies, reporting arrangements and system functionality.
• Review and update standard operating procedures, policies and working practices relating to validation and performance management.
• Lead and support projects relating to ED performance, ECDS compliance, information quality and service development.
• Work collaboratively with clinical, operational and digital teams to improve recording practices and data quality standards.

Training and Specialist Support

• Act as the Trust's subject matter expert for ED data quality, validation processes and ECDS requirements.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to clinical, operational and administrative staff.
• Develop and deliver training programmes relating to ED validation, data quality and performance reporting.
• Support staff development by establishing competency frameworks and promoting best practice in data recording and validation.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with Information Governance, Data Protection legislation, GDPR, NHS data standards and Trust policies.
• Lead audits relating to data quality, validation processes and performance reporting.Prepare assurance reports, action plans and responses to audit findings and identified risks.
• Maintain robust audit trails and documentation for all validation decisions and data amendments.
• Represent the Trust at internal and external meetings relating to Emergency Department performance, validation and data quality.

Professional Accountability

• Work autonomously as the Trust lead for Emergency Department validation and performance assurance.
• Exercise professional judgement when interpreting national guidance, data definitions and performance standards.
• Take responsibility for the quality, accuracy and integrity of information used to support operational, divisional and organisational decision-making.
• Prioritise workload effectively to ensure reporting deadlines, performance requirements and quality standards are consistently achieved.

Person specification

Education, Training and Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including Maths and English –
• NVQ level 3 in Business Administration, Information Management, Health Records, or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Qualification in data analysis, information management, or healthcare administration.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience analysing and validating complex datasets.
• Experience producing reports and performance information for operational or management use.
• Experience investigating data quality issues and resolving discrepancies.
• Experience working to deadlines and managing competing priorities.
• Experience using NHS clinical and administrative systems.
• Knowledge of NHS data quality standards and performance monitoring.
• Knowledge of NHS performance targets
• Experience within an Emergency Department or Urgent Care setting.
• Experience of ECDS data collection and validation.
• Experience supporting operational performance reporting.
• Knowledge of RTT, Emergency Care, and national performance targets.

Skills

• Ability to analyse trends and identify data quality concerns.
• Ability to interpret national and local performance standards and apply them to operational data.
• Ability to produce accurate performance reports and dashboards.
• Strong problem-solving and investigative skills.
• Ability to communicate complex data findings to non-specialist staff.
• Ability to challenge and query data anomalies appropriately.
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, formulas, filtering, data validation).

Key Competencies/Personal Qaulities and Attributes

• Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• Demonstrates initiative and sound judgement within defined procedures.
• Ability to influence and support clinical and operational teams to improve data quality.
• Able to work independently within a structured framework
• Commitment to continuous improvement and service development.
• Able to work in a high-volume, time-pressured environment
• Strong organisational and planning skills.

At Northampton General Hospital we provide general acute services and hyper-acute stroke, vascular and renal services to people living in Northamptonshire. As well as this we are an accredited cancer centre and provide cancer services to a wider population of Northamptonshire and parts of Buckinghamshire.

We are proud to be the first hospital in the UK to have obtained Pathway to Excellence® designated accreditation from the American nurses credentialing centre (ANCC).

We celebrate staff achievements and value the importance of working as one big team. That’s why we talk about Team NGH. It’s all about working together to provide the best possible care for our patients and supporting each other to grow and develop our skills. We are driven to helping you to be the best you can be.

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust recognises that staff of differing backgrounds and life experiences enrich our workforce and bring different skills and knowledge. We therefore encourage and welcome applications for our vacancies from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE VACANCIES PRIOR TO THE ADVERTISED CLOSING DATE WHEN WE ARE IN RECEIPT OF SUFFICIENT APPLICATIONS

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications.

Our Excellence Values:

• Compassion
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courageous
• Accountable