Vacancy -- SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER, PRIMARY HEALTHCARE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT – DIRECTORATE OF PRIMARY CARE AND HEALTH SCIENCE
Recruitment Principles
Vacancy Details
Closing Date
Purpose of Post
The Department for Health and Social Services also has a unique role within the Welsh Government in that it is responsible for exercising strategic leadership and management of the NHS in Wales as well as providing support to the Minister for Health and Social services and the democratic processes of the National Assembly for Wales. It achieves this via 7 Local Health Boards and 3 NHS Trusts which are directly accountable to the Minister for Health and Social Services through the Chief Executive of NHS Wales and Director General.
The post reports to the Director for Primary Care and Health Science with a strong link to the Chief Medical Officer. Primary Care Division is responsible for the development and implementation of policies in relation to general medical services; dentistry; pharmacy, prescribing and access to new medicines; optometry and ophthalmology and audiology; diagnostics and therapies. The division also leads on the Reform Programme for the contracts used to commission primary care services from independent practitioners. There is a strong link to the Population Healthcare Division which leads on healthcare quality and patient safety, major clinical pathways improvements, value based healthcare, the national clinical audit programme and children’s, women’s and older people’s health care.
It is a busy and varied division and the wide range of policy areas aimed at improving the health outcomes of the people of Wales, increasing the services available in the community so people receive their care closer to home, by the person best placed to provide the care, with integrated pathways to other services. To achieve this requires close partnership working with a large number of senior partners in Welsh Government, in the NHS and with private contractors.
Equality and Diversity
The Welsh Government is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and which promote equality of opportunity. This is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010 and will be adhered to at each stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments are also embedded in our day-to-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners.
We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and increasing diversity in the Welsh Government by removing barriers and supporting all our staff to reach their potential. We are committed to recruiting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and disabled people who are currently under-represented in Welsh Government.
We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, marriage and civil partnership (both same sex and opposite sex), impairment or health condition, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity or gender expression.
We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Disability Confident Level 3 (Leader) organisation. Key to supporting this work and providing peer support are five Board sponsored Staff Networks (Disability Awareness and Support (DAAS); Minority Ethnic Support Network (MESN); Mind Matters (Mental health and well-being); PRISM (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) and Women Together.
Disability Confident
Welsh Government accepts the social definition of disability, in which it is recognised that barriers in society act to disable people who have impairments or health conditions or who use British Sign Language. We are committed to removing barriers so that all (or potential new staff) can perform at their best. The Equality Act 2010 uses the medical definition of disability (“a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term impact on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities”).
We guarantee to interview anyone who is disabled whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that you must provide us with evidence in your application which demonstrates that you generally meet the level of competence for the role and any qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential. We are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people.
If you have an impairment or health condition, or use British Sign Language and need to discuss reasonable adjustments for any part of this recruitment process, or wish to discuss how we will support you if you were to be successful, please email SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales as soon as possible and a member of the team will contact you to discuss your requirements and any questions you may have.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
Welsh Language Requirements
The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace.
The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Social Partnership
In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.
Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
• PCS
• Prospect
• FDA
This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
• pay
• terms and conditions
• policies and procedures
• organisational change.
Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.
The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.
Assessment Process
How to apply
Completed application form, an up to date CV, together with a personal statement of suitability for the post should be submitted by the closing date. All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system. If you have a disability which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail SCSrecruitment@wales.gsi.gov.uk to request an application pack in an alternative format or if you need to request a reasonable adjustment related to a disability in order to submit your application.
To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system. Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account. Registration takes just a few minutes to complete. You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register. Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.
If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.
For further information regarding the Senior Civil Service recruitment process within the Welsh Government, please see the SCS Recruitment Guidance for External Candidates (link). Further guidance on Preparing Your Personal Statement (link) is also available.
When evidencing your suitability for the post, it is recommended that you refer to the Civil Service Competency Framework (link)
Other information about the vacancy
The Recruitment Team via the Welsh Government system will acknowledge your application and when appropriate you will be advised about the outcome of the short list meeting. Candidates who proceed to the next stage of selection will be required to complete on line psychometric tests and a written brief to present to the selection panel on the day of interviews. Both activities will form part of the overall assessment required for this recruitment exercise in addition to the selection panel interview.
Shortlisted candidates will undergo online psychometric tests that will include numerical and verbal reasoning and a discussion with a psychologist. You will receive a link to these on-line tests within 10 working days from the shortlisting meeting. The shortlisting meeting will take place on 24 October 2019.
Please note that if you are a Civil Servant and applying for this vacancy on a lateral basis you will not be required to undergo on line psychometric tests.
As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be given a topic or scenario, on a relevant subject, on the same day as the interviews. You will then be asked to present it to the selection panel – further details will follow. Please note that your presentation is to be delivered without the use of hand-outs or electronic devices, however, you are welcome to use prompt cards.
Interviews are scheduled for 5 December 2019. They will be held in Welsh Government offices, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ. Interviews will last around 45 minutes.
The panel will receive feedback following your psychometric tests before you are interviewed. Your interview will be a competency based interview that will consider how your skills and experience as outlined in your CV and personal statement meet the requirements for this post.
This vacancy is closed to applications.