Clinical Auditor Work Capability Assessment
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 1st December 2024
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Minimum: Inner London - £48,468 Maximum - £49,906
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About the job
Job summary
Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions, it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the UK, look no further.
Supporting people who need it most. That’s our purpose. Start your own career today. Find out more and apply here.
DWP is hiring 4 Clinical Auditors, who are experienced in Work Capability Assessments (WCA).
You’ll be joining our Contract Management & Partner Delivery Directorate (CMPD).
We provide audit and assurance for 4 external suppliers who currently manage WCA and PIP Assessments on behalf of DWP.
We audit and uphold the clinical quality of those Assessments, independently and on behalf of DWP.
In simple terms we are DWP’s clinical quality assurance. We ensure that the assessments deliver the policy as intended, and ensures fair outcomes for the most vulnerable people in our society.
When we audit our suppliers, we’re reviewing a number of areas, including, but not limited to:
Have we made appropriate decisions? Is this backed up by Medical Evidence?
Are the medical assessments consistent particularly in respect of quality and clinical accuracy?
Have the DWP’s guidelines been followed accurately?
Why work for DWP as a Clinical Auditor?
You have the autonomy to work in the way you work. Your previous knowledge and clinical experience is highly valued.
We’re a mix of qualified Clinical professionals, who hold professional registration with either the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
You can maintain your registration easily with DWP. You’ll have access to 30 hours mandatory training which all count towards your registration requirement.
We also have an expansive in-house Learning and Development offer which you can take up at your convenience. And your annual registration fees will be reimbursed by DWP.
We have a fantastic culture; our team is genuinely collaborative.
We hold regular clinical case review meetings to discuss cases, sharing clinical knowledge, voice thoughts or concerns about complex cases, to get a collective consensus on the best approach, always ensuring we have a balanced view.
Job description
You’ll conduct clinical audits of WCA assessment reports produced by the Department’s contracted health suppliers, highlighting areas for amendment and improvement.
You will support the DWP Clinical Observation Programme, carrying out ‘real time’ observations of health assessments.
You will communicate information and intelligence about assessment quality back to the DWP and contracted health suppliers to help understand and address any issues and to share good practice.
You’ll help development Health Professional capability within DWP and its contracted health suppliers to the highest benchmark standards.
You will support DWP on elements of strategic and transformative change that impact the team and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
You will build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders working across organisational boundaries, including contracted health suppliers.
You’ll enjoy a programme of personal and professional development, to meet professional requirements for revalidation and including adherence to the DWP Clinical Governance Strategy.
You’ll provide support and knowledge across other area’s as required to help drive quality assessments now and in the future.
Person specification
Key Criteria:
What skills and experience do I need to apply?
Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Lead Criterion – Proven experience as a trained Work Capability Assessment (WCA) auditor utilising their robust and up to date knowledge of WCA assessment criteria (as appropriate) to objectively and accurately critique a range of relevant WCA assessment reports covering a broad variety of relevant health conditions, providing clear and unambiguous feedback where necessary.
- Ability to evidence sound clinical judgement in potentially difficult situations using excellent written and/or verbal communication and feedback skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to secure agreement.
- The ability to work flexibly and adapt to change, whilst meeting deadlines.
- A self-starter who can work independently to get buy-in and agreement to achieve common goals across a wide range of organisations and individuals.
These are full-time posts, but applications are also welcome from those with alternative working patterns. Working patterns will be discussed on an individual basis, but successful candidates may need to be flexible or be prepared to consider alternative working patterns where required to meet with Finance Groups operating hours from 8am to 6pm.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home.
This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.
These posts may involve some travel and occasional overnight stays.
Licences
Memberships
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Candidates will be asked to present an WCA Audit details of which will be provided at interview.
Benefits
We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
Find out more about working for DWP DWP recruitment video (link is external)
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Stage 1: Application
Your application will consist of two parts:
1. The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Job site and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement.
2. Personal Statement up to a maximum 1250 words. When giving details in your Personal Statement you should highlight your experience in line with essential criteria listed in the Person Specification.
The sift panel will use the information in your personal statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the essential criteria listed.
Important Information
- Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
- You will be unable to submit your application if you do not possess the following:
A qualified occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic or doctor and fully registered with the relevant regulatory body (doctors must have a license to practice)
Full registration (GMC, NMC, HCPC or EEA equivalent) with no sanctions attached to your registration (unless they relate to disability).
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead criteria:
Proven experience as a trained Work Capability Assessment (WCA) auditor utilising their robust and up to date knowledge of WCA assessment criteria (as appropriate) to objectively and accurately critique a range of relevant WCA assessment reports covering a broad variety of relevant health conditions, providing clear and unambiguous feedback where necessary.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.
Interview:
Applicants meeting the agreed minimum standard will be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams, there you will be assessed against the experiences listed in the essential criteria.
Candidates invited to interview will also be asked to undertake a 10-minute presentation covering aspects of the required Technical Skills for which the detail and preparation time will be given on the date of the interview.
Sift dates: expected from week commencing 2nd December.
Interview dates: to be confirmed but expected toward the end of January 2025.
Postings:
You will be asked for your preferences for up to 3 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location.
Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here.
Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer, DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list if one is being held.
The roles available will be based in:
- Birmingham 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX
- Blackpool Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES
- London – Caxton House, 6-12 Tothill Street, London, SW1V 9NA.
- Leeds – Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7UA.
- Manchester – 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA.
- Newcastle – Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA.
- Sheffield – Hartshead Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2FD.
- Glasgow - Atlantic Quay, Glasgow G2 8SP
- Treforest, Ty Taff, Main Avenue, Treforest CF37 5YN ( for jobs located in Wales the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.)
Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service and Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:Contact Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : CMPD Resourcing and Recruitment Team
- Email : fg.cmpdresourcingandrecruitment@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
