Health Economist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Health Economist to join our growing team at Health Technology Wales (HTW).

HTW is funded by Welsh Government and hosted by Velindre NHS Trust. The purpose of HTW is to identify, appraise, promote, enable and measure the adoption of health technologies across NHS Wales, linking into national agendas for innovation and prudent healthcare. HTW appraise the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of non-medicine health technologies in Wales, working with, but independently, of NHS Wales. HTW is looking to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced Health Economist on a permanent basis. This is an excellent opportunity to assist the development of medical technology guidance. This will involve providing health economic analyses and cost effectiveness modelling to support the work programme of Health Technology Wales (HTW) and its Research Team.

This position is a perfect opportunity for someone who is looking to develop their skills in a varied and interesting role.

This is a hybrid working position which is predominantly home-based with the benefit of an office base in Cardiff. Flexible working, part time or job share arrangements will be considered.

Main duties of the job

This role sits at the heart of HTW’s small but experienced Health Economists Team, and the role is to provide health economic analyses and cost effectiveness modelling to support the work programme of Health Technology Wales (HTW) and its Research Team. The post holder will apply a range of economic evaluation and resource impact techniques to support the HTW technology assessment groups. These analyses must be robust and able to withstand international scientific and legal challenge. Within NHS Wales, expenditure on medicine and non-medicine technologies is significant; estimated to be in excess of £1B per annum. This post is responsible for delivering health economic assessments and related advice on the cost effectiveness of health technologies for NHS Wales. Annual work programme of HTW includes: 50 exploratory reports, 20 Evidence Appraisal Reports (EAR) and 1-2 HTAs/systematic reviews with associated Decision Makers’ Summaries (DMS) outlining advice for NHS Wales.  In addition, health economic input to other HTW products may be required. This post demands a diverse range of communication methods, including well-developed written and oral skills. Sensitivity to the barriers to understanding and communication of complex concepts is required. Further, the ability to exhibit tact, diplomacy and influence when dealing with confidential material and sensitive and contentious issues is required.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.

The post holder is required to develop and maintain effective internal communication and productive working relationships, to ensure effective cross-functional and team working. This may involve delegation and supervision of administrative duties associated with projects to relevant support staff.

The post holder will establish and maintain productive engagement with a range of external contacts including senior staff from the NHSWales, Procurement, the Welsh Government and academic staff in universities across the UK.

The post holder provides and receives highly complex information (scientific, clinical, financial) in various formats that they are required to assimilate and effectively communicate to groups with often little or no knowledge of economics or HTA.

The post holder will be required to use a range of presentation skills to present methodology and evidence review findings and related advice to various audiences and prepare responses to technical questions.

Internally, the post holder will be required to communicate with: the HTW Director, the HTW Research Team, professional in other national and international HTW agencies e.g. NICE, SHTG and other staff contributing to HTA/evidence review products, e.g. information officers, health services researchers, pharmacists, communications team, statisticians, medical writers. In addition, regular communication with project and administrative staff will also be required.

Externally, the post holder will be required to communicate with: technology groups members, expert contacts, e.g. clinical experts, planners, policy makers, HTA topic group members; Welsh Government Health and Social Care Directorates, NHS boards, external clinical, scientific and manufacturer representatives,   university based academic staff, charities, and voluntary agencies.