Job Description

Summary of roles and responsibilities

The Chief Terminologist is an Executive Officer of the International Health Terminology
Standards Development Organisation (IHTSDO, the “Association”), filling the role of Chief
Terminology Officer as set out in the IHTSDO Articles of Association

The Chief Terminologist makes a vital contribution tthe work of the IHTSDO and thus,
by extension, the advancement of healthcare around the world. Working in a collegial and
collaborative manner with the other Executive Officers, the Chief Terminologist provides
leadership in the development and continuous improvement of the content of SNOMED
CT1 and its related standards in a way that is consistent with the aims of the Association.
This includes having SNOMED CT be the information standard underpinning the international
interoperability and conformance of patient care delivered by IT enabled healthcare
systems. The Association is to operate under governance processes that will ensure that
uptake, collaboration, alignment and the capacity for appropriate localisation are actively
supported. As Chief Terminologist of the Association, the position is both subject to and
will uphold:

• The Articles of Association and Regulations that arise from them, and


• Management Board policies, procedures, directions and guidelines.

Key result areas

The Chief Terminologist, working as appropriate in consultation with others within and
outside IHTSDO, is responsible for:

• Developing strategies for continuously improving the content of SNOMED CT and
  its related standards, with a special focus on users and implementation of the terminology,
  in consultation with the Content Committee and other IHTSDO bodies
  and staff


• Facilitating the development and execution of an annual programme of work to
  implement the these strategies, working with the Content Committee, support organization(
  s), and other IHTSDO bodies and staff, as well as internationally distributed
  volunteer contributors


• Identifying and assessing important terminology challenges likely to emerge in the
  3-5 year timeframe, as well as testing options for addressing priority issues


• Attending IHTSDO Content Committee and Research and Innovation Committee
  meetings to provide leadership, support, and advice as required


• Attending Association Management Board meetings to provide support and advice
  as required


• Liaising with the IHTSDO Community of Practice, other partners, and relevant external
  organizations to solicit input on, and promote awareness of, terminologies
  maintained by IHTSDO


• Drawing attention to and reporting on all relevant issues to the Chief Executive Officer
  and the IHTSDO Content Committee


• Promoting, marketing, support building and advancement of the International
  Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation

Accountability

The Chief Terminologist reports to the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.

Working relationships

The Chief Terminologist will develop and maintain:

• a close working relationship with the Content Committee and all Executive Officers
  of the Association


• a Liaison role on behalf of the Association with any of the Association’s Support
  Organisations on terminology/content-related matters


• Effective networks and relationships with other relevant parties focused on health
  terminology or related areas of health informatics and/or information technology.

Person Specification

The Chief Terminologist will have the following attributes:

• Terminological - A minimum of five years recent experience at a senior level demonstrating
  a strong level of knowledge of and/or experience in terminology maintenance
  and production processes


• Quality-Focus – A commitment to, and demonstrated ability to contribute to, the
  continuous improvement of SNOMED CT’s content and usability


• Standards: A good level of knowledge or experience in international standards development
  and approval processes.


• Leadership & facilitation – Recent documented evidence of the ability to take a
  positive leadership role, including the ability to bring together diverse groups and
  opinions to agree on coherent solutions


• at national and international meetings/workshops/seminars/conferences


• among delegates and individuals drawn from diverse interest groups


• related to both technical and non-technical issues




• Personal suitability – Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural, and communications
  skills with the ability to demonstrate good personal impact, drive, enthusiasm, and
  commitment. Ability to work independently. Demonstrated initiative.


• Project management – Knowledge of, and experience with, Project Management
  methodologies


• Academic – Documentary evidence of appropriate tertiary qualifications in a relevant
  field


• Language - Ability to communicate effectively in English (IHTSDO’s business language)
  is essential, both verbally and in written form. Working ability in other languages
  desirable but not required.


• Flexibility: Willingness to participate in the work processes of a dispersed international
  organization, including conference calls scheduled to accommodate global
  time zones and periodic international travel is essential.