Integration Lead

Job responsibilities

Main Duties

Leadership and management of the EPR Integration workstream, providing efficient, integrated and customer-focused services to all staff, supporting the wider team to ensure that services provided across the group are and continue to be effective, meet the clinical and business needs of the Group, and represent best value for money.

• Configuration of the TIE and support for all interfacing activities. Ensuring secure and effective transmission of mission critical information between clinical and other information systems.
• You will be responsible for the constant review of integration architecture and using your expert knowledge will develop improvement plans and lead on delivery to ensure systems are reliable and resilient, and that robust arrangements for maintenance are in place and regularly reviewed.
• Creation and maintenance of an EPR integration architecture map to manage the various system integration points during the system and upgrade lifecycle, acting as the technical expert for integration.
• Ensure effective service delivery monitoring is in place, with up-to-date dashboards for service reporting purposes.
• Liaise with colleagues (such as the EPR Programme Manager) to enable creativity and innovation around the future provision of integrated solutions in support of the Group Digital Strategy.
• Establish key relationships within the Service Delivery team to enable all incident and service requests to be responded to within the departments SLAs and in line with departmental policy.
• Work with the Trusts Information Security Manager to ensure that Trust EPR systems are compliant with best practice and conform to standards expected in the security section of the Data Security and Protection Provide evidence of effective security controls for the purpose of the annual Data Security and Protection Toolkit Submission to HSCIC.
• Ensure that improvements are planned to maintain systems that are reliable and resilient, and that robust arrangements for maintenance are in place and regularly assessed.
• You will be a key member of the Change Advisory Board (CAB).
• Lead on business cases and support longer term business planning for the implementation and strategic development of electronic patient records and diagnostic systems within the Trust.
• Negotiate with external organisations over service issues where the issue may be highly complex e.g. third-party suppliers, other NHS organisations, to ensure any outstanding issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the Trust.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure effective integration of the clinical applications with other systems with the aim of maximising the efficiency of the clinical workflow overall, and longer-term business planning.
• You will lead on the development and on-going refinement of business continuity and disaster recovery plans in relation to all EPR integration flows supported by the team.
• Champion and role model the Groups values and behaviours and support others in doing so to deliver the Group Vision and Mission successfully.

Integration Improvement And Support

• Modify/develop SQL databases/SSIS packages that are used as part of interfacing processes.
• Promote, champion, and drive the use of ITIL best practices across the Trusts ICT function. Ensure ITIL led processes are developed and embedded within the team processes.
• You will plan and deliver all integration, configuration and build often working with a product manager and the wider business as part UHN wide initiatives, assuming role of technology lead where necessary.
• Use detailed and specialist knowledge of integration and systems to ensure effective management of integration team to maximise clinical and operational benefits from these integrated systems.
• Identify, in conjunction with stakeholders, any clinical risks associated with the use of integrated clinical applications and electronic patient records.
• Manage allocation of resources within the team to meet business and/or clinical needs.
• Provide technical and professional advice regarding all integration activities.

Leadership

• Develop, lead, and support individuals and teams that are highly skilled, effective, engaged and highly motivated.
• Ensure best practice in managing staff is adopted and maintained, including regular performance appraisal, effective two-way communication, and implementation of processes to ensure personnel work in a responsible, safe manner and have due regard for health & safety regulations.
• Proactively and positively contribute to the service leadership team by taking part in appropriate planning & development and providing digital services & solutions leadership.
• Work closely with the Clinical Systems and Digital Transformation and Innovation team on upgrades and policies/procedures.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Group Digital Strategy, in line with Group, Trust and national priorities and initiatives, and leading digital techniques.
• Contribute to the financial performance of the service, including achievement of financial targets, balancing potentially conflicting demands of budgetary requirements and service requirements.
• Deputise for the Integration Manager as necessary and where appropriate
• To act as a mentor to less experienced and junior members of staff across the integration team and to disseminate specialist knowledge as required to the wider support teams. There may also be a requirement to train less experienced members of the department in specialist technical skills and provide training material where applicable.

Technical Service Delivery

• Using your expert knowledge of integration and information flows and the legislative framework that surround their use, you will lead the investigation and resolution of highly complex service issues / faults.
• You will provide a robust support service, ensuring systems are in place to track all incidents in accordance with ITIL good practice.
• You will ensure that all departmental processes adhere to the group 2nd and 3rd line incident and problem management policies and processes, ensuring an effective and timely response is achieved with excellent ongoing communication throughout.
• Coordinate and delegate work and review team staff performance.
• You will assist in ensuring an adequate licencing model is deployed and that effective licencing is in place across the TIE.
• Work with the Trust Integration Engine (TIE) provider and wider Digital team to ensure the TIE runs at optimum performance level to deliver the Trusts requirements and are maintained to a high level so that the environment remains secure, robust and effective.
• Ensure an effective release management strategy is developed and monitor for continuous improvement.
• Ensure the Clinical Safety Management system is followed, and all clinical risks are assessed in conjunction with the Clinical Safety Officer
• Liaise with colleagues to ensure best practice solutions are in place for architectural configuration, security and server infrastructure for the Trust, particularly in relation to diagnostic systems.
• You will use your initiative to plan work to ensure effective service delivery, resolving conflicting timescales and priorities independently and exercise judgement and discretion to resolve issues.
• Ensure that routine maintenance and remedial work is appropriately scheduled and undertaken so that it does not adversely impact the availability of business critical systems.
• Ensure that all integration flows under your responsibility have an appropriate degree of robustness, feedback mechanisms and disaster recovery plans in line with agreed priorities based upon likelihood and impact.

Performance

• Ensure that the TIE and services are maintained and managed to a high standard in order to deliver a highly available service to end users.
• Work with the EPR and downstream system providers, and other Digital colleagues, to ensure the integration flows are right-sizedand have the capacity to cope. Estimate and plan for anticipated growth.
• To produce monthly reports on service availability and trends with a view to identify areas for investment, expansion, and growth.
• Responsible for escalating high and severe risks in line with departmental and Trust Risk Management policies and procedures, ensuring that all documented risks have up to date risk mitigation plans in place.
• Create and monitor performance standards for your service area, including KPIs, monitor achievement against these, review working practices and devise improved ways of working where necessary to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of services delivered.
• `Ensure resources and budgets are managed effectively, you will ensure business benefits are realised from new and existing systems.
• Maintain your skills base in order to have the necessary technical skills and knowledge to cope with the ever-changing technologies and working practices in Digital. . This includes researching and testing new software for integration, database administration, and server support.

Please see job description and person specifications for further details

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Masters or equivalent level, or equivalent experience delivering Digital services
• Formal Integration qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Detailed knowledge of the provision of health services
• Evidence of experience or qualification in one or more of the following SQL / SQL Server HL7 Interfaces Reporting tools (e.g. Business Objects) Windows Server Administration

Desirable

• ITIL Certification or relevant experience or working in an ITIL environment
• Project Management qualification, such as PRINCE II or experience of using structured project methodology

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in building and managing integration delivery functions at a senior level (preferably in an NHS environment)
• Significant professional experience providing support for integration flows and TIE configuration
• Demonstratable working knowledge of effective performance and budgetary management and control including achieving annual targets on a regular basis
• Sufficient knowledge of NHS/Government policies, strategies and organisational relationships in relation to the service area, to be able to advise stakeholders and develop proposals for the service area
• Experience in building, leading, motivating and developing multi-disciplinary teams as effective people manager
• Good knowledge of digital healthcare standards and NHS datasets and their relationship to coding, finance, and commissioning
• Experience of implementing change
• Experience of contributing to the development of policies and procedures
• Demonstrable knowledge of clinical risk management policies and processes
• Experience of developing and executing testing plans
• Excellent systems development skills and technical knowledge across the TIE and clinical systems

Skills

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills suitable for a range of audiences, including chairing of meetings
• Able to clearly manage priorities for self, staff and teams in order to meet targets
• Ability to perform well under pressure and manage unpredictable workload with conflicting priorities
• Quality focused with an innovative approach and ability to solve complex problems
• Have experience of administering and supporting an organisational wide Digital system
• Must have a methodical, disciplined approach to working practices
• Have knowledge of, and be able to communicate effectively on highly complex operational requirements for effective integration management (e.g. performance monitoring etc)
• Must be familiar with hospital environment and the role of EPR and diagnostic systems in the clinical and business operation of the Trust
• Ability to undertake duties effectively and to time in line with legislation, policies and procedures
• High level of proficiency in the use of Digital tools, particularly Microsoft Office. Advanced keyboard skills
• Effective leadership and people management skills
• Ability to critically analyse highly complex data sets

Key Competencies/ Personal Qualities & Attributes

Essential

• Ability to interpret and convey complex information from various systems in a manner that is easily understood by a variety of users
• Must be able to demonstrate analytical thinking and the ability to work through problems to a resolution
• Must be able to demonstrate both formal and informal communication ability, orally and in writing, when dealing with colleagues and other staff at all levels
• Ability to deliver to targets and deadlines
• Aligned to the Group's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage
• Highly motivated, hard-working, self-confident, robust and resilient individual with drive and determination to deliver
• Able to perform confidently in stressful situations
• Honesty and professional integrity
• Commitment to personal development and development of staff
• Can constructively challenge and effectively manage conflict to reach a positive conclusion
• Passionate commitment to embedding diversity and equality internally and externally
• Ability to travel to the Northampton Hospital site and to other sites across the Group

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).