Job responsibilities
JOB
DETAILS
Job
Title: Digital
Pathology Research Systems Lead
Reports
to: Head of Research
Infrastructure
Band: 8a
Unit/Department: Research and Innovation
Location: SJUH
AFC
Number: 3473a
JOB
PURPOSE/SUMMARY
The
National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) programme, a £100m+ initiative
supported by central funding from NHS England, Innovate UK and the Office for
Life Sciences. NPIC has the ambition to provide a national platform to
support pathology services. The post-holder will be responsible for the
management of Information Systems relating to the Research activity of the
NPIC programme.
To
succeed in this role the successful candidate will need substantial
experience in project management and a track record of delivery. The ability
to build successful networks and collaborations across a complex range of
stakeholders, including industry, academia, NHS and patients.
This
role requires an experienced individual who is driven, ambitious and
passionate about improving patient care through the use of cutting-edge
technology. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of service
re-design, policy / procedure creation & technical implementation and
creation and service development. The job holder will use experience and
judgement to evaluate complex requirements and implement solutions that are
consistent with the overall aims of the Programme.
The
Pathology Directorate in the Trust is highly dependent on IT systems to
support the delivery of the clinical service to patients. Key IT systems across Cellular Pathology
include Picture Archiving Communication System - PACS, Synoptic Reporting and
interfaces with Laboratory Information Systems, Laboratory Tracking Systems
and systems across WYAAT. There are
likely to be in excess of 150 staff across WYAAT with the majority of these
being users who use the system on a daily basis.
PACS
is a clinical system installed, it is used across the region by clinicians to
deliver patient care by enabling images and results to be available 24 hours
per day at any PC.
The
post holder will be responsible for the management and performance of these
operational systems, ensuring that they meet agreed standards and are
developed to meet the evolving requirements, within the constraints of
existing contracts. A key element to the job is the development of data
analysis, information management and reporting mechanisms to meet the needs
of the NPIC programme and partner Trusts.
The role will include the management and reporting of a broad range of
current information to support both clinical and business functions and
commissioner requirements.
The
post holder will also provide comprehensive management support to the
Programme and across the region and will have responsibility for the
leadership and performance of a team of technical and information staff and
will ensure that services are delivered within budget to agreed quality
standards. The post holder will work
in a complex environment and must ensure that effective communications are
established and maintained across the region, all Trust IT, and service
users.
To
lead on the information strategy planning for the NPIC Programme ensuring the
provision of an information and analysis service to meet the specific needs
of the Programme and other service users both internal and external.
Accountable
for the effective operational management and performance of all current
systems within the NPIC Programme such as PACS, synoptic reporting, internal
data warehouse and all interfaces between the various systems as well as any
future developments.
Manage
a team of staff to deliver IT and Information services.
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Operational
Management
The post-holder will be accountable
for the management, development and maintenance of several IT systems within
the NPIC Programme. They will ensure
these systems function to meet the aims of the Programme and the Trust and to
ensure they evolve in line with new developments and associated demand. They will have in depth specialist
knowledge of information systems and PACS.
The post holder will be responsible
for planning, implementing and managing system upgrades and expansion e.g.
adding additional modalities, electronic test ordering.
Accountable for management of system
interfaces in collaboration with system suppliers, regional departments,
supplier teams and Trust IT services locally and across the Region
Establish and lead a cross-team
Technical Group incorporating support staff for LIMS and PACS and associated
IT technical support, Data Communications and Information Governance staff to
ensure good communications and collaborative working
Manage image sharing requirements
and data anonymisation with partners
and with Independent Sector Healthcare providers, ensuring local
storage is not compromised.
Establish and maintain appropriate
escalation procedures.
Manage System Recovery Team
following any down-time either planned or otherwise
Maintain Service Continuity Plan and
ensure responsible staff are fully briefed
Review functionality and usage of
the systems to ensure benefits realised
Responsible for system availability
management
Initiate appropriate change
management procedures as required, ensuring that the impact of any change on
associated systems is acknowledged.
Initiate and manage appropriate
protocols as necessary eg security
Develop, authorise and
implement workarounds for known system
problems
Prioritise Requests for Change.
Take overall responsibility for
Configuration Management, ensuring appropriate documentation is up-to-date
and available.
Maintain system risk and issue logs
and manage appropriately to minimise risk and resolve issues.
Undertake proactive work to ensure a
climate of Continual Service Improvement
Responsible for all change, release
and deployment activities
Carry out post implementation
reviews as appropriate
Ensure integrity of system back-up,
archive and recovery plans
Implement and manage a Helpdesk
service
Information
Management
To lead, manage and develop the
Information Strategy for the NPIC Programme
To be responsible for the operation
of all IT systems within NPIC Programme and integration with
Regional/National systems
Analyse, interpret and resolve
highly complex problems where there may be conflicting opinions
To be responsible for the provision
of an efficient and accurate information and analysis service to the NPIC
Programme and Regional Trusts, the Department of Health and other agencies
To
analyse and provide a central resource of information
To create, design and present highly
complex information reports to a wide range of audiences including internal
and external staff.
To contribute to the NPIC
Performance reports
Access
Management
To ensure compliance with the
relevant information security policies, ensuring that activities are in
accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other legislation and
regulations related to information security.
To provide guidance on Data
Protection matters to the NPIC Programme as required
Accountable for disclosure or
destruction of data held in the database systems in accordance with all
relevant legislation
Quality
Management
To develop and implement strategies
and systems for quality assurance, providing feedback, development and
support as necessary.
Responsibility for and monitoring of
information quality assurance
Training/Communication
Ensure that relevant training
programmes are in place and delivered effectively
Responsible for the delivery of
specialist technical training as required
Establish and lead a Regional PACS
User Group(s)
To manage and develop a website for
the NPIC Programme in line with Trust standards
The post-holder will ensure
effective communication channels are developed across the Trust both within
the NPIC Programme, with corporate IT providers and with system Suppliers and
all relevant stakeholders.
Provide technical advice and
guidance in relevant Trust projects.
Financial
The post holder may be the delegated
budget manager for IT systems monitoring budgetary performance.
Strategy
Responsible for the development of
policy and procedures in relation to IT Systems which will impact across the
NPIC Programme e.g. policies for the correct identification of relevant
imaging on PACS.
Staff
Management
Accountable for the appointment,
induction, management, and continued development and training of staff.
