EPR Test Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

The Test Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the testing programme, which is key to the successful delivery of the new EPR solution. They will put in place a testing strategy to achieve this including developing testing tools, appropriate change control, development of testing timelines, monitoring and managing testing defects and issues. They will ensure that there are effective and safe controls during all testing phases to guarantee a successful cutover at 'go-live' and subsequently as part of on-going maintenance testing.

This role will be responsible for designing, delivering, and managing a comprehensive Testing Strategy for the EPR Programme, ensuring alignment with the supplier and trust implementation methodology across the technical infrastructure, application, and data conversion workstreams. They will oversee and direct all application and integrated testing efforts, managing associated testing staff and coordinating activities to ensure consistent quality and assurance throughout all phases of delivery. The postholder will develop a detailed testing programme timeline in collaboration with Programme Leads and Supplier representatives, providing the Programme Board with confidence that every aspect of the EPR has been thoroughly, safely, and successfully tested prior to go-live.

Working closely with the Delivery and Implementation Leads, the Test Manager will establish and manage User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for all modules and subsequent releases, ensuring clinical and operational validation of workflows. They will be responsible for ensuring that all required testing resources are in place including staff, test environments, test scripts, automation tools, and monitoring systems and that these are effectively coordinated across workstreams. The role will also involve close collaboration with the Data Conversion and Integration Design teams to ensure detailed and robust interface functional testing, as well as working with application teams to develop comprehensive test scenarios and scripts in line with programme requirements and quality standards.

1. Test Strategy and Planning

Develop and own the end-to-end Test Strategy for the EPR Programme, covering functional, non-functional, integration, regression, performance, and UAT phases.

Define test objectives, scope, entry/exit criteria, and testing approaches aligned with programme milestones.

Establish test environments, data requirements, and automation strategies (where applicable).

2. Test Management and Coordination

Plan and oversee all test phases, ensuring dependencies are clearly mapped and managed.

Coordinate test activities across multiple workstreams (e.g. data migration, interfaces, clinical configuration, RTU, and reporting).

Ensure consistent test practices across supplier and in-house teams.

Manage defect triage processes, ensuring timely resolution and re-testing.

3. Quality Assurance and Governance

Implement quality control frameworks to ensure traceability from requirements through to test outcomes.

Maintain clear documentation of test evidence, results, and defect logs to support clinical safety and go-live assurance.

Contribute to risk management and provide assurance reports to the EPR Programme Board and Clinical Safety Officer.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with clinical leads, suppliers, and technical teams to ensure all testing is representative of operational use and clinical workflows.

Support and guide User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities, ensuring clinical users are appropriately trained and supported.

Present regular updates on testing progress, issues, and readiness to senior programme stakeholders.

5. Supplier and Integration Oversight

Liaise with EPR vendors and integration partners to ensure testing aligns with contractual deliverables and interface specifications.

Support end-to-end testing across systems such as ePJS, LCR and other SLaM integrations.

Verify supplier test evidence and validate performance against service-level expectations.

6. Readiness and Go-Live Support

Lead test completion and sign-off processes, ensuring readiness criteria are met for each release.

Support dress rehearsals, cut-over validation, and post go-live issue management.

Provide assurance that all critical workflows have been validated before deployment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in a relevant subject or extensive equivalent demonstrable experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience as a Test Manager / Test Lead in large-scale EPR or clinical systems programmes.
• Proven experience in documenting comprehensive test reports that clearly capture testing activities, outcomes, and defects.
• Proven ability to present test findings effectively to a range of stakeholders, adapting communication style to suit technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven experience in escalating critical issues appropriately and ensuring timely follow-up to resolution, maintaining clear audit trails and communication logs.
• Strong understanding of functional testing, non-functional testing, performance and regression testing as well as NHS clinical workflows, data migration testing, and integration testing.
• Experience managing supplier testing and multi-party environments.
• Knowledge of clinical safety assurance (DCB0129/DCB0160) and NHS digital governance.
• Ability to identify and sequence activities logically
• Innovative, able to solve problems and make decisions
• Ability to influence and negotiate across a range of professionals/organisations
• Well-developed motivational skills to encourage collaborative working to a prescribed programme where there may be resistance to change.
• Advanced IT skills across all MS Office Applications including MS Project
• Expert presenter using technology and effective communication techniques to present to staff across the organisation
• Familiarity with automated testing tools and test data management.

Desirable

• Previous experience in mental health EPR implementations.
• Understanding of SLaM's local digital environment (e.g., ePJS, Carenotes, Azure, integration architecture).
• Familiarity and understanding of ISO/IEC/IEEE 29119.
• Test management certification.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

IOPPN

Denmark Hill

SE5 8AF

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)