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Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Communications Specialist

The closing date is 21 May 2025

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Job summary

As a Communications Specialist, the role involves maintaining and supporting the Health Community's voice and data network infrastructure, ensuring seamless operation and reliability. This includes handling business-as-usual activities such as resolving service desk requests, performing planned maintenance and upgrades, and addressing complex technical faults that may impact service delivery.

The role requires active participation in project work to implement new systems and technologies, improve existing infrastructure, and plan for future capacity and functionality improvements. A key responsibility is to identify and resolve complex technical challenges that directly affect the delivery of patient care, ensuring that clinicians and staff have the best possible support from IT services.

Main duties of the job

  • Assist in supporting the voice and data networks for the South Devon Health Community, where the HIS has responsibility for providing these services
  • Good understanding of the TCP/IP network protocol and network addressing issues, including those specific to the NHS.
  • Good knowledge of firewall technology and understanding of managing a secure IT environment.
  • Assists with ensuring the voice and data communications networks perform to agreed service levels
  • Assists in diagnosing networking faults, providing solutions and escalating to senior technical personnel or external suppliers where appropriate
  • Assists in ensuring maximum availability of Network & Telephony services to users involving out of hours work where necessary.
  • Take part in the out of hours on call rota to ensure availability of services 24x7x365
  • Assists in managing the access control and operation of the secure gateway to the NHS network and the Internet, as defined by IT Security Policy.
  • Ensures quality documentation for areas of responsibility
  • Provides prompt resolution of problems and responds to emergency call-outs
  • Ensures data network cabinets are routinely cleaned and inspected

About us

Why Work With Us

You will be part of a small team responsible for managing the network infrastructure underpinning digital systems in the local health community and wider One Devon area.

You will contribute towards the achievement of our goal of making a positive impact upon the lives of patients and staff, through the provision of a robust and functional digital infrastructure. You will be working within a supportive, innovative and modern environment where ideas are shared and valued.

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

388-7021880-A&C

Job locations

Regent House

Regent Close

Torquay

TQ2 7AN


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role requires building and maintaining productive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including clinicians, customer organisations, technical and non-technical teams, other NHS organisations, and suppliers. Effective communication within and between teams is essential, supported by timely and professional documentation to ensure transparency and collaboration.

The role also involves planning and organising work effectively, ensuring resources are scheduled and deployed efficiently. This includes managing BAU activities as well as project work, following established methodologies such as PRINCE to ensure smooth execution.

A key responsibility is the management, development, and maintenance of the Network & Telephony infrastructure. The role is accountable to the Networks & Telephony Manager, IT Operations Manager, Deputy IT Operations Manager, and HIS Director, while also being responsible for delivering high-quality service to external stakeholders, including project partners and healthcare organisations such as CCGs and GP practices.

The Communications Specialist also plays a role in the financial and resource management of network and telephony equipment, including carrying out procurement activities to support operational needs.

Leadership ability is integral to the role, with responsibilities including overseeing Telephony Analysts and Associate Communications Specialists in carrying out infrastructure tasks. Additionally, the role supports the SDHIS Apprenticeship Programme by providing training, mentorship, and guidance to apprentices, contributing to their professional development.

The role involves organising and managing meetings, producing professional documentation, and maintaining a high level of technical proficiency in voice and data networking technologies. Ensuring that all documentation and systems within the department are accurately maintained is a critical aspect of the position, supporting both operational efficiency and compliance with industry standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role requires building and maintaining productive working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including clinicians, customer organisations, technical and non-technical teams, other NHS organisations, and suppliers. Effective communication within and between teams is essential, supported by timely and professional documentation to ensure transparency and collaboration.

The role also involves planning and organising work effectively, ensuring resources are scheduled and deployed efficiently. This includes managing BAU activities as well as project work, following established methodologies such as PRINCE to ensure smooth execution.

A key responsibility is the management, development, and maintenance of the Network & Telephony infrastructure. The role is accountable to the Networks & Telephony Manager, IT Operations Manager, Deputy IT Operations Manager, and HIS Director, while also being responsible for delivering high-quality service to external stakeholders, including project partners and healthcare organisations such as CCGs and GP practices.

The Communications Specialist also plays a role in the financial and resource management of network and telephony equipment, including carrying out procurement activities to support operational needs.

Leadership ability is integral to the role, with responsibilities including overseeing Telephony Analysts and Associate Communications Specialists in carrying out infrastructure tasks. Additionally, the role supports the SDHIS Apprenticeship Programme by providing training, mentorship, and guidance to apprentices, contributing to their professional development.

The role involves organising and managing meetings, producing professional documentation, and maintaining a high level of technical proficiency in voice and data networking technologies. Ensuring that all documentation and systems within the department are accurately maintained is a critical aspect of the position, supporting both operational efficiency and compliance with industry standards.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Good knowledge of all aspects of voice & data networking
  • Good knowledge of network security devices such as firewalls
  • Good knowledge of TCP/IP networking and associated network addressing issues, including addressing issues specific to the NHS

Desirable

  • Networking Certifications
  • knowledge of HP Aruba products including ClearPass
Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

  • Good knowledge of all aspects of voice & data networking
  • Good knowledge of network security devices such as firewalls
  • Good knowledge of TCP/IP networking and associated network addressing issues, including addressing issues specific to the NHS

Desirable

  • Networking Certifications
  • knowledge of HP Aruba products including ClearPass

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regent House

Regent Close

Torquay

TQ2 7AN


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Regent House

Regent Close

Torquay

TQ2 7AN


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Network, Telephony & Switchboard Manager

Joel Joseph

joel.joseph@nhs.net

01804653424

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

388-7021880-A&C

Job locations

Regent House

Regent Close

Torquay

TQ2 7AN


Supporting documents

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