Job responsibilities
To ensure that the Meditech computer system functions as required by the Pathology Department, by setting up, developing and maintaining all dictionaries, including analyser interfaces, so that tests may be requested, results input and reports produced in a timely, confidential and accurate manner
To manage the Medinet interface with the Liverpool Womens Hospital and ensure that it functions as required so that tests may be requested and results reported electronically, and integrated into the electronic patient record
Responsible for managing and maintaining the electronic reporting of patient results directly to external laboratory systems via a combination of both the hospital Meditech computer system, NPEX and the Anglia ICE LabComm messaging middleware, ensuring that read code dictionaries are updated regularly as new versions are released nationally
Provide and interpret clinical and statistical information relating to workload activity and audit by developing and implementing complex searches of the Pathology database, as required by the NHSE, NHSi UKHSA, Trust, Pathology, clinicians and outside agencies
To assess, enhance and implement developments to the Meditech system using specialised knowledge, to improve service provision and in response to the changing needs of the service
To maintain and promote IT standards of laboratory staff
Always maintain integrity and confidentiality of patient information by adhering to the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act
Take a lead role, co-ordinate and manage all steps of any IT projects related to Pathology, including defining and testing the associated changes in departmental work practice and identifying and providing training
Develop and maintain an expertise in on-going technology developments, service standards and legislative requirements affecting pathology and related national initiatives
To ensure that departmental IT procedures are in place and are kept up to date and access levels are assigned to maintain system security
To provide advice and assistance to all grades of staff both within the department and the Trust, including clinicians and nursing staff
To understand how systems impact on other departments within the Trust
To develop, manage and maintain systems for the safe, confidential storage and retrieval of electronic records.
To develop, produce and manage robust protocols for computer down time, both planned and unplanned within the department, which affect the Trust, Liverpool Womens Hospital and GP practices.
Work with the community e.g., GP practices and Liverpool Womens Hospital. Also, other Trusts around the country using the Meditech Laboratory module to provide specialist technical expertise and advice
To work flexibly to meet the needs of the service. This may include starting work early or finishing late and receiving calls at home for advice out of hours on an occasional basis.
Management
Responsible for the overall management and day to day running of the laboratory informations systems including: Meditech, Clinisys, PMIP, NPREX, HL7 interfaces, analyser interfaces and Histopathology IMS (Phillips & Sectra) within Pathology
Effectively project manage the implementation of software upgrades and enhancements and all aspects of Pathology Information and communications systems
To organise, chair or attend appropriate project team meetings both within the Trust and externally
Facilitate effective communication between the pathology staff and the IM&T department, system suppliers and the service personnel
Manage regular and effective maintenance schedules, on all systems, on a daily basis and troubleshoot problems when necessary
Manage effective electronic communication links across multiple sites including Liverpool Womens Hospital and GP practices
Manage and investigate all incidents (both Clinical and Technical), problems or errors relating to the Pathology IT system
Investigate complaints from service users related to the use and service provision of the laboratory information systems and provide reports
Manage user access to pathology modules and arrange access rights of other Trust staff including access to confidential tests and clinical data
Manage systems for extracting and collating complex information relating to audit and workload activity
Manage IT systems providing activity data used to invoice external users
To participate in Pathology meetings including Leadership Team Quality and Governance group and Pathology User Group meetings
To ensure compliance with all IM&T standards including UKAS accreditation and participate in the Quality Management system
To develop and review departmental standard operating procedures and policies relating to IT
To protect the confidentiality of records transmitted to outside bodies and operate within the principles of the Data Protection Act and in accordance with NHS guidelines (Caldecott principles)
To ensure all IT equipment and facilities provided within the department are used in a correct and safe manner
To comply with Trust and Departmental Health and Safety policies, including reporting clinical incidents, risks, accidents, hazards and defects as soon as possible
Skills
Work on own initiative
Have expert knowledge with specialist responsibility of a Pathology Laboratory Information System
To listen to and understand requirements of laboratory, clinical and IM&T staff related to the laboratory and hospital IT systems, and the ability to modify the software using own initiative to achieve these requests
Responsible for analysing and investigating complex IM&T issues relating to Pathology and troubleshoot compound problems
Use specialist knowledge to manage, extract and interpret required complex data relating to patient information, audit and workload activity from the laboratory information system, on a daily basis, using specialised programming and reporting skills
To produce detailed and complex reports, databases, spreadsheets and presentations
Research and Development
To undertake regular departmental audits to comply with UKAS standards
To manage and perform regular quality audits of test turnaround times and information provided to users both within the Trust and externally, including GPs, UKHSA, NHSE and other Trusts who use the laboratory services, to support service development and improvement
Responsible for designing, developing, and implementing changes to the Meditech system, using specialised knowledge and experience, to improve service provision and in response to the changing needs of the service
Education and experience
To maintain registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) if appropriate.
Must be qualified to minimum of degree level or equivalent in a subject recognised by the regulatory and professional bodies (IBMS, HPC) or IT related
To hold MSc or equivalent and/or a minimum 5 year post registration experience in a clinical laboratory or comparable experience in IT
Experience in the use of statistical analysis programs
Demonstrate the ability to undertake complex data extraction and manipulate the computer system as required
To keep up to date with current issues and areas of development within the profession and apply them to personal practice and the practice of the department
Training
To develop and produce training manuals, user guides, departmental operating procedures and provide or co-ordinate end user training of all appropriate staff, including departmental, ward based, clinic and community staff and ensure correct induction of new staff and skills maintenance for existing staff for effective systems operation and delivery
Identify, develop, and provide staff training within the Trust relating to the use of the Hospital computer system for laboratory requesting and results reporting
Manage departmental staff IT training to ensure correct induction and orientation of new staff, students and visitors, and review skills maintenance for existing staff for effective systems operation, offering instruction, guidance and support as appropriate
To be responsible for self-development of skills and competencies through participation in training and development activities and to maintain up to date technical and professional knowledge relevant to the post through CPD or equivalent
Develop and maintain an expertise in on-going technology developments, service standards and legislative requirements affecting pathology and related national initiatives
Communication
To communicate effectively with peers, junior and senior colleagues within the Pathology Department, the IM&T department and all service users within the Trust, Community, the Liverpool Womens Hospital, GP practices, ICSs and outside agencies, including the UKHSA and UK Renal Registry by telephone, e-mail, face to face and in writing.
To effectively liaise and maintain a good working relationship with all members of staff within a multidisciplinary environment and promote effective teamwork
To provide and receive complex information regarding the Meditech and Anglia ICE LabComm information systems and those of linked GP practices
To communicate with system suppliers (Meditech and Anglia) about problems or new developments. This may be outside normal working hours and includes the logging of problems and the processing and reviewing of these to provide an acceptable solution.
Liaise with Trust IM&T department to ensure compliance with policies established by the Head of IM&T
To present complex clinical/technical and statistical information to large groups including clinicians, Health Care Scientists, nurses and hospital managers by means of reviews/reports and electronic presentations
