Systems Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support the Systems Support Manager in managing contracts with system suppliers

To be the System Manager for a portfolio of systems as determined by the Systems Support Manager, and to support departmental based system managers for a range of other clinical and departmental systems. This will include either directly or through staff.

To specify, design, write and support solutions for operational clinical departmental systems as required and meeting Trust standards and using appropriate system analysis and software engineering methodologies

Either personally or supporting departmental system managers to develop, maintain, own and implement System Security and Compliance Control (SSCC) including documented procedures for the operation of systems that meet data accreditation targets and Trust standards

oTo maintain, or ensure the maintenance of, system documentation, including policies and procedures, training manuals, business continuity plans and functional descriptions

oTo support the maintenance of high data quality by supporting data owners with resolution to data quality issues, performing data audit and, where agreed, accurate data entry

oTo maintain and manage procedures for users to report problems that they may encounter with the system and to ensure that appropriate help and guidance is available to them

oTo maintain and manage procedures to analyse, investigate, report and progress to completion, software faults for the systems

oTo manage and co-ordinate all system patches and upgrades and to quality assure application software in accordance with procedures

oTo maintain and manage procedures for access control that meet Trust information governance standards

oTo regularly audit systems, users and data to ensure accuracy and quality of data

oTo support user departments or staff development to ensure that they can develop and provide training programmes appropriate to all Clinical and Administrative users of the systems in order to develop performance, skills and expertise within the Trust and user communities

oMaintain system software and when required, system hardware

oTo liaise with the suppliers

Either personally or supporting departmental system managers to manage operationally and control the systems. This will include either directly or through staff

oDirectly or through IT Services to administer system operations, including interfaces and attached devices, printing, housekeeping, archiving and backup regimes

oTo develop and implement procedures for monitoring the system using error logs and statistics. This could include system performance, system job management, file space, processing capacity, database usage and disk maintenance

oTo maintain a full record of the data dictionary, with supporting documentation

oTo ensure the system is updated as necessary and in an accurate and timely fashion, in terms of central reference files and core system tables, and co-ordinate this with managers of interfaced applications

oTo ensure a full record of the system configuration, both software and hardware is maintained

oTo operate the Trusts standard change control procedures in respect of the system

oTo provide expert knowledge on and assist with extraction of data (using as required SQL, Crystal Reports and other tools)

oTo develop and run, or assist the information department in doing so, user definable reports and data extraction reports (using as required SQL, Crystal Reports and other tools)

oSupervision of hardware and software engineers while on-site during system installations, upgrades or repairs to support the systems maintenance

oTo provide technical and application knowledge on IT problem solving and fault resolution and monitor faults reported in order to identify and resolve any problem areas.

oLiaise with system hardware and software engineers when necessary in order to identify appropriate solutions to faults logged by users within the Trust

To support the information governance team. This will include:

oTo support data quality awareness training

oTo ensure NHS data standards are implemented and maintained

oTo support the Trust Data Quality Policy

oTo monitor, improve and promote data quality on the system, working proactively with the Information department

To influence decision making within Health Informatics and operational directorates in regard to systems and support the Systems Support Manager in contributing to strategic development of systems

To implement, lead on the implementation or project-manage new systems or developments and enhancements to existing systems as identified by the Systems Support Manager using Prince II project management techniques

To act as an advocate for, and to promote best practice in regard to the systems, working proactively with user managers and colleagues in Health Informatics, to make maximum use of the systems and to effect change in user departments where this is advantageous to ensure effective use of the systems by developing procedures, education and guidance

To line-manage and recruit staff according to Trust policies

To work with colleagues and manage staff such that cross-cover for systems is provided to ensure service continuity. This may involve temporary working at other sites within the Trust

To formally participate in the provision of 1st and 2nd level support of systems as appropriate for the delivery of the service

May be required to undertake duties out of normal office hours

And:

Other duties, as required, by the Systems Support Manager

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• In depth experience of designing, configuring and supporting systems
• Experience of managing change
• Experience of teaching, coaching and leadership
• Experience of supplier/contract management

Desirable

• Experience of a wide range of NHS clinical and administrative systems including medical diagnostic equipment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Computer or related science degree or equivalent proven experience.
• Solid experience in a technical environment with evidence of continued professional development.

Desirable

• ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrable skills in Structured Query Language(s) SQL.
• Demonstrable skills in the use of software and software development tools.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant national and local Health/Education/Social Care policies and practices.
• Knowledge across a range of work procedures and practices, underpinned by theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience.
• A sound working knowledge and understanding of computer based systems.
• Proven ability to make judgements involving complex facts or situations which require the analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options.
• An ability to plan and organise workload to meet objectives and deadlines.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills persuasion, negotiation, training, empathy and re-assurance.
• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive, contentious information where there may be barriers to overcome.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Unix based systems

Special Requirements

Essential

• Commitment to developing own expertise.
• To keep up to date with current clinical and technical advances and relevant management practices; to be advised of same by peers and more senior clinicians within the Trust.
• Able to travel independently

Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Centre For Health

Traynor Way

Whitehouse Business Park

Peterlee

County Durham

SR8 2RU

Employer's website

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