County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Pathology Systems Manager

The closing date is 17 July 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Pathology Systems Manager, with great interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to team working to join the Health Informatics team, delivering outstanding service for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

The primary focus of the role will be the support, configuration and maintenance of the Trust's core Pathology systems, providing a high quality service built on your foundations as an experienced IM&T professional.

Furthermore, your role is critical to the implementation of the Digital Strategy within the Trust's Pathology service, as the subject matter expert delivering complex programmes and the provision of high quality support

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to lead a small team to comprehensively manage the Trusts core Pathology laboratory systems in line with Trust policies and procedures as well as providing support to any other secondary systems as requested.

The role is key in strategic planning, implementation and technical development/configuration of the Core Systems and Services, providing specialist advice and guidance for the Pathology specialty and other users including General Practitioners and other Trusts.

The post holder will work within and promote Health Informatics working practices following ITIL best practice will be ensuring configuration and administration. They will ensure Core Systems are operating in a secure and compliant environment warranting disaster recovery plans exist and are tested.

The post holder will provide line management to a team of support staff

About us

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0329

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Job description

Job responsibilities

To support proactive system monitoring and management to ensure that core Pathology systems are functioning correctly, take appropriate remedial action where not the case, analyse patterns and raise incidents/concerns with Health Informatics colleagues or System Suppliers as required ensuring any corrective actions are applied and tested according to best practice (ITIL) procedures. This would include regular conversations with laboratory staff/management to understand systems performance.

To be responsible for the management of a secure suite of Pathology systems, compliant with Trust policies and procedures

To contribute to the production and maintenance of technical documentation and operational procedures.

To ensure that the minimum downtime results from system failure, taking personal responsibility for ensuring action is taken as soon as is practically possible.

To work with colleagues to proactively maintain system infrastructure in a secure and non-vulnerable state, assessing risk, designing Disaster Recovery plans and periodically scenario testing to provide assurance to the service and Trust.

Support of service modernisation through the implementation of technology.

The role will provide advice to executive bodies, the service and wider Trust groups on Pathology IT issues and future strategies based on changing technologies and legislation or guidelines; ensuring that digital solutions continue to meet user and stakeholder needs, ensuring minimal clinical risk to patients

To design and development ad-hoc and periodic reporting using recognised reporting tool

To provide line management, including appraisal and development planning, to a small team assisting you in the delivery of Pathology System Management

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support proactive system monitoring and management to ensure that core Pathology systems are functioning correctly, take appropriate remedial action where not the case, analyse patterns and raise incidents/concerns with Health Informatics colleagues or System Suppliers as required ensuring any corrective actions are applied and tested according to best practice (ITIL) procedures. This would include regular conversations with laboratory staff/management to understand systems performance.

To be responsible for the management of a secure suite of Pathology systems, compliant with Trust policies and procedures

To contribute to the production and maintenance of technical documentation and operational procedures.

To ensure that the minimum downtime results from system failure, taking personal responsibility for ensuring action is taken as soon as is practically possible.

To work with colleagues to proactively maintain system infrastructure in a secure and non-vulnerable state, assessing risk, designing Disaster Recovery plans and periodically scenario testing to provide assurance to the service and Trust.

Support of service modernisation through the implementation of technology.

The role will provide advice to executive bodies, the service and wider Trust groups on Pathology IT issues and future strategies based on changing technologies and legislation or guidelines; ensuring that digital solutions continue to meet user and stakeholder needs, ensuring minimal clinical risk to patients

To design and development ad-hoc and periodic reporting using recognised reporting tool

To provide line management, including appraisal and development planning, to a small team assisting you in the delivery of Pathology System Management

Person Specification

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively, politely and with courtesy, both verbally and in writing, with staff in a range of positions.
  • Ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
  • Knowledge of Information Governance/Data Protection/Caldicott.
  • Demonstrate alignment with the values and beliefs of the Trust.
  • Ability to lead and work within a team, being adaptable and flexible across working hours when required.
  • Reliable, responsible and organised.
  • Effective user of MS Office applications, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel.

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 between Trust sites.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
  • ITIL Foundation qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

  • Qualification in Biomedical Science or Information Technology.
  • Prince2/MSP qualified.
  • Evidence of Continued Professional Development.

Experience

Essential

  • Management of systems in an integrated environment.
  • Extensive experience of problem identification, resolution and end user support.
  • Line management experience - including leading, motivating and developing others.
  • Experience of developing, maintaining and testing Disaster Recovery plans.

Desirable

  • Management of clinical systems ideally in a Pathology or clinical environment.
  • Experience of report development and maintenance, in particular using Business Objects
Person Specification

Special Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively, politely and with courtesy, both verbally and in writing, with staff in a range of positions.
  • Ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines.
  • Knowledge of Information Governance/Data Protection/Caldicott.
  • Demonstrate alignment with the values and beliefs of the Trust.
  • Ability to lead and work within a team, being adaptable and flexible across working hours when required.
  • Reliable, responsible and organised.
  • Effective user of MS Office applications, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word and Excel.

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 between Trust sites.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
  • ITIL Foundation qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

  • Qualification in Biomedical Science or Information Technology.
  • Prince2/MSP qualified.
  • Evidence of Continued Professional Development.

Experience

Essential

  • Management of systems in an integrated environment.
  • Extensive experience of problem identification, resolution and end user support.
  • Line management experience - including leading, motivating and developing others.
  • Experience of developing, maintaining and testing Disaster Recovery plans.

Desirable

  • Management of clinical systems ideally in a Pathology or clinical environment.
  • Experience of report development and maintenance, in particular using Business Objects

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).

Additional information

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

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Paul McGee

paulmcgee@nhs.net

01913728667

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9439-2526-0329

Job locations

Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

Hollyhurst Road

Darlington

County Durham

DL3 6HX


Supporting documents

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