Head of Clinical Applications

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This exciting new role in IT will be responsible for leading around 40 staff across 2 (formerly 3) teams which together, manage some of the Trusts most critical IT systems. As well as leading and being responsible for the teams on a daily basis, the post holder will work closely with the IT leadership team to help deliver maximum value and continuously drive both clinical and operational improvements in all the products and services within the portfolio.

One key workstream will be supporting and shaping the transition of the Sunrise team into a single unified team, having previously been working as 2 separate teams. The single Sunrise team will manage all aspects of the system, covering both support and release of new functionality and areas of deployment. The longer term aspiration is that both the Sunrise and the Clinical Applications team work fluidly as one larger dynamic team, able to adequality cross cover all areas within the portfolio, ensuring resources can flex in line with the wider programme of work. There is future roadmap of conversion of the PAS and EMR products and it’s crucial that we are prepared for this.

The key digital systems that this role will be responsible for include a mixture of supplier managed, locally managed and systems that are developed by our in-house application development team. The key systems you will be responsible for include Sunrise (core Electronic Medical Record) and PAS, but also many specialist systems that cover Cancer, Ophthalmology, Choose and Book, Referrals, Video Appointments, Maternity, Theatres, Dictation, Letters, Patient Portal amongst others.

 The post holder will be passionate that quality application support is provided to the Trust and will work with both clinical and operational stakeholders to deliver both exceptional support and continuous improvements. You will work extensively with other teams within IT and the IT Senior Management Team to help deliver the Trusts strategic digital objectives and ensure our digital systems are fit for the future in an ever-evolving environment, meeting the needs of clinicians so that they can best support our patients.

Key Responsibilities

·         Direct the provision of high quality support and advisory services with regards to system operation, upgrades and continuous improvements in order to drive efficiency, improve standards and maximise the benefit and effectiveness of applications, ensuring both clinical and administrative/operational needs are met.

·         Direct the development of all systems in the portfolio, providing senior level input into the change request and prioritisation processes, ensuring resources are co-ordinated to deliver work packages in alignment with the Trusts digital strategy.

·         Review and develop working practices, policies and procedures for the teams, analysing feedback through your attendance from clinical safety, information assurance, information governance, clinical design authority (and other Trust wide boards and working groups) as well as customer and supplier feedback. You will model current system application use and create reports, including proposals for improvement, ensuring the effective development and delivery of services that meet the current and future levels of operational performance throughout the Trust.

·         Plan, co-ordinate and manage the delivery of high quality end user application support, designing ways of working and structuring the team to enhance the end user experience and system features and availability. You will ensure the workforce is adequality skilled, has resilience in key areas and be able to adapt to meet future short and long term demands.

·         Through service reviews and building relationships with suppliers, you will evaluate changes to provide for continuous improvements, driving performance and standards, co-ordinating resources and establishing priorities in order to ensure excellent standards of system management and the successful implementation of new and updated digital systems.

·         Plan, co-ordinate and manage changes to systems that support the Trusts Information Team to ensure that reporting and data capture is accurate, complete and in line with national guidelines. You will develop and implement Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) with internal stakeholders as well as ensuring national requirements such as NHS Digital ISN’s, TRUD, SNOMED CT, CQC mandates and other medical or legislative changes are implemented promptly in a safe and effective manner.

·         Plan, co-ordinate and manage software releases, ranging from minor updates to major system version changes and replacement systems. You will authorise suppliers to make changes into a systems live clinical environment following review of specifications and completion of testing and validation exercises.

·         You will have expert knowledge of clinical systems and know where data flows, and interacts with local, regional and national systems as well as those used by our partner organisations. You will ensure that information governance principles are adhered to through regular communication with the Trust IG team.

Manage and motivate staff within the Applications teams, providing direction and leadership, staff appraisals, addressing welfare issues, advising on personal development, training and coaching, in order to help maximise performance from individuals and satisfy personal aspirations, in order that staff fulfil their potential and contribute effectively to IT and Trust aims.