Integration Support Engineer
Job summary
The Integration Support Engineer sits within the Digital Data & Technology(DDaT) team, adding value for our patients through improving anddeveloping digital services across the Trust and wider health and caresystem.
This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless interoperability between varioushealthcare systems, enhancing the quality and efficiency of patient care.The postholder will work with HL7 and FHIR standards, APIs, and varioushealthcare applications to support, develop, and troubleshoot integrationprocesses within the NHS's digital infrastructure aligned with the trust'svision.
The postholder will work closely with clinical, technical, and third-partystakeholders to ensure that all integrations align with the Trust's strategicgoals, comply with data security standards, and deliver measurableimprovements in digital health services. As the Trust evolves, theIntegration Support Engineer will play an active role in transforming andimproving healthcare interoperability across the wider health and caresystem.
The postholder will support the Integration Developer and widerInteroperability team in ensuring the Trust can safely integrate and makeuse of shared information and services, regardless of the systems in use,and who supplied them.
Main duties of the job
Development & Maintenance of Interfaces: Support the design, development, implementation, and management of interfaces using the Trust Integration Engine (TIE) Rhapsody, to enable seamless data exchange between various clinical and operational systems.Technical Troubleshooting: Resolve issues related to data exchange, such as message formatting errors, connectivity problems, and data mapping conflicts between systems, ensuring minimal disruption to clinical services.Compliance with Industry Standards: Ensure adherence to industry interoperability standards, including HL7, FHIR, and DICOM, to guarantee secure and efficient data flow between internal and external systems.Data Transformation: Manage complex data transformation processes to ensure consistent and accurate data exchange across healthcare systems, safeguarding data integrity.
About us
This role will be within the Interoperability Team in the Digtal Data and Technology Department (DDAT)
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Integration Development & Support: Development & Maintenance of Interfaces: Support the design, development, implementation, and management of interfaces using the Trust Integration Engine (TIE), such as Rhapsody or Mirth, to enable seamless data exchange between various clinical and operational systems.Technical Troubleshooting: Resolve issues related to data exchange, such as message formatting errors, connectivity problems, and data mapping conflicts between systems, ensuring minimal disruption to clinical services.Compliance with Industry Standards: Ensure adherence to industry interoperability standards, including HL7, FHIR, and DICOM, to guarantee secure and efficient data flow between internal and external systems.Data Transformation: Manage complex data transformation processes to ensure consistent and accurate data exchange across healthcare systems, safeguarding data integrity.
2. Vendor & Supplier Management: Vendor Collaboration: Liaise with third-party software providers and vendors to ensure that system integrations, software patches, and updates are implemented smoothly and in line with Trust standards.Integration Support EngineerContract & SLA Management: Monitor and manage Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with software providers to ensure timely support and issue resolution. Escalate critical issues to vendors when necessary, ensuring they meet agreed service expectations.Vendor Evaluation & Procurement: Assist in the evaluation of software and integration platforms, contributing technical expertise to procurement decisions. Ensure that chosen solutions meet the Trust's needs for scalability, security, and interoperability.Software Upgrades & Patches: Coordinate the deployment of software upgrades, patches, and new integration features in collaboration with vendors, ensuring minimal disruption to live systems.
3. Stakeholder Management & Communication: Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with clinical and operational teams to understand data exchange requirements and ensure integration solutions meet both clinical and technical needs.Communication of Technical Concepts: Provide clear, non-technical explanations to stakeholders regarding integration processes, system limitations, and potential solutions. Act as a key point of contact between IT teams, clinical staff, and vendors.Regular Status Reporting: Keep internal teams and stakeholders informed of integration status, project progress, and any identified risks. Provide regular updates on system performance, planned upgrades, and vendor-led improvements.Training & Documentation: Develop user guides and training materials for clinical and administrative teams, ensuring they understand new or updated systems. Provide ongoing support for stakeholders navigating new integrations.
4. API Management & Development: API Integration: Design, deploy, and manage RESTful APIs to enable secure data exchange between the Trusts systems and external partners. Ensure API integrity, security, and performance.API Monitoring & Optimization: Monitor the performance of deployed APIs, identifying and resolving issues to maintain high availability and speed. Collaborate with vendors to optimize API functionality when necessary.API Collaboration: Work with software vendors and internal teams to ensure the Trusts API strategy aligns with operational requirements.Facilitate the integration of external APIs with Trust systems.
5. Data Interoperability & Compliance: Standards Adherence: Ensure all data exchanges are compliant with NHS, national, and international standards (HL7, FHIR, GDPR, etc.) to maintain system interoperability and data security.Data Security & Integrity: Safeguard patient and operational data throughout the integration lifecycle by adhering to stringent security protocols and data protection laws.Integration Support Engineer
Cross-team Collaboration: Partner with clinical, operational, and IT teams to define data requirements, ensuring that all systems communicate efficiently and meet clinical objectives.
6. Project Involvement & Implementation: Project Participation: Take part in integration projects, including requirements gathering, system design, testing, and final implementation.Collaborate with project managers and clinical staff to ensure successful and timely project delivery.Testing & Quality Assurance: Coordinate the testing and validation of new interfaces and integrations, working closely with stakeholders to ensure that systems meet functional and security requirements before going live.Project Documentation: Maintain detailed records of integration design, workflows, testing results, and troubleshooting guides to ensure transparency and facilitate future system audits.
7. Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
Process Optimization: Identify opportunities to enhance the efficiency and performance of current integration processes.
Propose and implement process improvements to increase reliability, reduce downtime, and improve user satisfaction.
Innovation & Best Practices: Stay updated on emerging technologies, interoperability standards, and digital health trends.
Incorporate new developments into the Trusts integration strategies, driving continuous improvement in digital services.
Feedback Implementation: Gather and analyse user feedback on current systems and integrations, working with vendors and internal teams to implement enhancements based on real-world clinical needs.
8. Business Change & Transformation Support:
Supporting Change Management: Collaborate with the Trusts Improvement Programme Board to ensure that integration strategies support larger organisational change initiatives. Facilitate business transformation through technology-driven solutions.
Staff Training & Knowledge Transfer: Ensure that the Integration and Interoperability team is equipped with the skills needed to manage and implement technology-based change.
Lead training sessions to upskill staff in integration methodologies and tools.
9. Governance & Compliance: Compliance Oversight: Ensure that all integration activities comply with Trust governance frameworks, NHS digital guidelines, and relevant legal standards.Integration Support EngineerMaintain compliance with cybersecurity protocols and information governance regulations.Audit Support: Prepare detailed logs and records of integration activities to support internal and external audits, ensuring transparency and accountability in all integration-related processes.
Person Specification
Experience
- At least 3 years of experience developing interfaces to EPR systems
- Oracle (Cerner) experience is desirable
- Experience working within a hospital environment
Qualifications
- Experience developing and troubleshooting HL7 and FHIR interfaces
- Experience working with interface engines such as Rhapsody
- Qualifications in NHS interfacing standards such as HL7, FHIR
Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
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.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Princes House
London Road
Reading
RG1 5UZ
Employer's website
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/