Associate Developer
Job summary
Thames Valley Integrated Care Board is looking for an Associate Developer to provide technical support to our Connected Care Data & Integration team.
Connected Care is Thames Valley's expert-led, integrated healthcare-data ecosystem. Since 2016 it has grown from a simple shared care record into a powerful intelligence tool enabling provider collaboration and proactive, direct patient care across the Thames Valley system. This is a direct care function, not a commissioning role.
You'll support the design, build and ongoing optimisation of components of our data integration platform and Azure resources -- a custom-built part of Connected Care that expands the data available to the shared care record and integrates insights back from the population health system into clinical records -- working under the guidance of senior engineers while taking ownership of defined technical components yourself.
You'll be part of one of the largest Connected Care programmes in the country, with the opportunity to develop your technical career supporting direct patient care for 2.5 million people across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
Location: One of Thames Valley ICB's offices
Function: Connected Care / Population Health, Analytics and Planning
Directorate: Strategy & Commissioning
Main duties of the job
Supporting technical delivery of data processing, information analysis and system configuration work across our Connected Care platform.
Contributing to the development and implementation of data processing and integration solutions
Carrying out detailed information analysis and technical investigation of datasets, integration processes and platform components.
Producing clear technical documentation to support knowledge sharing, governance and audit.
Participating in internal and external working groups, providing technical advice and analytical input.
Supporting testing, review and evaluation of new tools, methods and configuration approaches.
Prioritising your own workload and escalating risks or issues appropriately.
About us
We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We believe that the best employers are those that reflect the communities they serve. We want to increase the diversity of our NHS leadership and particularly encourage applications from women, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBT communities, younger candidates and from people with lived experience of disability, who we know are all under-represented in these important roles. We are committed to delivering a trustworthy, flexible and responsible staff culture.
At our Organisation, our selection process ensures we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. We monitor AI use in applications and remain alert to misuse that misrepresents abilities. You must declare any AI use when submitting your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The postholder will provide comprehensive technical support to the Connected Care Data & Integration team by ensuring that development tasks, platform enhancements and integration activities within the portfolio are effectively planned, delivered and maintained.
The role supports the design, build and ongoing optimisation of components of the enterprise data and integration platform. The postholder will contribute to robust communication and stakeholder engagement both within the organisation and with external partners, ensuring that technical work is clearly understood and aligned to service objectives.
Responsibilities include supporting technical resource allocation across workstreams, tracking development progress, implementing defined technical initiatives and assisting in assessing outcomes. The postholder will provide specialist technical support through data processing, information analysis, system configuration and collaboration with stakeholders.
Key duties include maintaining coordination across technical activities, supporting research and development tasks, preparing technical documentation, managing assigned development tasks and contributing to reporting and analysis across Connected Care programmes.
The postholder will work independently on defined technical components while receiving guidance on complex architectural or strategic matters.
You'll be an early-career or developing technical professional, ready to build your skills in a live NHS data platform environment while working under senior guidance on more complex matters. You'll have:
A degree in computer science, software development, data engineering, information systems or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience in a technical development, data or integration environment.
Experience working with SQL and/or scripting languages (e.g. Python, PowerShell)
An understanding of data structures, relational databases and basic data modelling principles.
Awareness of information governance, data protection and secure data handling requirements
Clear communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Degree in computer science, software development, data engineering, information systems or related discipline or Equivalent level of practical experience working in a technical development, data or integration environment.
- Relevant technical certification (e.g. Azure Fundamentals, SQL, cloud platform or development certification).
Knowledge, Experience
- Experience working in a software development, data processing or technical support role.
- Understanding of data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes or system integration concepts.
- Experience working with SQL and/or scripting languages (e.g. Python, PowerShell or similar).
- Understanding of data structures, relational databases and basic data modelling principles.
- Awareness of information governance, data protection and secure data handling requirements.
- Experience supporting technical projects or system enhancements in a structured delivery environment.
- Experience gathering and analysing technical or performance information.
- Experience working with cloud platforms (e.g. Microsoft Azure).
- Experience working in healthcare, NHS or public sector data environments.
- Awareness of APIs, interoperability standards or integration technologies.
- Experience supporting system testing, release or deployment processes.
Communication
- Clear communicator with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to produce accurate and well-structured technical documentation.
- Ability to communicate technical risks, issues and progress updates clearly.
Analytical
- Ability to analyse and interpret technical information and datasets.
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to identify key issues within complex information.
- Logical problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and escalate issues appropriately.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical problems and propose practical solutions.
Technical
- Skills in writing and maintaining code or configuration scripts.
- Ability to manipulate and transform data accurately.
- Working knowledge of database querying (e.g. SQL).
- Competent use of Microsoft Office tools and general IT systems.
Planning and Organisation
- Ability to manage own workload and prioritise tasks effectively.
- Ability to work to deadlines within a dynamic and changing environment.
- Ability to follow structured development, testing and governance processes.
Professional Attributes
- Independent thinker with sound judgement within defined frameworks.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Demonstrates integrity and professionalism in technical delivery.
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Thames Valley ICB
Address
Oxford/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire/Surrey
Oxford
OX4 2PG
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/