Integration Engineer

Job summary

The postholder will: The Integration Engineer is a senior technical role within the Trusts Digital Services function, responsible for the hands-on design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of clinical and corporate digital solutions. The post holder will work across integration, interoperability, automation, and application development to deliver safe, high-quality, standards-compliant solutions that support patient care, operational efficiency, and workforce productivity. Working under the direction of the Solutions Design and Development Manager and in close collaboration with the wider Digital Services team, the post holder will contribute to the delivery of the Trusts Digital and Informatics Strategy. The role demands strong technical proficiency in healthcare interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR, APIs), integration engine technologies (e.g. Rhapsody), SQL and database development, digital automation (RPA and workflow tools), and an emerging awareness of AI and its application within an NHS setting.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will: Design, develop, test and deploy HL7 and API-based integrations using the Trusts integration engine (Rhapsody TIE), ensuring robust, maintainable, and standards-compliant interfaces. Develop and maintain SQL queries, stored procedures, database views, and data extracts to support clinical and operational reporting, system integrations, and data migration activities. Build and support digital automation solutions using RPA platforms (e.g. Evolve, Power Automate) and low-code tools, streamlining clinical and administrative workflows. Develop and integrate APIs and web services to enable secure, efficient data exchange between Trust systems and external partner organisations. Contribute to the Trusts emerging AI capability by supporting the evaluation, prototyping, and safe deployment of AI-enabled tools under appropriate governance frameworks. Produce and maintain comprehensive technical documentation including solution design documents, interface specifications, data-flow diagrams, and operational runbooks. Provide expert technical input to project delivery, including requirements analysis, design review, test strategy, and go-live readiness activities. Ensure all development work adheres to clinical safety, information governance, cybersecurity, and change management standards. Provide second and third-line support for live integrations, automations, and in-house applications, diagnosing and resolving issues within agreed SLAs.

About us

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives. Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Integration and Interoperability

• Design, build, test, and deploy HL7 v2 interfaces and message routes on the Trust’s integration engine (Rhapsody TIE), including message parsing, transformation, routing, filtering, acknowledgement handling, and error management. • Develop and maintain FHIR, RESTful API, SOAP, and web-service integrations between Trust systems, partner organisations, and national NHS services. • Support the configuration and maintenance of Cerner Millennium (Alex Health) Foreign System Interfaces (FSIs) and associated inbound/outbound data flows. • Implement robust testing of all interfaces including unit testing, integration testing, regression testing, and end-to-end message validation across test and staging environments. • Monitor interface performance, throughput, and error rates; proactively identify and resolve issues to maintain high availability of critical clinical data flows. • Maintain comprehensive and current interface documentation including specifications, message schemas, mapping tables, endpoint configurations, and operational runbooks. • Collaborate with application suppliers, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and system-owner teams to diagnose and resolve integration incidents within agreed SLAs. • Support adoption of modern interoperability standards and patterns such as RESTful APIs, SMART-on-FHIR, and event-driven messaging where clinically and operationally appropriate.

SQL and Database Development

• Write, optimise, and maintain complex SQL queries, stored procedures, views, and functions to support integration, reporting, and data-extraction requirements. • Design and manage intermediary database structures used for system integration (e.g. staging tables, ODBC links, VLink connectors) ensuring data integrity and security. • Support data migration, cleansing, and transformation activities as part of system implementation and upgrade projects. • Ensure all database development follows Trust information governance, security, and backup/recovery standards.

Digital Automation and RPA

• Design, develop, test, and deploy RPA workflows using platforms such as Evolve, UiPath, Blue Prism, or Microsoft Power Automate to automate clinical and administrative processes. • Build digital forms, applications, and workflow solutions using low-code/no code platforms (e.g. Power Apps, Power Automate) to improve operational efficiency. • Work with clinical and non-clinical stakeholders to identify automation opportunities, document requirements, and design solutions that reduce manual effort and improve quality. • Ensure all automation solutions comply with information governance, data protection, cybersecurity, and NHS governance standards. • Provide ongoing support and maintenance for deployed automations, monitoring performance and resolving issues promptly.

API Development and System Integration

Design, develop, and maintain RESTful and SOAP-based APIs and web services to enable secure data exchange between Trust systems and external partners. • Implement authentication, authorisation, and encryption mechanisms for all API and integration endpoints in line with NHS cybersecurity standards. • Develop integration solutions using JSON, XML, and other data interchange formats, ensuring data quality and schema compliance. • Support the Trust’s adoption of national interoperability initiatives including GP Connect, Shared Care Records, and pathology/radiology data-exchange standards.

AI Awareness and Emerging Technologies

Support the evaluation and prototyping of AI-enabled tools and technologies within appropriate governance and clinical safety frameworks. • Maintain awareness of NHS England AI guidance, national AI assurance processes, and emerging best practice for AI deployment in healthcare settings. • Contribute to discovery and feasibility assessments for AI and machine learning use cases, working closely with the Solutions Design and Development Manager and clinical stakeholders. • Research and recommend emerging technologies, tools, and approaches that could enhance the Trust’s digital automation and integration capabilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree-level education (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science,
Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
Evidence of continued professional development in IT, systems
development, or integration technologies.
Foundation or practitioner-level qualification in an agile development
methodology (e.g. BCS Foundation Agile, Scrum Master) or equivalent
knowledge/experience.
Working knowledge of HL7 messaging standards and healthcare
interoperability principles.

Desirable

Qualification or certification in integration engine technologies (e.g.
Rhapsody, Mirth).
Qualification or certification in AI, Data Science, or Intelligent Automation.
ITIL Foundation or equivalent service management certification.

Experience

Essential

Significant experience designing, building, testing, and deploying HL7 v2
interfaces and integration routes within a healthcare or similarly complex
environment.
Proven experience of SQL development including writing complex
queries, stored procedures, views, and data extracts.
Experience developing API and web-service integrations (RESTful,
SOAP) for system-to-system data exchange.
Experience in the full software development lifecycle, from requirements
analysis through to deployment and post-live support.
Experience building and supporting digital automation solutions using
RPA tools or low-code platforms (e.g. Power Automate, UiPath, Evolve).
Experience producing technical documentation including solution design
documents, interface specifications, and test plans.
Experience working in a pressurised SLA-driven environment with
competing demands.

Desirable

Experience in clinical information systems implementation and support, preferably within an NHS acute trust.
Experience with integration engine platforms such as Rhapsody, Mirth, or
Ensemble.
Experience with Cerner Millennium (Oracle Health) or similar EPR/EHR
platforms.

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

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk

Apply Now