Junior Digital Automation Developer
Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Digital team at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust as a Junior Automation Developer. Reporting to the Digital Automation Specialist, you will support the development, testing, deployment and maintenance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and low-code solutions across the Trust.
The role is suited to someone with basic knowledge of coding and/or experience with RPA or low-code technologies who is looking to build practical development skills within a structured Automation and AI team. Working under guidance and within established standards and procedures, you will use technologies such as Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps to develop, test and support automation solutions that improve the efficiency, quality and safety of Trust services.
You will work as part of an Agile team, gaining experience across the automation lifecycle while developing your technical knowledge through training, mentoring and hands-on experience. You will also contribute to the safe and secure use of automation, ensuring solutions comply with information governance, cyber security and data protection requirements.
Main duties of the job
As a Junior Automation Developer, you will:
- Develop and configure RPA workflows and low-code applications using Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps, working from agreed specifications.
- Undertake unit and system testing and support user acceptance testing, implementing fixes and improvements as required.
- Diagnose and resolve routine faults and performance issues, escalating complex issues to senior colleagues.
- Support the deployment and monitoring of live automations to maintain reliability and effective performance.
- Follow established deployment, testing and release processes and procedures.
- Maintain clear technical documentation, process maps and support materials in line with Trust standards.
- Work within an Agile environment, participating in stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews and retrospectives, and using Jira or equivalent tools to manage tasks and defects.
- Provide straightforward support to users and colleagues and contribute to knowledge sharing within the team.
- Follow information governance, cyber security, confidentiality, UK GDPR and clinical safety requirements when developing and supporting automation solutions.
- Support simple solutions involving APIs, web services and webhooks under appropriate guidance.
- Keep up to date with RPA, low-code and AI technologies, contributing ideas for service improvement and increased automation opportunities.
About us
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester
Our workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyone
We are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
DBS Checks and Costs
Any applicants who are offered posts requiring a DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check (at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE:
Reporting to the Software Development & System Integration Manager, the post holder will support the development, testing, deployment and maintenance of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and low code automation solutions across Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
The role is suitable for an individual with some basic knowledge of coding and/or exposure to RPA or low code tools, who is looking to develop practical experience within a structured Automation and AI team. The post holder will work under close supervision, following defined standards and procedures, contributing to digital transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, quality and safety of Trust services.
KEY DUTIES:
Working from a specification to develop and configure RPA workflows and low code applications using Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps.
Undertake unit testing, system testing and support user acceptance testing of automation solutions.
Diagnose and resolve routine faults and performance issues, escalating more complex issues appropriately.
Maintain technical documentation, process maps and support materials in line with Trust standards.
Use Jira (or equivalent tools) to manage tasks, defects, enhancements and sprint activities.
Work within an Agile delivery environment, contributing to stand ups, sprint planning, reviews and retrospectives.
Supports the use of deployment pipelines for testing and releasing automations, following agreed procedures and guidance.
Support the deployment and monitoring of live automations to ensure reliability and compliance.
GENERAL DUTIES:
Actively participate in training and continuous professional development related to RPA, AI and digital technologies.
Contribute ideas for service improvement and increased automation opportunities.
Carry out any other reasonable duties consistent with the level of responsibility of the post.
Support colleagues in the RPA team with straightforward queries and tasks, escalating where needed
Work with colleagues to ensure automations and digital solutions are developed in a way that supports information governance, cyber security, UK GDPR and safe handling of patient or staff data.
Recognise when a process may have clinical safety, information governance or security implications and escalate appropriately to senior team members.
Support the development and maintenance of simple automations and digital solutions that may interact with APIs, web services or webhook-based processes, under supervision.
COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Communicate effectively with technical and non technical stakeholders.
Produce clear written documentation and updates.
Build effective working relationships within the Digital Directorate and wider Trust.
Works collaboratively with other team members and contributes to a supportive team environment.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
Degree (or equivalent experience) in IT, Computer Science, Digital Technologies or a related subject.
Working knowledge of coding or scripting concepts.
Experience or exposure to RPA or low code development, particularly Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps.
Knowledge of Python or C# is desirable.
Knowledge of SQL and relational databases (e.g. SQL Server) is desirable.
Awareness of AI enabled tools such as Microsoft Copilot or automation agents is beneficial.
ANALYTICAL & JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS
Ability to analyse system workflows and translate them into logical automation steps.
Ability to assess issues, identify solutions and decide when escalation is required.
PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
Ability to manage own time and workload to meet agreed deadlines.
Attend sprint meetings to report progress or raise issues.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
IT operation and well developed keyboard skills.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENT / CLIENT CARE
Contact with patients will be incidental only.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Responsible for the safe and appropriate use of Trust IT systems, licences and equipment associated with automation development.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES
No line management responsibility; may provide guidance to more junior staff or students where required.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
The post holder is responsible for the design, development, maintenance and support of automated processes and low-code applications which process, store and transfer organisational data. This includes ensuring the accuracy, integrity, security and availability of data within automation solutions, in line with Trust information governance policies, data protection legislation and digital standards.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Expected to keep up to date with developments in RPA, low code platforms, AI and digital best practice and apply learning to the role.
FREEDOM TO ACT
Works with a degree of autonomy within clearly defined policies, standards and procedures, referring complex matters to senior colleagues.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
Desk based, IT working.
MENTAL EFFORT
Frequent concentration required when developing, testing and supporting automation solutions.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT
Little exposure to distressing circumstances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office based with home working in line with Trust policy.
Person Specification
Other
- Actively participate in training and continuous professional development related to RPA, AI and digital technologies.
- Contribute ideas for service improvement and increased automation opportunities.
- Carry out any other reasonable duties consistent with the level of responsibility of the post.
- Support colleagues in the RPA team with straightforward queries and tasks, escalating where needed
Skills / Knowledge
- Awareness of AI enabled tools such as Microsoft Copilot or automation agents is beneficial.
- Knowledge of Python or C#
- Knowledge of SQL and SQL Server (or similar databases)
- Experience of Jira
- Experience of Agile / Scrum working
- Awareness of information governance, confidentiality, UK GDPR, cyber security and safe management of NHS information.
- Awareness of APIs, web services and webhooks, and how systems can exchange information.
Qualifications
- Foundation Degree, Higher National Certificate (HNC), or vocational qualifications at level 3 in an IT, Computer Science, Digital Technologies or related subject.
- Working knowledge of coding or scripting concepts.
- Relevant professional IT or vendor training
Experience
- Experience or exposure to RPA or low code development, particularly Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps
Personal Qualities
- Communicate effectively with technical and non technical stakeholders.
- Produce clear written documentation and updates.
- Build effective working relationships within the Digital Directorate and wider Trust.
- Works collaboratively with other team members and contributes to a supportive team environment.
Employer details
Employer name
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Address
Charles Hastings Way
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 1DD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/