IT / Informatics Technician

Technology has become increasingly crucial to the successful operation of a large laboratory. We are looking for a Band 5 IT/Informatics Technician to provide support to the scientific and technical teams delivering a high quality laboratory diagnostic genetics service. The role will include IT / Informatics support and advice throughout the laboratory, assisting with the development and maintenance of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), computer setup and maintenance of asset logs. The post holder will also have responsibility for troubleshooting general and specialist software and hardware issues, and liaising with central IT support and external suppliers as needed., The IT / Informatics Technician will provide general, technical and analytical IT and Informatics support to all Staff within the Genetics Laboratories including liaising with the Trust IM&T department. The post holder will also assist with various duties on the department Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) including maintenance tasks, data entry and ensuring data integrity.

The post holder will be required to participate in various IT related duties within the department including troubleshooting computer software and hardware issues. They will take personal responsibility for their own work, whilst being able to call on the support of more senior staff to ensure effective and efficient work delivery within the needs of the service.

They will also be required to contribute to standard operating procedures on IT related tasks and undertake projects to streamline these tasks.

They will have the opportunity to suggest, manage and implement projects to streamline the management and maintenance of IT assets within the department.

They are required to attend and participate in appropriate training seminars and departmental meetings., · Support and develop the role of IT and informatics in the day-to-day running of the Genetics Laboratories in order to maximise the department’s efficiency and impact.

· Give day to day advice, guidance and training on IT / Informatics issues and act within appropriate guidelines, following Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

· Act as the technical lead on minor works and projects, identifying tasks, timescales, liaising and coordinating required resources and work across multiple teams.

· Be responsible for troubleshooting IT issues (software, hardware, network and communications) within the department and either resolve or escalate to more senior informatics staff or to the Trust IM&T department, monitoring progress as appropriate. To include identifying root causes, implementing fixes, and testing and presenting technical solution scenarios for consideration.

· Be responsible for completing the installation of hardware and software as required, including assembly and moving of computer equipment between locations (a degree of manual handling will be involved). Configure computers to run specialist software and maintain software updates.

· Manage the department’s IT asset log.

· Perform various maintenance tasks on the LIMS and LIMS servers (e.g. adding new tests, troubleshooting login and reporting issues). Maintain data integrity on LIMS and other databases and ensure records are up to date and complete.

· Assist with development, testing, implementation, documentation and maintenance of the LIMS and other software.

· Perform ad-hoc audits / queries on Laboratory data under supervision of more senior informatics staff.

· Prioritise and plan work schedules around service requirements to ensure minimum disruption to ongoing service provision.

· SOP writing and review in areas relevant to own practice.

· Attend, and actively participate in, team and laboratory meetings with opportunity to propose improvements in efficiency and changes to scientific and technical protocols, and to contribute to the development and implementation of departmental policies within the limits of experience.

Staff

• Participate in the teaching and training of new members of staff or less experienced employees in own work area by demonstrating own work activities and routine practice.

· Advise other staff in areas such as sample processing on LIMS, basic troubleshooting, organisation of work, setting up of IT equipment and software.

Research and Service Development

· Assist clinical scientists in research and development projects which meet the overall objectives of the department.

Personal Development

· Participate in and attend in house training at postgraduate level for the development and maintenance of skills, knowledge and expertise required for the post (e.g. literature reviews, seminars, to present own work on relevant topics).

General

· Abide by all operational policies applicable to the department.

• Co-operate with management and safety representatives in matters connected with the Health and Safety at Work Act of Practice for safety in laboratories.

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of his/her own work. The post holder will collaborate with all other staff, to be an effective team member, and achieve optimal use of resources.

• Participate in internal quality control and internal and external quality assessment procedures.

• Work to ensure achievement of and adherence to the standards required of an accredited laboratory, in close liaison with the Quality Manager and under the direction of the team and laboratory Director.

• Participate in the preparation of the department for accreditation.

• Implement record keeping processes and assist with retrieval and presentation of data as required.

• Participate in regular performance review and personal development planning.

• Maintain confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with Data Protection Act of 2018.

• Participate in out of hours duties, if required, in line with the department out of hours policy.

• Work such hours as required for the effective and timely performance of his/her duties, as specified in the terms of the contract of employment.

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with experience and job role as a result of changes to the service as agreed by the Consultant Head of Laboratory or Trust and reviewed as part of the annual staff appraisal.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a flexible approach to work, good organisational skills, accuracy, consistency and attention to detail., * * Good BSc/BA (Hons) degree in a relevant subject.

• • Evidence of continuing professional development in IT / Informatics., * * Experience of supporting and maintaining computer hardware and software.
• • Extensive experience of Microsoft Office or equivalent; navigating databases and spreadsheets., * * Knowledge of maintaining and troubleshooting computer software, hardware and windows operating system.
• • Basic proficiency in scripting and query languages (e.g. Jscript.NET, SQL)
• • Basic understanding of the software development lifecycle, with experience assisting in the coding, testing, deployment and maintenance of applications., * * Ability to keep accurate written and computerised records.
• • Attention to detail, applying high quality standards to all tasks.
• • Ability to proactively assess and resolve issues, seeking advice and guidance where necessary.
• • Ability to manage own time, working effectively by prioritising tasks as required
• • Excellent numeracy, accuracy, verbal and written communication skills in English., * * Ability to work flexibly and under own initiative.
• • Demonstrates resilience under pressure.
• • Ability to deliver quality outcomes within required timeframes.
• • Acts with integrity and recognises limits of responsibilities.
• • Capable of working within a team supporting and respecting others.
• • A desire to learn and improve.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.

The Trust comprises of four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence., The Oxford Genetics laboratories (OGL) provide a comprehensive range of cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic and molecular genetic investigations for both rare disease and acquired disorders (solid tumour and haematological malignancy). OGL are part of the Central and South Genomic Laboratory Hub (GLH), one of seven GLHs established to deliver NHS England’s National Genomic Medicine Service., Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community. We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence, and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence. These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment. If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism., Sexual Safety Charter: In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles

Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.

If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.