Remote Test Analyst

Are you looking for your next challenge in digital?


In partnership with our chosen supplier, we have embarked on our digital excellence journey to implement a nationally-leading EPR system that will transform the quality of care for our patients and staff by having instantly accessible information using the latest mobile technology, reducing paper usage and utilising clinical decision support tools.


The Testing Analyst will play a pivotal role in the implementation/ upgrades of the Trust's IT software systems, supporting all testing activities related to any IT software for NGH EPR. As part of a dynamic and agile team that is committed to our Vision 'Dedicated to Excellence', you will have significant personal opportunities to grow and develop, as well as to tangibly impact how care is delivered in the future.
Fixed term/secondment opportunity
The primary focus of the role is to support the end-to-end test function including (but not limited to) development of test plans, test scripts, interface testing and creating test reports. The Testing Analyst will undertake the functional testing of third-party software ensuring quality standards are met.


The post holder will also be in instrumental in delivering User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activity to ensure operational readiness and acceptance of software delivered and will be the advocate for QA best practices and lead initiatives.


Travel to the hospital site will be required.
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.


We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.


We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.


The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.


We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
You will be responsible for the development and design of the overarching testing framework based on expert testing knowledge and experience, tailored to the unique needs of the organisations.
You will support the end-to-end test function including (but not limited to) development of test plans, test scripts, interface testing and creating test reports. You will adhere to the standards for testing activities by applying best practice and ensuring that auditability is maintained throughout the testing process.
You will need to be able assimilate complex information, translate it into workflow or process so that a test script can be written which is understandable by your team and all other stakeholders involved in the testing process.
You will manage your own time to ensure you execute the testing scripts to plan on a daily basis. You will contribute to work planning and prioritisation, escalating risks and issues where appropriate.
You will have good problem solving, communication and organisational skills, along with expert knowledge of testing and testing theory. Knowledge of how computer systems support patient care will be essential as will experience of working in a testing role.
Ensure the Clinical Safety Management system is followed, and all clinical risks are assessed in conjunction with the Clinical Safety Officer.
This may mean, on occasion, working outside core office hours. In addition, the post holder will be expected to be available as part of the on-call rota as required.

Testing


Undertake all testing activities required for the successful deployment of new/upgraded software systems.
System testing with designated Trust clinical, administrative and operational users for new EPR implementations and existing system upgrades advising the users of the system software changes and ensuring that all areas of the system are fully tested and that users are fully aware of the changes, providing testing updates and training where required.
Identifying issues when testing, investigating issues by liaising with system support specialists or the end-users, where necessary ensuring full replication steps are provided to laid-down procedures, passing issues to system suppliers support desks and following up issues with the suppliers.
Create and / or update test scripts for testing the clinical systems under the remit of the Clinical Applications Team.
Ensure the Clinical Safety Management system is followed, and all clinical risks are assessed in conjunction with the Clinical Safety Officer.
Support the use and maintenance of test environments for systems across the estate, ensuring best practices for data quality, data consistency and supporting needs of all projects across the programme.
To ensure that the software solutions developed for NGH, either internally or externally by a third party, meet the needs of the User and comply with the documented requirements and meet the expected quality standards.
Working with Digital colleagues in coordinating EPR system deployments and scheduling test activities.
Ensure that configuration knowledge of applications are maintained so that if required during testing, configuration changes can be made to the system and be sufficiently documented so that the changes can then be made to live, training and pre-production etc, in preparation for implementation planning and execution.
Reporting of issues found during testing and ensuring quality replication steps are provided for each issue, allowing suppliers to investigate the issues.
Ensuring that systems knowledge is maintained, across the portfolio of applications that are supported by the department, of how systems are being used by the Trusts end-users to ensure that all existing processes are tested to support any bug fixes or software upgrades.
Support with the interpretation of national guidelines and policies and communicate and ensure alignment with project delivery.
Manages project auditing and ensure lessons learned are recorded and enforced for best practice.

Effectively liaise with all system stakeholders in the trust, including clinical users, the Digital Directorate and system suppliers.
Support in communicating project progress to stakeholders.
Communicate risks by escalation as required in an appropriate manner.
Use appropriate technologies and techniques communicate Digital issues to a wide range audience, internal and/or external members, and providing guidance and Digital concepts.

Professional/Personal Development


The post holder will take responsibility for his or her own professional development, identifying training and educational needs and agreeing ways of addressing these with their line manager.

Educations, Training and Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience to have or to be working towards a digital software testing qualification
Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
ITIL Certification or relevant experience or working in an ITIL environment
Project Management qualification, such as PRINCE II or experience of using structured project methodology
Evidence of experience or qualification in one or more of the following o SQL / SQL Server o HL7 Interfaces o Reporting tools (e.g. Business Objects) o Windows Server Administration

A proven track record in software testing
A commitment to quality and a thorough approach to work
Experience of developing procedures and processes to a high level of quality and detail
Evidence of continuing professional development
Knowledge of digital healthcare standards and NHS datasets and their relationship to coding, finance and commissioning

Systems configuration and maintenance experience
Understanding of EPR implementation, the benefits this provides to a Trust, in addition to a wider knowledge of Digital healthcare
Good understanding of NHS Digital strategies and their impact on local organisations

Competent Digital skills in order to collect and interpret data, present reports and compile simple presentations
Ability to work well from a predominantly computer-based environment with use of VDU
Flexible approach to work
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
Well-developed emotional intelligence
Effective leadership qualities
Ability to be flexible and respond to the needs of the organisation
Self-motivated and able to motivate others to achieve a high level of performance
Ability to concentrate for extended periods to enable effective planning of complex Digital programmes or projects
Ability to travel to the Northampton Hospital site and to other sites across the Group