Digital Pathology Research Systems Lead

Job summary Expected Shortlisting Date: 13/01/2025 Planned Interview Date: 22/01/2024 An exciting opportunity has arisen at NPIC (National Pathology Imaging Cooperative) based at LTHT for a Research Systems Lead.
The candidate will work closely with the Head of Research Infrastructure and will be responsible for the management of Information Systems relating to the Research activity of the NPIC programme.
NPIC works collaboratively with Hospital Trusts, Universities and commercial companies ranging from spinouts and SMEs to large multinationals to expand to use and impact of digital pathology and artificial intelligence and as well as the development of quality assurance tools for digital pathology.
Our research team plays a vital role realising our ambitions by helping to develop project opportunities and support projects through their lifecycle.
Main duties of the job This role requires an experienced individual who is driven, ambitious and passionate about improving patient care through the use of cutting-edge technology.
The post holder will be responsible for the Research Image Management Systems, policy / procedure creation, technical implementation and service development.
The NPIC programme is highly dependent on IT systems to support the creation and use of research data, for academic and commercial partners to the develop AI-powered diagnostic tools.
The post holder will be responsible for the management and performance of these operational systems, ensuring that they meet agreed standards and are developed to meet the evolving requirements, within the constraints of existing contracts.
A key element to the job is the development of data analysis, information management and reporting mechanisms to meet the needs of the NPIC programme and partner Trusts.
About us Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been at the forefront of Digital Pathology research and innovation for over 15 years.
A £50m initiative from Office for Life Sciences and the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund has led to the scale-up of the programme.
NPIC builds on that advanced starting position, uniting a consortium of academic, clinical and industry partners with a common vision - to create a world-leading centre for digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) on which a UK industrial sector can grow and thrive.
NPIC is multidisciplinary and highly motivated team that is working to deliver these challenging ambitions, as a part of this team you can expect a supportive environment and management that is receptive to the needs of individuals and allows for continued development through training and opportunities to be involved diverse aspects of a multimillion-pound program.
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Job description Job responsibilities JOB DETAILS Job Title: Digital Pathology Research Systems Lead Reports to: Head of Research Infrastructure Band: 8a Unit/Department: Research and Innovation Location: SJUH AFC Number: 3473a JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY The National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) programme, a £100m+ initiative supported by central funding from NHS England, Innovate UK and the Office for Life Sciences.
NPIC has the ambition to provide a national platform to support pathology services.
The post-holder will be responsible for the management of Information Systems relating to the Research activity of the NPIC programme.
To succeed in this role the successful candidate will need substantial experience in project management and a track record of delivery.
The ability to build successful networks and collaborations across a complex range of stakeholders, including industry, academia, NHS and patients.
This role requires an experienced individual who is driven, ambitious and passionate about improving patient care through the use of cutting-edge technology.
The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of service re-design, policy / procedure creation & technical implementation and creation and service development.
The job holder will use experience and judgement to evaluate complex requirements and implement solutions that are consistent with the overall aims of the Programme.
The Pathology Directorate in the Trust is highly dependent on IT systems to support the delivery of the clinical service to patients.
Key IT systems across Cellular Pathology include Picture Archiving Communication System - PACS, Synoptic Reporting and interfaces with Laboratory Information Systems, Laboratory Tracking Systems and systems across WYAAT.
There are likely to be in excess of 150 staff across WYAAT with the majority of these being users who use the system on a daily basis.
PACS is a clinical system installed, it is used across the region by clinicians to deliver patient care by enabling images and results to be available 24 hours per day at any PC.
The post holder will be responsible for the management and performance of these operational systems, ensuring that they meet agreed standards and are developed to meet the evolving requirements, within the constraints of existing contracts.
A key element to the job is the development of data analysis, information management and reporting mechanisms to meet the needs of the NPIC programme and partner Trusts.
The role will include the management and reporting of a broad range of current information to support both clinical and business functions and commissioner requirements.
The post holder will also provide comprehensive management support to the Programme and across the region and will have responsibility for the leadership and performance of a team of technical and information staff and will ensure that services are delivered within budget to agreed quality standards.
The post holder will work in a complex environment and must ensure that effective communications are established and maintained across the region, all Trust IT, and service users.
To lead on the information strategy planning for the NPIC Programme ensuring the provision of an information and analysis service to meet the specific needs of the Programme and other service users both internal and external.
Accountable for the effective operational management and performance of all current systems within the NPIC Programme such as PACS, synoptic reporting, internal data warehouse and all interfaces between the various systems as well as any future developments.
Manage a team of staff to deliver IT and Information services.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Operational Management The post-holder will be accountable for the management, development and maintenance of several IT systems within the NPIC Programme.
They will ensure these systems function to meet the aims of the Programme and the Trust and to ensure they evolve in line with new developments and associated demand.
They will have in depth specialist knowledge of information systems and PACS.
The post holder will be responsible for planning, implementing and managing system upgrades and expansion adding additional modalities, electronic test ordering.
Accountable for management of system interfaces in collaboration with system suppliers, regional departments, supplier teams and Trust IT services locally and across the Region Establish and lead a cross-team Technical Group incorporating support staff for LIMS and PACS and associated IT technical support, Data Communications and Information Governance staff to ensure good communications and collaborative working Manage image sharing requirements and data anonymisation with partners and with Independent Sector Healthcare providers, ensuring local storage is not compromised.
Establish and maintain appropriate escalation procedures.
Manage System Recovery Team following any down-time either planned or otherwise Maintain Service Continuity Plan and ensure responsible staff are fully briefed Review functionality and usage of the systems to ensure benefits realised Responsible for system availability management Initiate appropriate change management procedures as required, ensuring that the impact of any change on associated systems is acknowledged.
Initiate and manage appropriate protocols as necessary eg security Develop, authorise and implement workarounds for known system problems Prioritise Requests for Change.
Take overall responsibility for Configuration Management, ensuring appropriate documentation is up-to-date and available.
Maintain system risk and issue logs and manage appropriately to minimise risk and resolve issues.
Undertake proactive work to ensure a climate of Continual Service Improvement Responsible for all change, release and deployment activities Carry out post implementation reviews as appropriate Ensure integrity of system back-up, archive and recovery plans Implement and manage a Helpdesk service Information Management To lead, manage and develop the Information Strategy for the NPIC Programme To be responsible for the operation of all IT systems within NPIC Programme and integration with Regional/National systems Analyse, interpret and resolve highly complex problems where there may be conflicting opinions To be responsible for the provision of an efficient and accurate information and analysis service to the NPIC Programme and Regional Trusts, the Department of Health and other agencies To analyse and provide a central resource of information To create, design and present highly complex information reports to a wide range of audiences including internal and external staff.
To contribute to the NPIC Performance reports Access Management To ensure compliance with the relevant information security policies, ensuring that activities are in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other legislation and regulations related to information security.
To provide guidance on Data Protection matters to the NPIC Programme as required Accountable for disclosure or destruction of data held in the database systems in accordance with all relevant legislation Quality Management To develop and implement strategies and systems for quality assurance, providing feedback, development and support as necessary.
Responsibility for and monitoring of information quality assurance Training/Communication Ensure that relevant training programmes are in place and delivered effectively Responsible for the delivery of specialist technical training as required Establish and lead a Regional PACS User Group(s) To manage and develop a website for the NPIC Programme in line with Trust standards The post-holder will ensure effective communication channels are developed across the Trust both within the NPIC Programme, with corporate IT providers and with system Suppliers and all relevant stakeholders.
Provide technical advice and guidance in relevant Trust projects.
Financial The post holder may be the delegated budget manager for IT systems monitoring budgetary performance.
Strategy Responsible for the development of policy and procedures in relation to IT Systems which will impact across the NPIC Programme policies for the correct identification of relevant imaging on PACS.
Staff Management Accountable for the appointment, induction, management, and continued development and training of staff.
Person Specification Skills & behaviours Essential Strong leadership skills Excellent organisational and planning skills, and the ability to priorities in a high-pressure environment Able to co-ordinate and influence the activity of others to produce work within agreed time-scales and quality standards Confident and articulate, able to get across own point and negotiate in complex situations Desirable Experience in the use of risk and issue management to track and resolve ongoing project matters.
Experience of implementing information systems Experience of budget management Experience of training delivery Experience Essential In depth specialist knowledge/experience of Information Systems and PACS Knowledge of Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information and Caldicott Knowledge of the strategic direction of the NHS and an understanding of the implications of national policy including NpfIT/Connecting for Health.
Knowledge of data standards, NHS performance indicators, national targets and Standards for Better Health.
Recent experience in a senior management post Desirable Recent experience of working in Pathology, preferably within an acute NHS Trust Knowledge of local and national IT Strategy Recent experience of working in the NHS (in any sector) Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification or experience with evidence of continuing professional development Desirable ITIL Foundation Level Prince2 Project Management Foundation Level Management qualification Other Criteria Essential Willingness to work across sites as required