Job Summary
The Database Administrator will report to the Solution Architect and be responsible for the implementation and administration of the Trust’s Database, Caboodle and Business Objects environments, which run on MS SQL Server as well as the multipurpose SQL Servers. Caboodle and Business Objects form the core of the Trust’s Data Warehouse and are therefore critical core components of the Epic system.
Maintaining high levels of availability and performance are a key to the success of the solution.
The post holder will be responsible for configuring and managing the reporting environments, and will work closely with the Business Intelligence (BI) teams in order to ensure that the environments are functioning as per the reporting requirements of the Trust. Proactive monitoring and the implementation of defined and documented processes and procedures will be required to ensure availability and performance SLAs are met.
The post holder will be required to be proactive in terms of responding to issues, engaging in capacity planning exercises, collaborating across the technical teams as well as with Epic, automating processes where possible, and participating in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity tests.
Database Administrator Main Duties
- Create and manage the SQL Server database environments, including Clarity and Caboodle, that serve reporting, production, and non-production needs
- Install, configure, and maintain databases to ensure optimal performance and integrity
- Set up and maintain tables, database views and indexes as needed
- Manage user security for the SQL Server database environments;Maintain database backups and verify restores
- Create and maintain database objects, especially as related to Epic and system updates and upgrades
- Proactive monitoring and management of the environments in order to ensure optimal performance and integrity that meets the agreed availability and quality
- Manage SQL Server and upgrades and updates to production and non-production environments. EPR upgrades occur on an 8 week cycle
- Provide ongoing BAU support for the system both in-hours and out-of-hours as part of the on-call team
- Work with the server administrators to ensure that security updates are current
- Carry out regular risk assessments of the solution in order to recommend actions to ensure that delivery of the Trust’s digital system are not compromised
- Maintain and test failover procedures to ensure high availability;Be an Epic EPR subject matter expert (SME) on the Caboodle/Clarity database technologies
- Ensure compliance with the Trust Governance Procedures, Policies and Standards for data loads and interfaces
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Manage effective relationships and communications between programme and project delivery teams and the Digital Services Division BAU teams;
- Ensure that change control procedures are embedded into all digital delivery activity;
- Effectively translate highly technical aspects of the of the Clarity and Caboodle architecture design into understandable concepts and language for other members of the Digital Services Division and programme teams;
- Analyse highly complex performance models to in order to optimise database performance and ensure non-stop availability of the environment;
- Analyse where tasks (ranging from highly complex to simple) can be automated or scripted in order to ensure consistency and efficiency, and write scripts and processes to implement that automation;
- Create and adapt plans for the delivery of database environments to meet the agreed warranted environment standards;
- Plan and deliver handover sessions for the BAU teams in order to promote understanding of the solution and provide for effective support following the implementation;
- Actively manage system monitoring reports in order to analyse root causes for problems and to implement plans to remediate them;
- Ensure that processes, procedures and architectural documentation are in place prior to go-live;
- Run highly complex database queries to extract data for audit and performance monitoring;
- Analyse and present performance monitoring data to provide assurance to the organisation and evidence requirements to influence service improvements
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Degree in a relevant subject or extensive equivalent experience
- Professional qualification at masters level or equivalent experience to Masters level (gained at senior digital/management level)
- Certification in managing and administering SQL Server
Desirable
- Epic Certification in appropriate modules
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Expert SQL Server skills in a critical operational environment
- Expert in at least one RDBMS (Oracle, MS SQL Server, Informix etc)
- Strong Windows server and virtualisation skills
- Excellent scripting knowledge with a particular focus on the creation of reusable scripts for automating routine tasks
- Experience of the IT security and other relevant areas of NHS Information Governance and DSPT requirements
- Significant experience of database administration and design in the delivery of a corporate system
Specific Skills
Essential
- Ability to plan, organise and present workshops to Trust staff
- Connects with colleagues to collaborate effectively and recognise different organisational structures and cultures
- Effective engagement, promoting teamwork and a feeling of pride by valuing individuals’ contributions and ideas
- Influences for results, using sensitivity to plan how to reach agreement about priorities, allocation of resources or approaches to service
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 27 January 2025
