Job summary Band 6 GP IT Lead, DDaT Team An exciting opportunity to join the NHS Somerset Digital Data and Technology Team (DDaT), focussed on support, improvement and delivery of digital hardware, systems and standards with GP Practices and Primary Care Networks across Somerset. The role is a Band 6 GP IT Lead that will focus on the technical aspects of service delivery and how these need to harmonise with and enhance service delivery within GP settings. As such, we need an individual with experience of working in a GP practice and knowledge of GP clinical systems, active use of EMIS Web would be a further advantage. We are seeking an individual with a passion for technology and a desire to build strong relationships with system providers and peers across the Somerset GP IT system to spot emerging risks, reveal and harness opportunities. This role also recognises the importance of supporting transformation and change activities as an Integrated Care System, with due consideration given and the involvement of the GP practice and PCN community in Somerset; practice and PCN GP IT leads and Digital & Transformation leads; the GP Support Unit; Primary Care Commissioning Team; Somerset Local Medical Committee and DDaT colleagues. Interviewswill be heldTuesday 1stApril Main duties of the job Examples of work include Collaboration with colleagues in the GP Support Unit, Primary Care Commissioning Team, Somerset LMC and GP Practices. Maintaining close working relations with other GP IT and ICS DDaT colleagues. Promoting the use of online systems, including the NHS App, to enable patients to access appointments, prescriptions, correspondence and records. Working alongside practices and PCNs to understand current challenges to effective service delivery and identify solutions. Building relationships to develop consensus for improvements and ensuring business and clinical staff are fully engaged throughout the process of selection, testing, implementation, and deployment of change. Working with the GP data lead officer to support development and implementation of appropriate data reporting and information sharing mechanisms. Creating and sending out technical communications to practice and PCN peers, as well as broader communications to the GP community. Co-capture and sharing benefits, feedback and learning associated with transformation activities. Delivery of transformation and change projects with, and on behalf of GP practices About us NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) is responsible for implementing a health and care strategy developed by the Integrated Care Partnership. It consists of approximately 350 staff across 8 directorates, each with multiple teams. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups, and are committed to equality of opportunity. We believe diverse organisations best reflect the communities they serve. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received before the advertised closing date. Visa sponsorship is not offered. Flexible working is available from day one, including an agile home/office-based approach. However, you will be required to work from our HQ in Yeovil for 2/3 days a week and traveling to other Somerset locations for meetings may be necessary. Please consider this before applying. Note for existing NHS Employees applying for Fixed Term vacancies at NHS Somerset If you are an existing NHS Employee and are applying for a Fixed Term role with NHS Somerset, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. You should gain agreement from your current employer before applying to allow you to be released on secondment. Please ensure the reference section confirms your current HR Department details. Thank you for your interest Date posted 05 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number D9462-SOMICB019-25 Job locations NHS Somerset ICB Wynford House, Lufton Way Yeovil Somerset BA22 8HR Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The GP IT Lead will be responsible for identifying service delivery and system improvement opportunities as well as troubleshooting and devising technical and pragmatic solutions, in tandem with practice IT leads, digital and transformation leads within practices and PCNs, and colleagues from the Somerset LMC, GP Support Unit and Primary Care Commissioning Teams, to address digital challenges as well as ambitions for innovation and use of new technology in GP IT. We are seeking an individual with a passion for technology and a desire to build strong relationships with system providers and peers across the Somerset GP IT system to spot emerging risks, reveal and harness opportunities. KEY RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE ROLE: Peer to peer contact and co-creation of communities of practice peer networks, in conjunction with the communities of practice lead from the Working Together Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) mission, with GP IT Leads embedded in Somerset GP Practices and PCN digital and transformation leads. Reviewing local systems support, assurance and compliance standards and advising practices in these disciplines. Assisting practices to establish robust digital business continuity and digital disaster recovery plans, including tabletop exercises in conjunction with EPRR colleagues and ICS partners. Keeping up to date with local and national developments in GP IT. Researching new digital products and supporting delivery of new technology in GP IT. Encouraging and promoting standardisation of systems and processes across GP IT. Gaining agreement and support for local transformation plans and activities, to support alignment with broader strategies, including the GP IT digital strategy. Delivery of transformation and change projects with, and on behalf of GP practices Contract Management Contribute to the optimisation of service delivery through GP IT service contracts. Assess future changes to contribute to the GP IT Strategy and resultant action plan. Provide clinical systems support and consultancy across Somerset GP IT, in tandem with local GP IT leads, practice managers and system providers, to enable and ensure continuous availability, maintenance and smooth running of installed systems. Optimise digital system tools to reveal useful analytical and report data. Co-audit EMIS Web with practice IT leads to highlight areas for improvement and relevant action as well as identifying areas of concern and themes and suggesting potential solutions. Support practice-based data quality checks to inform wider learning and improvement. Support and facilitate digital system learning and development sessions. Work in partnership with practices and PCNs to identify relevant data sets and support standardisation in the use of measures for understanding change and improvement in general practice. Link with the tier 1 IT Service Desk function and tier 2 support functions, covering application support, transformation, and configuration. Oversee operational service and network dashboards, onwards communicate issues and escalate where required. Assess, communicate and monitor operational upgrades to core clinical systems across GP IT. Stakeholder Management Collaborate with colleagues in the GP Support Unit, Primary Care Commissioning Team, Somerset LMC and GP Practices. Maintain close working relations with other GP IT and ICS DDaT colleagues. Promote the use of online systems, including the NHS App, to enable patients to access appointments, prescriptions, correspondence and records. Work alongside practices and PCNs to understand current challenges to effective service delivery and identify solutions. Build relationships to develop consensus for improvements and to ensure business and clinical staff are fully engaged throughout the process of selection, testing, implementation, and deployment of change. Work with the GP data lead officer to support development and implementation of appropriate data reporting and information sharing mechanisms. Create and send out technical communications to practice and PCN peers, as well as broader communications to the GP community. Co-capture and share benefits, feedback and learning associated with transformation activities. Management Monitor and ensure DDaT active GP IT projects are delivered to agreed standards. Ensure actions, risks, issues, change control notices, highlight reports, clinical safety signoff and other relevant items pertaining to each GP IT digital project are well documented, monitored and controlled. Actively shape and support action plans to address areas of improvement arising from the annual Digital Maturity Assessment and GP Operating Model changes. Drive the planning and prioritisation of changes that will improve delivery of care and improve patient and staff experience in practices and PCNs. Information Governance Ensure compliance with Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) requirements across GP practices. Encourage all future Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) adopted across the GP Practices are Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) certified, and engage with relevant parties from Procurement, DDaT, Compliance and Clinical teams to complete DTAC assessments. Engage with the ICS DDaT Information Security and Compliance function to ensure that digital tools adopted across the GP Practices are compliant with the ICS cyber security, data privacy and data ethics standards. Leadership Values Internal and external stakeholder management skills. Strong vendor management and partner relation skills. Troubleshoot and identify opportunities for improvement through technical forums. Finance Comply with the ICSs Financial Approval Process. Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency seeking innovative ways to improved care delivery in a clinically and financially sustainable model. Knowledge/Skills You can offer recommendations on the best processes and systems to use. You can advise on tasks and data issues nested in EMIS. You can champion best practice and identify improvements to current approaches. You can use appropriate approaches for assessing current and future processes and the needs for change. Communication You can present findings and recommendations in clear ways to communicate complex messages. You can build long-term strategic relationships. You can influence stakeholders and manage relationships effectively. You can communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders. You can work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals. Analysis & Judgement You can identify opportunities to use new digital technologies to enhance service delivery and person care. You can describe and work within environmental constraints, finding the most appropriate solution for users. You can identify opportunities for process improvement through the use of existing and new technology within GP practice settings. Planning & Organisational Skills You can facilitate and determine the most appropriate technical solution(s) to suit the setting. You can help to ensure projects or initiatives are delivered on time to quality standards and in a cost-effective manner, adjusting plans as required. You can help to plan training delivery and communications for a new solution. Policy & Service Development You can contribute to the development of the GP IT service. Finance You are able to check and code invoices related to work completed, ready for approval / authorisation. HR You can help to deliver training to staff on new systems. You can mentor staff within the DDaT team and within GP practice settings as appropriate. You have the ability to inspire and influence others through delivery of the appropriate values and behaviours. Information Resources You can help to understand how to re-design and adapt systems for improved service delivery. You can draft reports and briefing papers for all levels of governance forums. Research & Development You can contribute to the collection of information and creation of recommendations for improvements. You can check review data to ensure it is accurate. Autonomy/Freedom to Act You will use your initiative on a regular basis. You have the ability to prioritise your own work and approach new tasks flexibly. You can demonstrate a very strong knowledge of security and data privacy when it comes to personal information. Mental Effort You can quickly read and interpret documents from a range of sources and distil to what is relevant. You can absorb conflicting information and use it to produce technical and service-based options. Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The GP IT Lead will be responsible for identifying service delivery and system improvement opportunities as well as troubleshooting and devising technical and pragmatic solutions, in tandem with practice IT leads, digital and transformation leads within practices and PCNs, and colleagues from the Somerset LMC, GP Support Unit and Primary Care Commissioning Teams, to address digital challenges as well as ambitions for innovation and use of new technology in GP IT. We are seeking an individual with a passion for technology and a desire to build strong relationships with system providers and peers across the Somerset GP IT system to spot emerging risks, reveal and harness opportunities. KEY RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE ROLE: Peer to peer contact and co-creation of communities of practice peer networks, in conjunction with the communities of practice lead from the Working Together Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) mission, with GP IT Leads embedded in Somerset GP Practices and PCN digital and transformation leads. Reviewing local systems support, assurance and compliance standards and advising practices in these disciplines. Assisting practices to establish robust digital business continuity and digital disaster recovery plans, including tabletop exercises in conjunction with EPRR colleagues and ICS partners. Keeping up to date with local and national developments in GP IT. Researching new digital products and supporting delivery of new technology in GP IT. Encouraging and promoting standardisation of systems and processes across GP IT. Gaining agreement and support for local transformation plans and activities, to support alignment with broader strategies, including the GP IT digital strategy. Delivery of transformation and change projects with, and on behalf of GP practices Contract Management Contribute to the optimisation of service delivery through GP IT service contracts. Assess future changes to contribute to the GP IT Strategy and resultant action plan. Provide clinical systems support and consultancy across Somerset GP IT, in tandem with local GP IT leads, practice managers and system providers, to enable and ensure continuous availability, maintenance and smooth running of installed systems. Optimise digital system tools to reveal useful analytical and report data. Co-audit EMIS Web with practice IT leads to highlight areas for improvement and relevant action as well as identifying areas of concern and themes and suggesting potential solutions. Support practice-based data quality checks to inform wider learning and improvement. Support and facilitate digital system learning and development sessions. Work in partnership with practices and PCNs to identify relevant data sets and support standardisation in the use of measures for understanding change and improvement in general practice. Link with the tier 1 IT Service Desk function and tier 2 support functions, covering application support, transformation, and configuration. Oversee operational service and network dashboards, onwards communicate issues and escalate where required. Assess, communicate and monitor operational upgrades to core clinical systems across GP IT. Stakeholder Management Collaborate with colleagues in the GP Support Unit, Primary Care Commissioning Team, Somerset LMC and GP Practices. Maintain close working relations with other GP IT and ICS DDaT colleagues. Promote the use of online systems, including the NHS App, to enable patients to access appointments, prescriptions, correspondence and records. Work alongside practices and PCNs to understand current challenges to effective service delivery and identify solutions. Build relationships to develop consensus for improvements and to ensure business and clinical staff are fully engaged throughout the process of selection, testing, implementation, and deployment of change. Work with the GP data lead officer to support development and implementation of appropriate data reporting and information sharing mechanisms. Create and send out technical communications to practice and PCN peers, as well as broader communications to the GP community. Co-capture and share benefits, feedback and learning associated with transformation activities. Management Monitor and ensure DDaT active GP IT projects are delivered to agreed standards. Ensure actions, risks, issues, change control notices, highlight reports, clinical safety signoff and other relevant items pertaining to each GP IT digital project are well documented, monitored and controlled. Actively shape and support action plans to address areas of improvement arising from the annual Digital Maturity Assessment and GP Operating Model changes. Drive the planning and prioritisation of changes that will improve delivery of care and improve patient and staff experience in practices and PCNs. Information Governance Ensure compliance with Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) requirements across GP practices. Encourage all future Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) adopted across the GP Practices are Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) certified, and engage with relevant parties from Procurement, DDaT, Compliance and Clinical teams to complete DTAC assessments. Engage with the ICS DDaT Information Security and Compliance function to ensure that digital tools adopted across the GP Practices are compliant with the ICS cyber security, data privacy and data ethics standards. Leadership Values Internal and external stakeholder management skills. Strong vendor management and partner relation skills. Troubleshoot and identify opportunities for improvement through technical forums. Finance Comply with the ICSs Financial Approval Process. Constantly strive for value for money and greater efficiency seeking innovative ways to improved care delivery in a clinically and financially sustainable model. Knowledge/Skills You can offer recommendations on the best processes and systems to use. You can advise on tasks and data issues nested in EMIS. You can champion best practice and identify improvements to current approaches. You can use appropriate approaches for assessing current and future processes and the needs for change. Communication You can present findings and recommendations in clear ways to communicate complex messages. You can build long-term strategic relationships. You can influence stakeholders and manage relationships effectively. You can communicate negative and positive information to stakeholders. You can work within a strategic context and communicate how activities meet strategic goals. Analysis & Judgement You can identify opportunities to use new digital technologies to enhance service delivery and person care. You can describe and work within environmental constraints, finding the most appropriate solution for users. You can identify opportunities for process improvement through the use of existing and new technology within GP practice settings. Planning & Organisational Skills You can facilitate and determine the most appropriate technical solution(s) to suit the setting. You can help to ensure projects or initiatives are delivered on time to quality standards and in a cost-effective manner, adjusting plans as required. You can help to plan training delivery and communications for a new solution. Policy & Service Development You can contribute to the development of the GP IT service. Finance You are able to check and code invoices related to work completed, ready for approval / authorisation. HR You can help to deliver training to staff on new systems. You can mentor staff within the DDaT team and within GP practice settings as appropriate. You have the ability to inspire and influence others through delivery of the appropriate values and behaviours. Information Resources You can help to understand how to re-design and adapt systems for improved service delivery. You can draft reports and briefing papers for all levels of governance forums. Research & Development You can contribute to the collection of information and creation of recommendations for improvements. You can check review data to ensure it is accurate. Autonomy/Freedom to Act You will use your initiative on a regular basis. You have the ability to prioritise your own work and approach new tasks flexibly. You can demonstrate a very strong knowledge of security and data privacy when it comes to personal information. Mental Effort You can quickly read and interpret documents from a range of sources and distil to what is relevant. You can absorb conflicting information and use it to produce technical and service-based options. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) Desirable A masters degree in a related subject or equivalent experience Personal Statement / Motivation for Applying Essential Please use this section to explain how you meet the additional criteria in the Personal Specification including your reasons and motivation for applying. Experience Essential You have experience of working with GP practices to deliver transformation and change programmes, including knowledge of practice management systems and how these connect and interoperate with other core systems and services used in and across primary care You can demonstrate experience of working in partnership with large, cross-functional multi-disciplinary services and teams on transformation programmes, which includes influencing senior-level management, clinicians and key stakeholders effectively You have working knowledge of ethics and standards including clinical safety, information governance, cyber security and information security You have acquired sufficient additional post-registration knowledge through experience, and have undertaken a formal mentoring or preceptorship, to achieve a level of knowledge allowing autonomous working in a range of settings. You continue to develop additional specialist skills and provide advice, education or training to other professionals. You have sufficient additional knowledge gained through experience to be able to be an autonomous adviser for a directorate, team or an equivalent subject area of responsibility. You have gained through professional qualifications or experience, sufficient additional knowledge of health service specific systems and procedures to be responsible for a particular project, service delivery or function You have knowledge of a broad range of organisational policies, procedures, systems and practices to be able to provide advice to others Communication Essential Good communication skills, both written and verbally to all levels of staff and external colleagues Communicate in plain English to accommodate both IT and non-IT colleagues You can effectively involve and engage with colleagues to increase consensus and challenge assumptions You can listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders, and interpret them You can manage active and reactive communication You can translate technical concepts to non-technical audiences so they are understood by all Person Specification Qualifications Essential Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) Desirable A masters degree in a related subject or equivalent experience Personal Statement / Motivation for Applying Essential Please use this section to explain how you meet the additional criteria in the Personal Specification including your reasons and motivation for applying. Experience Essential You have experience of working with GP practices to deliver transformation and change programmes, including knowledge of practice management systems and how these connect and interoperate with other core systems and services used in and across primary care You can demonstrate experience of working in partnership with large, cross-functional multi-disciplinary services and teams on transformation programmes, which includes influencing senior-level management, clinicians and key stakeholders effectively You have working knowledge of ethics and standards including clinical safety, information governance, cyber security and information security You have acquired sufficient additional post-registration knowledge through experience, and have undertaken a formal mentoring or preceptorship, to achieve a level of knowledge allowing autonomous working in a range of settings. You continue to develop additional specialist skills and provide advice, education or training to other professionals. You have sufficient additional knowledge gained through experience to be able to be an autonomous adviser for a directorate, team or an equivalent subject area of responsibility. You have gained through professional qualifications or experience, sufficient additional knowledge of health service specific systems and procedures to be responsible for a particular project, service delivery or function You have knowledge of a broad range of organisational policies, procedures, systems and practices to be able to provide advice to others Communication Essential Good communication skills, both written and verbally to all levels of staff and external colleagues Communicate in plain English to accommodate both IT and non-IT colleagues You can effectively involve and engage with colleagues to increase consensus and challenge assumptions You can listen to the needs of technical and business stakeholders, and interpret them You can manage active and reactive communication You can translate technical concepts to non-technical audiences so they are understood by all Employer details Employer name NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board Address NHS Somerset ICB Wynford House, Lufton Way Yeovil Somerset BA22 8HR Employer's website https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)