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Job summary

Main area
Support Specialist
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
914-BSA7247133
Employer
NHS Business Services Authority
Employer type
NHS
Site
Stella House
Town
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Salary
£37,338 - £44,962 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
03/07/2025 23:59

Employer heading

NHS Business Services Authority logo

Support Specialist

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

Join the NHS Business Service Authority as a Support Specialist! 

Are you passionate about using technology to make a real impact? Do you have experience in software support and a keen interest in supporting essential NHS services? Can you work closely with a talented and motivated team in a business-critical environment, maintaining and enhancing NHS back-office applications, if you can, and you are up for the challenge, we would love to hear from you! 

What do we offer?
•    27 days leave (increasing with length of service) plus 8 bank holidays
•    Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
•    Flexi time
•    Hybrid working model (we are currently working largely remotely)
•    Career development
•    Active wellbeing and inclusion networks
•    Excellent pension (20.6% employer contribution)
•    NHS Car lease scheme
•    Access to a wide range of benefits and high street discounts!

Main duties of the job

As a Support Specialist your main duties will be:  

•  Ensuring critical NHS BSA back-office applications are supported and maintained to exceptional standards. These systems support thousands of current and past NHS employees.

•  You will be leading and developing a team of diverse IT professionals who work to exacting standards and SLA's.

•  You will also be working with internal and external stakeholders ensuring the delivery of outstanding service, resolving issues and enquiries from users and stakeholders on a daily basis. 

Working for our organisation

Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.

We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we’re proud to be part of something meaningful, that touches millions of lives.

We design our services around customer needs and place people at the heart of our organisation. That’s why when you join us, you’ll be empowered and supported to help your career grow.

As one of the UK’s Best Big Companies to work for, we’re connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.

We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every colleague is heard, supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, and you can join our Lived Experience Networks who help us bring our authentic selves to work.

We’re committed to being a flexible employer and we try to offer a working pattern that suits you where possible, through hybrid working, flexible hours and more.

Alongside a competitive salary with pay progression, we offer a people-centric benefits package, connecting you to the rewards and benefits you value most!

Ready to join us in delivering business service excellence to the NHS, helping people live longer, healthier lives? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.

We are people connected to care

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

In this role, you are accountable for

1.    Analyses, interprets and reports information and knowledge of technical subjects and concepts to influence decisions.

2.    Applies the appropriate methods and procedures for the development and testing of systems. 

3.    Designs, develops, enhances, tests, implements and documents BSA IT services to meet stated requirements. 

4.    Monitors and supports the efficient and effective running of bespoke, third-party and mixed services. Uses incident, problem, request and 
change management processes and systems to support successful implementation of system enhancements and fault resolutions. 

5.    Possesses an advanced skill-level in the technologies (methodologies, languages etc) which have been adopted by BSA Technology 
Solutions. 

6.    Supporting multiple BSA business services – together with an understanding of the wider organisation and strategy – to identify and meet 
business requirements. 

7.    Analyses and resolves a wide range of highly complex non-routine business problems by applying an analytical, creative and systematic 
approach, escalating issues where relevant. 

8.    Resolves conflicting requirements and produces and presents a range of solutions to customers, managers and peers. Makes 
recommendations which influence key decisions within and outside own area (eg service design, reporting, training, operational activity). 

9.    Uses initiative to make decisions on complex technical matters, communicating this to colleagues and management. 

10.    Supervises, trains, and mentors existing team members and assists customers to develop skills. 

11.    Establishes and maintains communication with internal and external stakeholders about difficult or complex matters overcoming any 
problems in communication, and communicates effectively at all levels to both technical and non-technical audiences, verbally and in writing. 

12.    Plans and takes responsibility for the work of self and others to achieve given objectives. Co-ordinates this work, including customer 
liaison, quality reviews, meetings, implementation and testing activity across a number of teams and functions. 

13.    Manage time effectively when required to work on a number of tasks in parallel. Adjusts plans as appropriate to take account of conflicting 
priorities and deadlines. 

14.    Produces documentation (such as operating instructions and user guides) at an appropriate level for technical and non-technical 
audiences. 

15.    Selects appropriate methods, tools and applications for application development, test and support. 

16.    Analyses, interprets and presents information from various sources about complex subjects to influence key decisions. 

17.    Participate in partnership working with other individuals, groups and agencies inside and outside the NHS BSA. 

18.    Operates in a quality-oriented environment and continually seeks to improve customer service by examining and recommending changes 
to procedures, policies & services. 

19.    Carries out research and development work to support future business needs whilst maintaining knowledge of market trends and an 
understanding of emerging technologies and business opportunities to assess their relevance and application to the BSA. 

20.    Takes responsibility for personal development and actively seeks development opportunities. 

21.    Works out of normal working hours as determined by business needs. Participates in on-call rotas as necessary. 

22.    Deputises for their line manager within appropriately allocated areas of responsibility as required. 

23.    Contributes towards the development of future work plans and requirements. Assists the planning process by producing time & resource 
estimates. 

24.    Monitors own and others’ health, safety and security in accordance with BSA policies. 

25.    Ensures own actions support equality, diversity and rights.


In addition to the above accountabilities, as post holder you are expected to
1.    Undertake additional duties and responsibilities in line with the purpose of your role and as agreed by your line manager.
2.    Demonstrate NHSBSA values and core capabilities in all aspects of your work.
3.    Encourage an environment where your own and colleagues’ safety and well-being is promoted.
4.    Contribute to a culture which values diversity and inclusion.
5.    Follow NHSBSA policies, procedures, and protocols as they apply to your role.

 

Working relationships

Responsible to: Digital Support Manager

Key relationships and connections
1.    Digital Leadership Team
2.    Strategic Partners 
3.    Third party software providers 
4.    End users 
5.    NHSBSA Colleagues

 

Person specification

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Works with autonomy and initiative.
  • Accountable for work of self and others.
  • Willing to move outside own comfort zone to increase knowledge and experience.
  • Able to identify and contribute to personal development opportunities.
  • Flexible, responsive and able to work effectively on multiple concurrent streams of work in a changing environment.
  • Able to work in a variety of team structures – team member, team leader, independent work.
  • Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem-solving.
  • Can plan, schedule and monitor work of self and others competently within medium-term time horizons.
  • High degree of technical and business competency. Able to absorb and effectively apply new technical information to resolve complex issues.
  • Ability to analyse, interpret and report information and knowledge related to ideas and concepts.
  • Ability to effectively communicate and work in partnership with internal and external individuals, groups and organisations.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to effectively lead, influence and develop internal and external stakeholders in area(s) of specialisation.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge and experience of a range of the following: - Design - Development - Testing - Implementation - Support
  • Experience of using standard MS Office software (eg Word, Excel)
  • Experience in developing and/or supporting IT systems
Desirable criteria
  • Experience and knowledge of one or more of the following: - Methodologies (Waterfall process, Rapid Application Development, DSDM); - Languages (Java, COBOL, PL/SQL, VB, C#); - Platforms (Unix, Windows, Internet, Intranet); - DBMS (SQL Server, Oracle, DB2); - Middleware (WebSphere, J2EE, Sharepoint)
  • Processes and tools (configuration and release management, incident and problem management).

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • IT related degree or equivalent OR
  • Significant demonstrable experience in developing and/or supporting IT systems.
Desirable criteria
  • ITIL Foundation (or equivalent)
  • Professionally recognised certification at appropriate level in area of specialism.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

LGBTQIE Top 100 2023LGBTQIE Gold Award 2023We are a Living Wage EmployerMenopause Friendly EmployerDisability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardENEI Gold '22Better Health at Work AwardStep into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedStonewall Top 100 Employers in 2023Care Confident EmployerBest Big Companies 2024Outstanding to work for 2024NFP Body's Top 5 to work for

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Neil Spurgeon
Job title
DDaT People Manager
Email address
[email protected]
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