Job Description

Job Title Senior Network and Telecoms Engineer

Pay Band Band 7

Delivery Unit ABMU Health Board Head Quarters

Service Informatics

Department ICT Operations

Reports to (Line Manager): Network Manager

Accountable to Head of ICT Operations

(Professionally/managerially):
Safeguarding Children Training Level 2

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Our Values
In this Health Board we aspire to be driven by our values; where every person that
works for us, regardless of their role, is expected to demonstrate the values of “caring
for each other”, “working together” and “always improving”.

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Job Summary/Job Purpose

The post is based at the Health board Headquarters at Baglan and is a senior position within the
network team. The post will require travelling across the Health board sites and therefore
requires the use of a car. In some instances this may require travelling to other sites in NHS
Wales for national meetings and further for attending supplier briefings, conferences etc.

The post holder will have acquired a high level of technical skills within the network and
telecommunications environment and will have experience in mentoring staff. Technical skills
required include extensive knowledge in deploying and managing Cisco routing, Switching,
CUCM, WiFi, firewall and intrusion prevention systems.

The post holder will help design and document secure and robust networks,
telecommunications systems and associated security systems. Ensure proactive monitoring and
maintenance schedules are developed to maximise uptimes and assist the Network Manager in
strategy and policy development of these systems. As part of monitoring and optimising
services by utilising advances in technology, the post holder will identify and recommend
service improvements.

The post holder will be an advocate for knowledge sharing and collaboration within the team
and across the ICT Operations department and assist the network manager in performing
Individual Performance Reports (IPRs) for the network team, identifying training needs and
where appropriate delivery of the training or coordinating external training.

Key Tasks
 Network Team leader.
 Deputise for the IT Network Manager.
 Work closely with the Network Manager to provide expert technical advice to provide
the long term strategic plans for IP Telephony, data Network systems and cyber security.
 Deliver systems which maximise functionality and implemented in a way which
conforms to best practice in protecting the organisation from cyber security threats. 

 Provide specialist advise and produce design and policy documentation, for the efficient
and effective running of 24/7 network, IP telephony and associated security systems.
 Responsible for the day to day management of IT Network, IP Telephony, Firewall and
Intrusion prevention systems. Ensure these systems run efficiently and effectively within
the allocated resources.
 Consultant and mentor for Network Team providing specialist advice for LAN/WAN,
Wireless, VoIP and network security systems.
 Plan and organise resources and technical implementations for delivery of projects that
involve networks, network security and telecommunications.
 In conjunction with the Network Manager identify areas of improvement to support the
Health Board’s business needs.

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 Ensure the IT Network, IP Telephony and associated systems are secure and make
recommendations for increased security as appropriate and as part of the SOP process.
 Work closely with the Network manager to produce the strategic plan for delivery of
Network and IP Telephony services to support the overall IT Operations Strategy.
 Assist the Network Manager with in-depth technical plans to support projects which
potentially impact across all areas of the Health Board (and externally) in order to
deliver new/improved access and reliability to both clinical and non clinical areas.
 Work closely with the Infrastructure, Systems and Service Desk support teams in
diagnosing faults, fault rectification and delivering network services.
 Ensure all network services are installed and maintained in line with Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) and Secure System Policies (SSPs).
 Ensure Disaster recovery testing is performed in line with the schedule set out in the
SOPs.
 As a Senior Member of the IT Management Team, contribute to and participate in
developing a service which supports the Health Board’s 24/7 critical systems as
appropriate.
 Provide specialist advise in the establishment and support of IP telephony and data
communication systems across the Health Board.
 Provide and receive complex IP telephony and data network issues. Need to gain
agreement/cooperation with IT, other Health Board staff as well as third parties in
providing a solution for these issues. Agree course of action and provide direction in
order to help resolve such issues.
 Analyse, investigate and resolve complex network queries facts and compare a range of
options and make appropriate recommendations.
 Ability to analyse highly complex issues where there may or may not be any precedent
set. This may specifically be network or VoIP related but could also include elements
within Infrastructure and Systems management within the Health Board and between
other healthcare organisations (eg access to systems, virus outbreaks, firewall, IPS,
backup times, DHCP, DNS issues etc).
 Provide baseline information and trends on Network Equipment to predict future
requirements. Analyse this information to highlight areas requiring additional capacity,
resilience and security and report to Senior Management Team.
 Ensure proactive monitoring and timely support of the converged data and voice
network and security equipment. Identifying unusual trends in network traffic and act
upon these as necessary.
 Investigate complex network system problems, analyse errors and rectify faults.
 Analyse firewall and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) statistics to identify potential
rogue hardware/software and breaches in the network security.
 Technical fault finding including:
o Network and telecommunications Hardware problems to component and
firmware level.
o Network, telecommunications and Security Software configuration, compatibility
and interaction issues.

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 Identify and resolve VoIP Telephony faults, working closely with third parties.
 Work with IT Service Desk, to ensure response times for resolving network and
telecommunications faults are in line with agreed service level agreements.
 Escalate or delegate network and VoIP support issues as appropriate.
 Organise work to minimise impact on users.
 Ensure internal and external IP Telephony and IT Network Systems Service Level
Agreements (SLAs) are monitored and adhered to as appropriate.
 Ensure all changes are agreed and managed in a structured way complying with change
control under ITIL best practice.
 Be aware of the limits of one’s own and the Telecoms and Data Network Team’s
knowledge, skills and abilities.
 Assess the security impact and implications of incidents and events and report as
appropriate.
 Participate in the on call rota.

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Organisational Chart

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Communication
 Negotiate priorities on IP Telephony, Data Network and associated monitoring
and security systems with Network Manager, IT as well as non IM&T Health Board
staff.
 Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with all members of the IT
Department.
 Provide advice and guidance on IP Telephony and data network communication
issues as required by the Head of IT (Operations) and Network Manager.
 Ensure effective communication is maintained within the Network Team and
externally within Project Teams.
 Represent the Health Board on All-Wales forums and projects relating to IP
telephony and data networks as required by the Network Manager.
 Work closely with suppliers, maintenance contractors and distributors to maintain
IP telephony and data networks as appropriate.
 Liaise with Clinical and Business Managers, Switchboard Staff, Departmental
Managers, Information Managers and all users of IT throughout the organisation
and external suppliers.
 Advise Health Board personnel on IT security matters as appropriate.

Information Resources
 Integrate systems to provide a single up to date portal for example a single
telephone directory across analogue and IP Telephony systems.
 Ensure any development of Health Board data and telecommunication systems
conform to relevant NHS strategies and industry standards.
 Manage an asset database that holds an inventory of IP telephony, data network
and associated monitoring and security system hardware and software.
 Ensure all Telecommunications and Data Network logs and task lists (eg backups)
are monitored and kept up to date. Escalate exceptions to the Network Manager as
appropriate.
 Adhere to the departmental electronic filing structures and contribute to the
establishment and review of standards for the use of electronic filing across the
Directorate.
 Comply with relevant legislation in relation to General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR), Governance, Caldicott principles, confidentiality, Human Rights Act,
Freedom of Information Act etc and the latest E-policies.
 Create reports on security, IPT, network and monitoring systems as directed by
the Network Manager, both ad-hoc and agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
 Undertake the Technical representative role on IT and telecommunications
Projects as required by the Network Manager.
 Contribute to and participate in Directorate forums in order to update Directorate
staff on any Information issues.

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Financial & People Management
 Participate in the recruitment process of network teams posts as required by the
Network Manager.
 Allocate work to the network team and plan for project resources.
 Develop and deliver training programmes for the network support team.
 Develop and deliver formal, technical IT presentations to groups of staff – both
internally and externally.
 Advise and train staff in the effective use of LAN, WAN, VoIP, IPS and firewall
equipment.

Research and Development

 Make regular use of the IT test laboratory to undertake equipment testing and
configuration changes for IP Telephony, data network and associated monitoring
and security systems.
 Undertake testing of new hardware and software for network, IP
telecommunication and security systems.

Policy and Service Development

 Develop, implement and ensure compliance with IP telephony, network, firewall,

IPS and monitoring system policies.
 Ensure Informatics policies and procedures are implemented within the network
team, propose changes as appropriate.
 Ensure Directorate administrative processes are adhered to.
 Undertake evaluation and redevelop where necessary the procedures within the
service area. These redevelopments may impact on all service areas within the
Information Department and throughout the Health Board.
 Keep up to date with legislation in relation to data protection, Caldicott principles,
confidentiality, Human Rights Act, Freedom of Information Act etc and the latest
E-policies.

Service Improvement
 Propose changes to improve the existing functionality of IP telephony, network,
firewall, IPS and monitoring system. Technically assure the solution and ensure
changes are implemented as seamlessly as possible and that appropriate training
is provided to the network support team for ongoing support.

Personal Development
 Develop a personal development plan annually as part of the Personal
Development Review process .
 Keep skills up to date and relevant in order to carry out appropriate tasks in the

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 areas of project management, informatics and desktop applications.
 Use available resources (Intranet, internet, reading materials, conferences) to
keep abreast of IT developments and look for opportunities to use these
developments
 Participate in the Directorate’s Senior Forum workshops and the Trust’s
Directorate Development Programme.
 Ensure continuation of personal development through appropriate formal training
as and when necessary.

Efforts and Environment

 The post holder will operate within Health and Safety, Risk Management and
Clinical Governance and Information Governance guidelines.
 Review all aspects of various suppliers proposals ensuring the requirements of the
Health Board are realised by careful negotiation.
 Provide Informatics advice, where no precedent exists, which involves the
analysis, interpretation and resolution of highly complex informatics concepts and
problems, that requires the evaluation of a range of options/factors in order to
achieve organisational objectives and goals.
 The post holder will communicate to large groups, including but not limited to
Health Board Executives, ABMU HB Programme representatives, Consultants,
Nurses, Technicians, Senior Managers and Administrative staff using presentation
aids and facilitation techniques. Including where there are barriers to
understanding in order to achieve positive outcomes.
 Represent the Directorate by actively participating in Health Board and All Wales
wide Committees and Groups
 Identify and report potential risks for inclusion onto the Directorate’s Risk register.
 Be responsible for the health and safety of staff and identify and report on
hazards /incidents within the workplace
 As a member of the Directorate, contribute to a seamless response to the needs
of the Health Board and its Directors, maintaining a professional approach and
leading by example at all times.
 Promote the department and the Directorate at all times.

General Considerations
 Performance Reviews/Performance Obligation: The post holder will be
expected to participate in the Health Boards individual performance review
process to ensure continued professional development.

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 Job Limitations: At no time should the post holder work outside their defined
level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this, they
should immediately discuss them with their Manager / Supervisor /
Consultant. All staff have a responsibility to inform those supervising their
duties if they are not competent to perform a duty.

 Confidentiality: In line with the Data Protection Act 1998, the post holder will
be expected to maintain confidentiality in relation to personal and patient
information, as outlined in the contract of employment. The post holder may
access information only on a need to know basis in the direct discharge of
duties and divulge information only in the proper course of duties.

 Health & Safety: The post holder is required to co-operate with the health
Boards Health and Safety Policy to ensure health and safety duties and
requirements are complied with. It is the post holder’s personal responsibility
to conform to procedures, rules and codes of practice; and to use properly and
conscientiously all safety equipment, devices, protective clothing and
equipment which is fitted or made available, and to attend training courses as
required. All staff have a responsibility to access Occupational Health and
other support in times of need and advice.

 Quality Improvement: The Health Board is keen to promote an understanding

of the principles of continuous quality Improvement and encourages all staff
to undertake IQT (“Improving Quality Together”) training.

 Corporate Governance: The post holder is required to ensure the highest

standards of corporate governance and probity are maintained by ensuring all
staff work within the provision of Standards of Business Conduct, Standing
orders and Standing Financial Instructions.

 Risk Management: The Health Board is committed to protecting its staff,

patients, assets and reputation through an effective risk management process.

 Safeguarding Children: The Health Board is committed to safeguarding

children therefore all staff must attend the required level of safeguarding
children training. This post requires minimum level insert level.

 Cognitive Dysfunction: Some degree of cognitive impairment is now common

in the communities that we serve. We encourage all our staff to undertake
online training for dementia awareness, so as to understand and be
responsive to the particular needs of people with cognitive dysfunction.

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 Infection Control: The Health Board is committed to meet its obligations to
minimise infection. The post holder is required to comply with current
procedures for the control of infection, not to tolerate non-compliance by
colleagues, and to attend training in infection control provided by the Health
Board.

 Records Management: The post holder has a legal responsibility to treat all
records created, maintained, used or handled as part of their work within the
Health Board in confidence (even after an employee has left the Health
Board). This includes all records relating to patient health, financial, personal
and administrative, whether paper based or on computer. All staff have a
responsibility to consult their manager if they are have any doubts about the
correct management of records with which they work.

 Job Description: This job description is not exhaustive but is an outline and
account of the main duties. Any changes will be discussed fully with the post
holder in advance. The job description will be reviewed periodically to take
into account changes and developments in service requirements.

 For Clinical Staff Only: All clinical staff are required to comply, at all times,
with the relevant codes of practice and other requirements of the appropriate
professional organisations NMC, GMC, GDC, HCPC etc. It is the post holder’s
responsibility to ensure that they are both familiar with and adhere to these
requirements.

 No Smoking: To give all patients, visitors and staff the best chance to be
healthy, all Health Board sites including buildings and grounds are smoke-free.

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