Database Administrator

Royal Berkshire Nhs Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS trust in Reading is seeking a Database Administrator (DBA) to enhance information services across the organization. This role involves managing SQL Server operations, ensuring database performance, and maintaining compliance with all relevant standards. The successful candidate will develop effective solutions for database challenges and automate management processes. A strong commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement is essential. This position offers a great opportunity to contribute to healthcare through technology.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in SQL Server and database management.
• Experience with financial planning regarding IT expenses.
• Ability to conduct exhaustive risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage database performance and incidents.
• Develop and implement solutions for database problems.
• Ensure compliance with NHS standards and regulations.

Skills

SQL Server expertise

Database design

Cost management

Root cause analysis

Cross-departmental collaboration

Disaster recovery planning

Job description

Overview

The DBA is a key member of the Digital Data & Technology (DDaT) Operations team, adding value for our patients through improving and developing information services across the Trust and wider health and care system. As the DBA you will be responsible for providing operational database services to the organisation predominantly in SQL Server. Tasks will include owning, tracking and resolving database related incidents and requests, fulfilling requests and resolving incidents within agreed timescales, reviewing service-related reports on a daily basis to ensure service-related issues are identified and resolved within established timescales. You will respond to database related alerts and escalations and work with other infrastructure engineers to come up with strategic solutions to recurring problems. Key to this role is establishing and maintaining communication with the Trust's service users and wider colleagues and customers to keep them updated with status of their requests or raised issues. The role holder will proactively escalate any issues that cannot be resolved within the established timeframes adhering to service level agreements to the infrastructure manager.

Main duties of the job

1. Knowledge and Expertise
   Regular monitoring and custom daily checks
   Database Development: Design and implement database solutions
   Act as the Trust's subject matter expert for SQL Server
2. Financial Management
   Track the costs associated with database storage, hardware, and licensing
   Identify cost-saving opportunities
   Contribute to the financial planning of the IT department
3. Communication and Relationships
   Cross-Departmental Collaboration
   Serve as the key point of contact for any database-related inquiries
4. Planning and Organisation
   Capacity and Performance Planning
   Develop and implement strategies to ensure databases can accommodate growing data volumes and increased system usage.
   Disaster Recovery Planning: Develop and regularly test disaster recovery (DR) plans for the SQL Server environment
5. Analytical and Judgement Skills
   Perform root cause analysis on performance bottlenecks and system failures
   Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks to the SQL Server estate
6. Continuous Improvement and Service Development
   Process Automation: Continuously evaluate and improve database management processes
   Propose and implement automated solutions for tasks such as backups, monitoring, and performance tuning.
7. Policy and Compliance
   Policy Adherence: Ensure all database management activities comply with NHS standards, data protection regulations, and Trust policies.
   Audit and Documentation: Maintain comprehensive records of all database configurations

Additional statements

Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding. Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver an truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.