Software Engineer

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 09 May 2024

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Job summary

We are seeking a talented Software Engineer to join our innovative project team at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). You will be part of a groundbreaking initiative to develop an AI-enabled chatbot to improve patient communication. Working in collaboration with the North Central London Cancer Alliance (NCLCA), you'll help harness the potential of artificial intelligence and Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) to enhance patient experience and operational efficiency within the NHS. This role requires a strong background in software engineering and a passion for contributing to equitable, person-centred care.

  • Experience in software development, ideally with conversational AI or large language models.
  • Familiarity with healthcare environments and an understanding of patient-centred care is desirable.
  • Strong technical skills, including proficiency in RAG architecture and Microsoft Co-Pilot Studio.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to interact with various stakeholders, both internal and external.
  • Demonstrated ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to a positive digital innovation culture.

Main duties of the job

  • Design, develop, and test a conversational AI system powered by large language models (LLMs) by 31st March 2025.
  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of clinical staff, NHS managers, researchers, and designers to create the proof of concept 'bot'.
  • Conduct user research and evaluation to ensure the AI chatbot meets patient and stakeholder needs.
  • Engage with key stakeholders in UCLH digital teams to define architectural requirements and ensure data governance and network security policies are followed.
  • Contribute to risk assessment, safe implementation, and the documentation of the project.
  • Present work at relevant local, regional, and national forums.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

  • University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
  • National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
  • Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
  • University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
  • Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
  • University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
  • The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
  • University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Date posted

25 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,488 to £57,802 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-4303

Job locations

UCLH

250 Euston Road

London

NW1 2PG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

The Grafton Way Building opened in 2021, and comprises Proton Beam Therapy, Imaging, Theatres, ITU and Haematology Inpatient Service. UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre opened in April 2012 on the site of the old EGA building on Huntley Street. The building houses HCA, The Squire Garden, Haematology/Oncology daycare, outpatients, theatres, imaging, nuclear medicine and phlebotomy. Volunteers work throughout the Cancer Centre to help provide outstanding practical, emotional and financial support to patients, their carers and loved ones. The Macmillan Support and Information Service provides a range of support and information to all patients seen and treated in the Cancer Centre, and to any other patient with cancer treated elsewhere within the Trust. The PET/MR Unit operates the UKs first PET/MR system, which includes both a PET camera and 3T MR scanner in the same physical unit so that both tests can be performed simultaneously in one single session

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

The Grafton Way Building opened in 2021, and comprises Proton Beam Therapy, Imaging, Theatres, ITU and Haematology Inpatient Service. UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre opened in April 2012 on the site of the old EGA building on Huntley Street. The building houses HCA, The Squire Garden, Haematology/Oncology daycare, outpatients, theatres, imaging, nuclear medicine and phlebotomy. Volunteers work throughout the Cancer Centre to help provide outstanding practical, emotional and financial support to patients, their carers and loved ones. The Macmillan Support and Information Service provides a range of support and information to all patients seen and treated in the Cancer Centre, and to any other patient with cancer treated elsewhere within the Trust. The PET/MR Unit operates the UKs first PET/MR system, which includes both a PET camera and 3T MR scanner in the same physical unit so that both tests can be performed simultaneously in one single session

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or other qualification or evidence of relevant on-job qualification, e.g. Informatics, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Systems Engineering at Bachelor level
  • Software Engineering, or relevant Professional IT qualification to Masters level or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of full stack software development and deployment
  • Experience of preparing detailed technical documentation
  • Experience with user interface/experience design

Desirable

  • Experience of development of conversational AI systems
  • Experience of information governance and/ or the NHS IG Toolkit
  • Experience with research governance policies and procedures (IRAS, ISAC, NHS R&D, REC)

Skills, Abilities, Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent software development skills
  • Experience with querying data using SQL and data mining
  • Very good communication skills including the ability to articulate technical content to non-technical colleagues and senior managers
  • Ability to prepare and maintain technical documentation
  • Broad range of IT technical skills and wider technical awareness

Desirable

  • Experience in coaching colleagues
  • Understanding and/or experience of clinical systems deployment in a large complex healthcare environment
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or other qualification or evidence of relevant on-job qualification, e.g. Informatics, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or Systems Engineering at Bachelor level
  • Software Engineering, or relevant Professional IT qualification to Masters level or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of full stack software development and deployment
  • Experience of preparing detailed technical documentation
  • Experience with user interface/experience design

Desirable

  • Experience of development of conversational AI systems
  • Experience of information governance and/ or the NHS IG Toolkit
  • Experience with research governance policies and procedures (IRAS, ISAC, NHS R&D, REC)

Skills, Abilities, Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent software development skills
  • Experience with querying data using SQL and data mining
  • Very good communication skills including the ability to articulate technical content to non-technical colleagues and senior managers
  • Ability to prepare and maintain technical documentation
  • Broad range of IT technical skills and wider technical awareness

Desirable

  • Experience in coaching colleagues
  • Understanding and/or experience of clinical systems deployment in a large complex healthcare environment

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

UCLH

250 Euston Road

London

NW1 2PG


Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

UCLH

250 Euston Road

London

NW1 2PG


Employer's website

https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

General Manager

Alexandra Palmer-Makowski

alexandra.palmermakowski@nhs.net

Date posted

25 April 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,488 to £57,802 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-4303

Job locations

UCLH

250 Euston Road

London

NW1 2PG


Supporting documents

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