Network Technician

Job content

This post is responsible for supporting the Network & Systems Engineers and Network Specialist in the management, investigation and resolution of a range of network related IM&T issues within the local health economy. This could take the form of incident management, service requests or involvement in project work. The successful candidate will have a keen interest in computer networks and be willing to learn new network technologies, with the support of Network and Systems team colleagues.

• Deliver a high standard of customer service in a professional manner.
• Monitor the health of the network devices and raise or rectify issues in a timely manner.
• Configure network routers, switches, and wireless access points.
• Responsible for the installation of network equipment at various locations.
• Support end users in the use of SMT to communicate their needs.
• Maintain accurate records of discussions or correspondence with customers via SMT.
• Adhere to SSHIS processes and policies.
• Support end users via guidance and use of appropriate language where required.
• Required to act independently within the departmental guidelines and decide when it is necessary to escalate issues and problems to a supervisor or a more senior technical person.
• Provide technical support to the SSHIS infrastructure in-line with the organisational objectives.
• Must work within defined departmental and national protocols/policies and professional code of condu The post holder will work to achieve agreed objectives.
• Demonstrate initiative and judgment when dealing with a wide range of network issues.
• Manage individual workload, seeking support from colleagues where appropriate.
• Advanced keyboard skills: Must have a good level of skill in the use of computer keyboards to ensure data entry is both accurate and timely.
• Occasional requirement to use road transportation.
• Maintaining a continuing interest in the field of computer networks.
• Requirement to use and look after any trust issued equipment.

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, milage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Systems and equipment

• Responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair, and safe use of expensive and complex network infrastructure assets on a day-to-day basis on behalf of customers across the Local Health Economy (LHE) and other NHS organisations/national applications.
• Must have an ability to use fine tools when dealing with internals on hardware and other technical equipment.
• Undertake testing of specific network configurations, including the hardware and software involved in those configurations.
• Provide feedback to the Network Specialist on any areas in process or technology that they feel may require improvements.

Decisions and judgements

• Making decisions in the field or raising queries with colleagues if in doubt.
• Demonstrate initiative and judgement when dealing with certain IM&T issues.
• Adapt practice to meet individual customer requirements, independently analysing situations and taking into consideration facts and interpreting these appropriately when problem solving.
• Undertake any surveys or audits of own work area.

Communication and relationships

• Liaise with colleagues and service users sensitively using good communication skills.
• Employ excellent communication skills both verbal and written particularly when communicating complex IM&T related information to own peer groups, non-technical staff, customers and suppliers.
• Responsible for the accurate recording of specific activity summaries and time on the S&SHIS SMT tool.
• Use tact, persuasion and diplomacy when explaining IT related problems to customers that may be inconvenienced. The post holder will need to be able to comprehend technical IT issues as described by customers, peer group and external suppliers in verbal and written form.
• Demonstrate network engineering knowledge or techniques to colleagues as and when required.

Physical demands of the job

• Must have a highly developed skill in the use of computer keyboards to ensure data entry is both accurate and timely.
• Continuous VDU use for long period of time and sitting in a restricted position. Must have an ability to use fine tools when dealing with internals on hardware and other technical equipment.
• May be required to occasionally carry or move equipment without aids,g.network equipment such as switches.
• May occasionally be required to work in a dusty, dirty or cramped environments when dealing with PC equipment, networking equipment or cabling runs. Frequent requirement to use road transportation.

Most challenging/difficult parts of the job

• Frequent requirement for prolonged periods of concentration, e.g. when analysing faults and failures or when checking information.
• Maintaining specialist knowledge of a range of ever-changing IT software, hardware and infrastructure.
• May be required to handle interruptions during times of concentration so as to be able to deal with queries.
• Making decisions in the field with available backup and support that can affect the availability of clinical systems used in the provision of patient care.
• Required to act independently within the departmental guidelines and decide when it is necessary to escalate issues and problems to a supervisor or a more senior technical person.
• Rare exposure to emotionally challenging circumstances.