Lead Technical Test Specialist

The Organisation Data Service (ODS) issues and manages unique identification codes (ODS codes) and accompanying reference data for organisations that interact with any area of the health and social care system.

ODS data is used inalmost every

IT system across the NHS to support key functionality such as messaging, referrals, financial transactions, access control,reporting and analytics.

The Organisation Data Service consists of 6 teams:
Support Team (helpdesk);
Business Support/Programme Office Team;
Business Analysis;
Data Management;
Technical Team;
Projects Team. We are an end-to-end service delivery team.

An understanding of, and interest in, how reference data is integral to the functioning of health and care systems is desirable for the role. In addition, experience of working for a team delivering or interacting with APIs would be advantageous.

As an ODS Lead Test Specialist, duties are varied in that tech team is required at specific steps of a project lifecycle and engagement and communication are key. This role will:

• Plan and manage test activities within the ODS management and tech team.
• Manage and test all new and updated ODS products(90+).
• Provide specialist software testing input for ODS development projects.
• Liaise with Platform and Infrastructure team where required.
• Create when required and maintain/support all test environments owned by ODS.
• Introduce and maintain test automation for new and existing products
• Plan and execute all departmental integration testing.
• Devise and maintain automated regression testing suite.
• Manage third party pen testing requirements where required
• Define test scenarios and acceptance criteria.
• Manage user acceptance testing (UAT)
• Consult with stakeholders on new requirements.
• Report on testing activities documenting issues and risks.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

We lead the NHS in England by:

• Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
• Making the NHS a great place to work, where people can develop and make a difference
• Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
• Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation

Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and waste.

If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.

Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.

You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

• Educated to Masters Degree level, or equivalent higher education qualification or an equivalent level of experience
• ISEB/ISTQB Software Testing Foundation Certificate (Certified or Agile Tester) or equivalent recognised qualification and equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• BCS Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing, or equivalent recognised qualification and equivalent level of experience
• ISEB/ISTQB Software Testing Practitioners Certificate/Certified Tester Advanced Level, or equivalent recognised qualification and equivalent level of experience

• Working knowledge of testing within agile developments through the design and creation of complex test scenarios based on user stories and acceptance criteria, and the principles of continuous integration through automated test scripts for functional and integration, non-functional and/or data process testing.
• Proven knowledge of several complex health informatics operating systems, technical (Cloud/hardware) and data architectures, and how they interact in terms of technical and business requirements
• Proven knowledge of tools used for test automation, including bespoke, open source and commercial tools for functional and integration, non-functional and/or data process testing, including those that require coding skills in order to build a test framework
• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of technical risk management…