Job overview
Are you passionate about maintaining the backbone of digital infrastructure? Do you thrive on ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility? We're seeking a skilled Database Administrator (DBA) to join our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in managing our organisation's databases.
As a Database Administrator, you will be responsible for the performance, integrity, and security of our databases. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and optimise database systems that meet the evolving needs of the business.
Your expertise will drive efficient data management practices, ensuring seamless operation and accessibility of critical information.
You will be joining the Infrastructure and Technical Architecture Team, who are responsible for the design and implementation of technology solutions within Synnovis as well as providing skills across multiple disciplines.
Main duties of the job
The core responsibility of the role is to ensure the seamless operation and accessibility of critical information. The Database Administrator (DBA) plays a pivotal role in managing our organisation's databases. Collaborating with cross-functional teams in designing, implementing, and optimising database systems to meet business needs.
Summary of the key responsibilities are:
§Design, implement, and maintain database systems that align with business requirements and performance objectives.
§Monitor database performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimise queries for enhanced efficiency and scalability.
§Implement robust security measures to safeguard sensitive data, including access control, encryption, and compliance with regulatory standards.
§Develop and maintain backup and recovery strategies to minimise data loss and ensure business continuity in the event of system failures or disasters.
§Perform routine maintenance tasks, apply patches, and coordinate database upgrades to ensure system reliability and compatibility with emerging technologies.
§Diagnose and resolve database-related issues in a timely manner, collaborating with technical teams to implement effective solutions.
§Maintain comprehensive documentation of database configurations, procedures, and best practices. Provide training and support to end-users as needed.
Working for our organisation
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
In addition to the role proving an opportunity to work on a range of applications that support the services, there are training opportunities.
You will have a suite of learning opportunities available through The Synnovis Way Development programme which is used across Synnovis to enable you to reach your potential, learn new skills and achieve your goals.
This is managed between you and your line manager in line with your own personal and professional development ambitions.
You can apply for finance to drive innovation and service development for the benefit of patients through our Innovation Accelerator Fund.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As a Database Administrator (DBA) within Synnovis, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation and performance of our SQL environment. Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of tasks, from performing daily operational checks to collaborating with development teams for optimising database schemas and application performance.
On a day-to-day basis, you will be responsible for conducting operational checks on all SQL environments, ensuring their stability and functionality. You will assist in the configuration, and maintenance of database management systems, working closely with the team to implement best practices and maintain system integrity.
A key aspect of your role will involve supporting database backup, restoration, and recovery processes to minimise downtime and safeguard data integrity. You will play a pivotal role in controlling access permissions and privileges, implementing robust security measures to protect sensitive data.
Monitoring the database environment will be another critical responsibility, as you'll need to promptly respond to system and application alerts to maintain optimal performance. Additionally, you will manage and test backup and disaster recovery procedures, ensuring readiness to handle any unexpected events.
Performance tuning will also be a significant focus area, where your expertise will be essential in optimising database performance and enhancing efficiency. Your ability to document database configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides will contribute to knowledge sharing and facilitate seamless operations within the team.
You will collaborate closely with the team lead to define structures and processes, contributing to the continuous improvement of our database management practices. Your engagement with the development team will involve analysing and optimising database schemas, queries, and application performance to enhance overall system effectiveness.
You will be at the forefront of maintaining the stability, security, and performance of the SQL environment. Your dedication to operational excellence and collaboration with various teams will be instrumental in driving our organisations success in managing and leveraging data effectively.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Conduct routine checks on all SQL environments to ensure smooth operation and identify any potential issues promptly.
2. Support database backup, restoration, and recovery process to ensure data integrity and minimise downtime.
3. Control access permissions and privileges.
4. Monitor the database environment and act upon system and application automated alerts.
5. Oversee backup and disaster recovery procedures, regularly testing them to ensure readiness and effectiveness in mitigating data loss and system downtime.
6. Perform database performance tuning activities, optimising queries, configurations, and resource allocation to enhance system efficiency and responsiveness.
7. Maintain comprehensive documentation of database configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides for reference and knowledge sharing within the team.
8. Support the team in installing, configuring, and maintaining database management systems, adhering to best practices, and ensuring system integrity.
9. Work closely with the development team, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance of database-driven applications.
Synnovis is a pathology partnership between SYNLAB UK and Ireland, and the NHS, including sites,Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to deliver and transform pathology services across South East London.
The partnership provides services to 1.7 million people living in South East London, as well as to hundreds of thousands of patients from outside the region who use local healthcare services.
The partnership provides diagnostics, testing and digital pathology for hospital trusts, GP services and other healthcare providers.
The hub is an eight-storey building, and we are working across 10 floors including the ground and lower ground floors. Synnovis’ corporate function operates from the hub on the 8th floor, above the laboratories underneath. This is a total net internal area of almost 10,000m squared across the 10 floors.
Based in Blackfriars, it’s less than a 5 minute walk from Southwark Tube or Blackfriars station and nestled closely to a vast array of entertainment and fabulous places to dine, relax and meet people.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
10. Proficiency in managing popular database management systems such as Oracle, SQL Servers
11. Strong command of SQL (Structured Query Language) for database manipulation, querying, and data retrieval, including writing complex queries, stored procedures, and triggers.
12. Experience in setting up and managing database backup, restoration, and recovery processes
Desirable criteria
13. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Experience
Essential criteria
14. The provision of new databases to hardened specification
15. Database performance tuning and maintenance
16. Database backup and restore processes
17. Database troubleshooting
18. SQL Development - ability to write basic SQL queries to troubleshoot issues
Desirable criteria
19. SolarWinds
20. Understanding of Help Desk Tools (ServiceNow)
21. Healthcare support
22. Experience with implementing operational automation.
23. Experience in designing and managing data warehouses including knowledge of dimensional modelling, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, and business intelligence tools for data analysis and reporting.
Skills & Knowledge
Essential criteria
24. Knowledge of best practices in IT and working within in an ITIL Framework.
25. To provide a professional front when dealing with colleagues at all levels.
26. Good communication skills
27. Good general knowledge of workflows within pathology and/or healthcare settings.
Desirable criteria
28. Understanding of DevOps principles and practices, including continuous integration and deployment workflows.
29. Strong interpersonal skills, including teamwork, collaboration, and the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. All applicants are welcome to apply regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, race, nationality or ethnic origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
Our Bank workers enjoy competitive market rates and flexible contract assignments across all of our sites, dependent on your availability and location.
For our Permanent workforce we offer a competitive benefits package.
All employees are entitled to:
30. Contributory pension scheme
31. Generous annual leave entitlement
32. Ground breaking development
opportunities
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All employees have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.