Project and programme management

Project and programme managers in health informatics [1] work on projects such as delivering digital systems for staff to record, analyse, extract and use data for the benefit of patients; improving the way information is shared across healthcare organisations, or developing a healthcare app. 

This page has information about the opportunities and roles in project and programme management within health informatics [1].

Working life

Much of the work will involve the development and implementation of new IT systems or applications, such as on-line patient records or systems that support the integration of hospital and community services. You will be responsible for ensuring that projects are delivered within quality, time and cost constraints. 

Roles

Explore some of the roles in project and programme management in health informatics [1]:

• business analyst
• programme and project support officer
• senior project or programme manager

Business analyst

A business analyst investigates and improves an organisation’s structures, systems and processes. Their work will involve:

• interviewing key stakeholders such as healthcare professionals and senior managers 
• reviewing documentation
• monitoring current live IT systems and environments
• looking at the functionality and data structure of information systems
• analysing structures, systems processes and policies
• co-ordinating and drafting performance and similar reports of current systems
• making improvements to IT systems as a result of their analysis

Programme and project support officer

A programme and project support officer provides support to management teams for one or more programmes or projects. Their role is likely to include:

• setting up and maintaining project documentation
• producing project reports
• carrying out research and development to support the project(s) or programme(s)
• monitoring project risks and achievement of milestones.

Senior project or programme manager

A senior project or programme manager leads and manages complex projects that deliver benefits to health and healthcare. Their role is likely to include:

• planning and securing resources for the project or programme
• managing the project or programme team
• identifying and managing risks
• ensuring the project or programme stays on track and delivers on time
• building, sustaining and facilitating relationships with project or programme stakeholders

• Pay and conditions

  Most project and programme management jobs in the NHS are covered by Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales [2]. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers. ICT staff in the NHS will usually work standard hours of 37.5 per week. Terms and conditions for non-NHS employers and contractors will vary.

• Where the role can lead

  There are opportunities to progress your career into senior management roles. Most NHS organisations now have chief information officers who lead the delivery of knowledge managment systems locally. Find out more about the training and development opportunities in programme and project management [3]. 

• Job market and vacancies

  If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution [4] apply in your everyday work.

  Find out more about NHS values [5]. 

  Most NHS organisations advertise their job and apprenticeship vacancies on NHS Jobs [6]. You can find some current vacancies below. 

   

  • ICT Project Manager

    Harlow, CM20 1QX

    Salary:

    £41902.00 to £47684.00 a year per annum inclusive of 5% HCAS

    Type:

    Permanent

    Employer:

    The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

    Apply now on NHS Jobs for ICT Project Manager job (opens in a new window) [7]

  • Band 7 ICT Project Manager

    London, W2 1NY

    Salary:

    £47154.00 to £52936.00 a year Inclusive

    Type:

    Permanent

    Employer:

    Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

    Apply now on NHS Jobs for Band 7 ICT Project Manager job (opens in a new window) [8]

  • Business Analyst

    Dudley, DY1 2HQ

    Salary:

    £32306.00 to £39027.00 a year Per Annum

    Type:

    Permanent

    Employer:

    Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

    Apply now on NHS Jobs for Business Analyst job (opens in a new window) [9]

  • Finance Business Analyst

    London, NW1 2PG

    Salary:

    £47154.00 to £52936.00 a year per annum inc HCAS

    Type:

    Permanent

    Employer:

    University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

    Apply now on NHS Jobs for Finance Business Analyst job (opens in a new window) [10]

  • Business Analyst (XN07)

    St James University Hospital, LS9 7TF

    Salary:

    £40,057 to £45,839 pa

    Type:

    Permanent

    Employer:

    Informatics

    Apply now on NHS Jobs for Business Analyst (XN07) job (opens in a new window) [11]

  • Divisional Business Analyst

    Derby, DE22 3NE

    Salary:

    £47126.00 to £53219.00 a year pa

    Type:

    Permanent

    Employer:

    University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

    Apply now on NHS Jobs for Divisional Business Analyst job (opens in a new window) [12]

• Further information

  • Faculty of Clinical Informatics [13]
  • Association of Project Management [14]
  • Federation for Informatics Professionals  [15]