Job Summary:

Within the context of the Information Management/Information Systems (IMIS) shared services initiative between Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Providence Health Care (PHC), this is a professional level job responsible for maintaining the functioning of Community clinical information system(s) within a multi-site environment. The Systems Analyst/Designer is responsible for system maintenance, enhancement, evaluation, and design with a focus to meet Community client business needs, identifying and planning for the impact(s) of change on client departments. Prepares detailed specifications, including flowcharts showing Community system linkage, data movement and resource requirements, from which complete programs will be written. Participates on project teams and undertakes tasks as assigned. Works with vendors to ensure service levels meet corporate standards; tests and evaluates software in order to recommend products that will meet current and future needs. Provides user support, training and consultation as well as other user liaison services. Provides input into the development of policies and procedures for designated Community healthcare information systems.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Develops and maintains application programs by creating logic specifications, coding, testing, evaluating and documenting programs in accordance with established standards; ensures adequate file space is maintained by identifying and archiving data according to established procedures; ensures security measures are in place by verifying and monitoring user security assignments and liaising with co-workers responsible for maintaining systems security.
2. Ensures errors/deficiencies are corrected as required by responding to the user complaint or Help Desk report, analyzing/troubleshooting the problem, taking corrective action and testing to ensure the system meets optimum efficiency, managing client expectations and providing the required documentation.
3. Develops system design of approved projects or enhancements to a system by identifying information components involved, detailing data flow, determining the nature of changes required to interface with existing systems and developing, writing comprehensive system and operating documentation and preparing system design documents for user sign-off.
4. Determines or participates in the determination of healthcare business needs and technology requirements by methods such as interviewing department management and staff, participating in planning committees, assessing information and defining/documenting user requirements, conducting feasibility/advisability studies on proposed plans, and leading the data and process modeling activities.

5. Develops project plan and implementation schedules by developing system proposals and compiling project work plans, monitoring and controlling project plans and initiating action where required.
6. Provides information technology direction to project team members by participating in the client's planning committee as required, producing Requests for Proposals (RFP) documentation to be sent to vendors, assessing cost/benefit and feasibility/advisability of various technological and software packages, preparing cost/benefit recommendations for acquisitions and keeping informed of new developments in the industry.
7. Maintains working knowledge of current tools and techniques used in the technical environment by methods such as researching on the Web and through trade journals the current and developing applications, meeting with vendors to assess and compare future software releases with a focus to meet the client’s healthcare needs, identifying and planning for the impact(s) of changes on the client departments.
8. Provides user and Help Desk training as required by methods such as providing written instructions, conducting hands-on training on site or in a classroom setting.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience
• Graduation from a recognized degree or diploma program in Computer Science or Health Information Sciences, three years' recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Knowledge & Abilities
• Ability to plan, organize, problem solve and prioritize work.
• Ability to work in a networked environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with others effectively.
• Ability to work in a healthcare environment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to write programs in a variety of programming languages.
• Ability to utilize effectively related hardware and software.