NPIC AI Deployment Lead (XR08)

Job Summary

Would you like to be at the forefront of bringing AI into digital pathology services in the NHS, working with a team of AI Scientists and industry leading vendors to deliver cutting-edge technology on a world-leading platform?

The National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) is working to digitise pathology services across the country, whilst harnessing the associated data for research into improving patient care. NPIC's strategic vision includes the development, deployment and evaluation of AI products into a centralised national digital pathology PACS, to roll out and continuously monitor the effects of AI in the clinical setting.

The NPIC AI Deployment Lead will play a key role in setting up various AI products and algorithms, evaluating their usage and performance, and developing processes for assessing longer term impact of the tools on diagnostic accuracy. The role requires excellent project management skills, as well as exceptional communication skills to facilitate complex collaboration activities with a wide range of stakeholders.

Main Duties of the Job

The candidate will work closely with the Head of Research Infrastructure and be part of a team focused on the deployment of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. The role will be responsible for the deployment, auditing and ongoing evaluation of AI products to be integrated into NPIC digital pathology PACS and image management platforms. The role will implement machine learning operations principles to ensure that deployment is underpinned by a sound strategy for the whole of the AI life cycle. A successful candidate will have significant experience with digital pathology and be comfortable working under pressure to deliver complex technical projects with changing demands on the service. A solid understanding of the technical aspects of large-scale digital deployments is essential, and experience in developing and deploying AI tools is advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead on a diverse range of technical projects that incorporate new technologies and exploratory proof of concepts.
2. Report on various technical activities, and forecast requirements based on robust and comprehensive performance metrics.
3. Contribute to procurement activities and advise on strategic plans affecting technical research activity.
4. Develop policies and procedures for standardising workflows and managing data.
5. Develop effective working relationships with stakeholders and suppliers.
6. Horizon scan the latest developments in digital pathology systems and workflows.

About Us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has been at the forefront of Digital Pathology research and innovation for over 20 years. NPIC builds on that advanced starting position, uniting a consortium of academic, clinical and industry partners with a common vision - to create a world-leading centre for digital pathology and artificial intelligence (AI) on which a UK industrial sector can grow and thrive. NPIC is a multidisciplinary and highly motivated team that is working to deliver these challenging ambitions. As a part of this team, you can expect a supportive environment and management that is receptive to the needs of individuals, continued development through training, and opportunities to be involved in diverse aspects of a multimillion-pound program.

The NPIC AI Deployment Lead role will be based at the St James's site of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust with an opportunity for hybrid working.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date Posted

16 April 2025

Pay Scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year

Contract

Fixed term, 12 months

Working Pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference Number

C9298-DRI-0211

Job Location

St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF

Job Responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) programme, a £100m+ initiative supported by central funding from NHS England, Innovate UK and the Office for Life Sciences. NPIC has the ambition to provide a national platform to support pathology services.

The NPIC programme is expanding to create a team in the deployment of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. The team will undertake and facilitate Digital Pathology deployment across the NPIC programme with academic and industry partners. To succeed in this role the successful candidate will need substantial experience in project management and a track record of delivery. The ability to build successful networks and collaborations across a complex range of stakeholders, including industry, academia, NHS and patients.

This role requires an experienced individual who is driven, ambitious and passionate about improving patient care through the use of cutting-edge technology. The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of service re-design, policy / procedure creation & technical implementation and creation and service development. The job holder will use experience and judgement to evaluate complex requirements and implement solutions that are consistent with the overall aims of the Programme.

The post holder will manage a set of complex projects to professional standards.

The post holder will line manage a small team of specialists as well providing matrix-management of project staff.

The post holder will be responsible for the management of a substantial project budget. This will vary by project.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Responsible for the deployment, auditing and ongoing evaluation of AI products to be integrated into NPIC digital pathology PACS and image management platforms.
2. To manage a wide range of Digital projects ensuring that the deliverables are produced to the required quality, within a specified time frame, within budget and that the project organisation is consistent with the complexity of the project.
3. Use specialist knowledge, consultancy skills and experience to advise on Digital solutions and guide Trust staff on a course of action.
4. To diagnose complex Digital problems by analysing information and data in order to recommend a solution.
5. To develop, maintain and monitor plans for projects, tailoring the plans in accordance with the complexity of the project.
6. To develop business cases for securing project funding using experience to ensure that costs for all impacted departments and/or services are identified.
7. To follow Trust Standing Financial Instructions.
8. To manage the budget during the course of the project/s.
9. To use specialist knowledge for developing specifications (Output Based Specifications) where a need for Digital solution is identified. This will involve significant analytical work.
10. To develop appropriate communication plans and communicate at all levels within the organisation.
11. To facilitate or contribute to post implementation reviews.
12. To document the lessons learned from the implementations and communicate these to a wide range of staff (internal and external) either by presentation or formal report.
13. To use specialist knowledge to ensure that Digital implementations are carried out in accordance with change management best practice.
14. To develop and maintain protocols and standards for system implementation in accordance with project and change management best practice.
15. To use specialist techniques to analyse and document current working practices.
16. To use specialist techniques to either lead or contribute to appropriate changes in working practice, in order to maximise the benefits of the new system.
17. To ensure any changes to working practice and/or job roles involve the necessary consultation with managers, staff and their representatives.
18. To manage the performance of the implementation team and ensure their personal & professional development needs are addressed.
19. To ensure the implementation team adhere to specialist protocols and standards.
20. To manage the projects within budget.
21. To ensure the projects deliver measurable benefits.
22. To ensure that all NPIC projects are consistent with Prince2.
23. To ensure that change management activities are carried out in accordance with the departmental change management standards.
24. Other duties as commensurate with the grade and role as agreed with line manager.

Person Specification

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Can work autonomously to achieve agreed objectives without reference to a manager.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Capable of working with clinical & non-clinical staff at all levels.

Experience

Essential

• Can provide evidence of highly developed specialist knowledge in all aspects of application implementation and change management and to have been attained by working in a Digital environment.
• The post holder will have in depth specialist knowledge of IT procedures in the project life cycle acquired through professional training and experience.
• Has successfully introduced new or updated IM&T systems to meet user requirements.

Desirable

• Experience of development and deployment of AI in healthcare.
• Knowledge of the AI deployment life cycle.
• Knowledge of the NHS National Programme for IT.

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional or degree level qualification.
• Project management qualification.

Desirable

• Masters or higher qualification in artificial intelligence or data science, or equivalent.
• Prince 2 qualification.
• ITIL foundation qualification.

Other Criteria

Essential

• An ability to analyse and resolve highly complex IM&T problems where there is no precedent.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer Details

Employer Name: Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address: St. James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF

Employer's Website: https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/