Interface Analyst/Engineer (Application Engineer, Sr.)

Department Overview

The mission of the Information Technology Group (ITG) is to develop, implement and maintain technology-based services and solutions which enable OHSU to effectively manage information.

The Healthcare Technical Services (HCTS) group provides technical solutions for the Healthcare Application Management Division (HAMD) through system-to-system integration using HL7 and other interface protocols. The HCTS group also provides system technical support, application technical support, network integration, managing software installation and updates, and web application development.

Function/Duties of Position

Business Analysis

• Work with database administrators, ITG support staff, management and Healthcare Vendors to perform detailed workflow analysis to develop system-to-system interface specifications.
• Work with customers, vendors and ITG to identify hardware and software resources required to implement system-to-system interfaces.
• Meet with customers on a regular basis to review specifications and prioritize interfaces.
• Develop, coordinate and perform training for customers on new or modified systems.
• Train OHSU Hospital staff or designated trainers to use new or modified systems and to instruct on various application features.

• Working with hospital department directors, managers, line staff, ITG support staff, and Healthcare Vendors, perform detailed workflow analysis to develop detailed legacy data conversion specifications.

• Work with customers, vendors and ITG to identify hardware and software resources required for data conversion into the Epic database.

Systems Engineering and Analysis

• Author and maintain an interface design guide. Train interface developers in the use of the design guide to ensure standard of use, maintainability, accuracy, security, performance, and supportability of system-to-system interfaces. Perform code review to ensure all interfaces comply with design guide standards.

• Translate system-to-system interface specifications into a working interface data flow.

• Use Epic Bridges and the Rhapsody Interface Engine to complete data mapping requirements from one system to another. Code complex filtering logic using Rhapsody Interface Engine tool set.

• Requires detailed knowledge of HL7 Interface Protocol and knowledge of the Rhapsody Interface Engine.

• Write system-to-system interface validation plans and oversee the validation effort using departmental resources and dedicated interface analysts to do the actual testing.

• Use operating systems such as UNIX and Windows to monitor system activity.

• Understand database CACHE structures in the EPIC application.

• Design and develop file off-load and reporting routines using vendor supported software.

• Coordinate the TCP/IP communication configuration used for system-to- system interface communication protocol.

• Write and maintain system documentation as needed.

• Work seamlessly with Database Administrators and System Administrators for all supported systems.

Project Management

• Responsible for the design and implementation of the system-to-system interfaces between EPIC, state and federal/state systems, and OHSU Ancillary Information Systems by developing detailed project plans with dependencies and critical path tasks.

• Track and assign tasks to team members, vendors and customers with follow up to assure that tasks are completed on schedule.

• Identify project and task completion milestones and reports to management when they are not met or are at risk.

• Schedule and prepare relevant meeting materials to conduct progress meetings.

• Attend working meetings in an organized and professional manner.

• Provide project progress reports to management.

• Responsible for coordinating tasks and taking ownership of tickets associated with various aspects of these interface projects.

System/Application Support

• Diagnose system problems and develop plans to correct problems, which may include modifications to procedures, data entry instructions, database correction proposals, writing scripts to correct interface problems, and/or modify interface engine scripts to correct errors. Work with ITG, customer, and vendor to identify problems and solutions.  Coordinate with ITG, customer, and vendor to schedule and run application fix routines and upgrades.

• Coordinate resources and systems necessary to install application software in a production and test environment, write and execute data conversion plans, write