Across the NHS, digital transformation projects are reshaping the way we deliver care from Electronic Patient Record (EPR) roll outs to virtual wards, AI-assisted diagnostics, and digital patient portals.
If you are a staff member interested in health technology, these initiatives present valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful change in your organisation.
Whether you are clinical, administrative, or in a support role, there are many ways to get involved and build the skills needed for a career in health tech. This article outlines nine practical pathways to participate, develop your expertise, and grow your professional profile.
1. Volunteer or Apply for a Digital Champion / Superuser Role
What it is:
Digital Champions (sometimes called “Superusers”) are staff trained to a higher level in a new system or process. They act as a bridge between the project team and colleagues, helping others adapt to change.
Why it’s valuable:
First-hand access to systems before general rollout.
Opportunities to help design workflows and training.
Visibility in digital transformation efforts.
How to get in:
Watch out for internal calls for champions.
Offer to help as a “floorwalker” during go-live to support teams directly.
2. Join a Project Workstream
Large digital projects are often divided into specialised workstreams, such as:
Clinical Documentation
Order Communications & Results
Medications Management
Data Migration & Validation
Training & Change Management
Testing & User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
Reporting & Analytics
Why it’s valuable:
You’ll gain insight into how digital systems are configured to meet NHS workflows and standards.
How to get in:
Contact the project office or digital team.
Express interest in workstreams aligned with your expertise e.g., clinical staff in documentation, admin in training, analysts in testing.
3. Participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
What it is:
The stage where staff test a system in real-life scenarios before launch.
Why it’s valuable:
Hands-on practice with the new system.
Influence over final system configurations.
Exposure to system testing methodologies.
How to get in:
Ask your line manager or the project lead when UAT is scheduled.
Volunteer to design or run test cases.
4. Support Data Cleansing and Migration
Before launching a new digital system, data often needs to be migrated from older systems but not before it’s cleaned.
Tasks may include:
Checking for duplicate records.
Completing missing information.
Validating migrated data for accuracy.
Why it’s valuable:
You’ll learn about NHS data standards like SNOMED CT and FHIR, and the crucial role of data quality in safe patient care.
5. Assist with Training Delivery
Once trained yourself, you can help colleagues learn new systems by:
Running refresher sessions.
Supporting staff in practice environments.
Acting as a point of contact for questions.
Why it’s valuable:
Teaching others consolidates your own skills and builds your confidence.
6. Attend Digital Health Events and Demonstrations
Most projects include staff engagement sessions, such as:
Lunch-and-learn talks.
System demos by suppliers.
Drop-in Q&A sessions.
Why it’s valuable:
You can learn directly from system vendors, project managers, and clinical informatics specialists and build your internal network.
7. Shadow the Project Team
If you can, ask to shadow members of the digital project team in:
Governance or steering group meetings.
Workflow design workshops.
Supplier configuration sessions.
Why it’s valuable:
You will get an inside view of how NHS projects are managed, including the decision-making process and stakeholder engagement.
8. Get Involved in Post-Go-Live Support
Once a project goes live, there’s a stabilisation phase where quick fixes and optimisations are made.
Opportunities include:
Logging and tracking issues.
Gathering user feedback.
Acting as a liaison between frontline staff and the IT team.
Why it’s valuable:
It’s a fast-paced learning environment where you see the immediate impact of digital changes.
9. Document Your Involvement
Whatever role you take on, keep a detailed record of:
Systems and tools you have used.
Training you have attended or delivered.
Problems you have helped solve.
Any workflows or documents you’ve contributed to.
Why it’s valuable:
This evidence will strengthen applications for future health tech, digital, or project management roles.
Pro Tips for Maximising Your Experience
Identify the technology vendor (e.g., Epic, Cerner, System C) and look for free resources or training to familiarise yourself with the platform.
Learn key NHS digital standards such as SNOMED CT (terminology) and FHIR (data exchange).
Stay visible and proactive: project teams value staff who step forward early.
Network intentionally: relationships built during projects can open future opportunities.
Conclusion
Digital and health tech projects are about more than software. They are about rethinking and improving care delivery. By getting involved, you not only help your organisation but also build practical skills that can propel your career into the digital health space.
Whether you join as a champion, participate in testing, or support post-go-live activities, the key is to be proactive, adaptable, and curious. Every project is a chance to learn, contribute, and grow.
See you in the next edition.
Cheers,
Dr. Ron
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