Database Administrator; DBA

Job Summary

The DBA is a key member of the Digital Data & Technology (DDaT) Operations team, adding value for our patients through improving and developing information services across the Trust and wider health and care system. As the DBA you will be responsible for providing operational database services to the organisation predominantly in SQL Server. Tasks will include owning, tracking and resolving database related incidents and requests, fulfilling requests and resolving incidents within agreed timescales, reviewing service‑related reports on a daily basis to ensure service‑related issues are identified and resolved within established timescales.

You will respond to database related alerts and escalations and work with other infrastructure engineers to come up with strategic solutions to recurring problems. Key to this role is establishing and maintaining communication with the Trust's service users and wider colleagues and customers to keep them updated with status of their requests or raised issues. The role holder will proactively escalated any issues that cannot be resolved within the established time‑frames while adhering to service level agreements to the infrastructure manager.

• Knowledge and Expertise
  • Regular monitoring and custom daily checks
  • Database Development:
    Design and implement database solutions
  • Act as the Trust's subject matter expert for SQL Server
• Financial Management
  • Track costs associated with database storage, hardware, and licensing
  • Identify cost‑saving opportunities
  • Contribute to the financial planning of the IT department
• Communication and Relationships
  • Cross‑departmental collaboration
  • Serve as the key point of contact for any database‑related inquiries
• Planning and Organisation
  • Capacity and performance planning
  • Disaster recovery planning: develop and test DR plans for SQL Server
• Analytical and Judgement Skills
  • Root cause analysis on performance bottlenecks and system failures
  • Risk assessment and recommendations for improvements
• Continuous Improvement and Service Development
  • Process automation and improvement of database management processes
  • Propose and implement automated solutions for backups, monitoring, and performance tuning
• Policy and Compliance
  • Ensure activities comply with NHS standards, data protection regulations, and Trust policies
  • Maintain comprehensive records of system configurations, updates, and performance metrics
  • Prepare regular reports for senior management

• Essential
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
  • Attended recognised professional training courses (e.g. SQL) or equivalent experience
  • ITIL Certification
  • Extensive experience managing large, complex SQL Server environments, including installation, configuration, performance tuning, and disaster recovery
  • Experience working within the NHS or another healthcare setting
  • Significant experience of database performance tuning, optimisation and indexing
  • Excellent knowledge of Windows Server technologies
  • Specialist knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2016/2019, data warehouses, data integration, data migration
  • Ability to communicate complex analytical issues to data‑literate persons or groups at various levels
• Desirable
  • Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Computer Science, Data Management)
  • MSCE MCSA
  • Cloud‑based SQL services experience
  • Experience working with business intelligence departments on data warehousing

To request additional help with your application, please call the recruitment team on  or . Our primary method of communication will be via email. If you prefer another method, please inform the recruitment team.

Date posted: 06 February 2026
Pay scheme:
Agenda for change
Band:
Band 7
Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pa

Contract:

Permanent
Working pattern:
Full‑time
Reference number: COR

Job location:

Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust, London Road, Reading, RG1 5LA

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Trust
London Road
Reading
RG1 5LA

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

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