James Hughes- Cloud Platform Engineer
Background:
I have worked in many aspects of the IT sector for over 20yrs. I currently work as a Cloud Engineer with the Cloud Platform Team in Technology & Transformation. We work collaboratively with other Technology and Transformation teams, as well as external project teams to deliver HSE Applications.
I joined the HSE in April 2020 with NSD and I am in my current role since October 2023. I live in Drogheda and my base is Southgate Drogheda. My commute to the office is approximately a 15 minute drive.
Working life:
My day generally starts early, with a role I seem to have assigned myself, as the unofficial barista of Southgate, ensuring the coffee machine is operational for all. My Cloud role then starts with a daily overview check of the Cloud Environment and services. As the only member of my Cloud team based in our office, I work collaboratively with the team nationally, via Teams, to review issues arising from our checks and any ongoing tasks. I am also a point of escalation for daily operational tasks and queries the team would receive. Our team also highlight and develop process's we feel can improve the security and stability of our environment, working with other Technology & Transformation teams on these.
Impact on patient care:
Our role impacts patient care by helping to provide a secure, stable and reliable environment for patient applications and services. This means these frontline services can be provided to the patients that need them.
Challenges involved:
Working in the ever-changing Microsoft environment, we must ensure we keep up to their latest recommended standards. Technology timelines are ever changing and I have been around long enough to know that you can only focus on your part to keep the plates spinning. Once you keep your part going, the team will keep the rest up.
The most rewarding aspects of my job:
I really enjoy working in IT and love problem solving, but I mostly enjoy getting out and meeting people. I enjoy the social interaction in the office between all the teams and helping where I can. Recently I organised a group of 20 brave Technology & Transformation staff to do Hell & Back for charity. It turned out to be a great success and we raised a lot of money for the charity Féileacáin. It was a great social event, mixing several HSE teams, who worked together on the day and we are already discussing next year’s outing.
Motivation:
My motivation will always be my family. It starts out as wanting to provide for them, but you want them to see you succeed and hopefully give them the drive to want to also.
Hobbies & Interest
I do enjoy getting out at the weekend with my family and the dogs, exploring local walks and forests. I love nothing more than a cinema trip, or a movie night with a takeaway to cap it off. I enjoy playing football when I can, and I am also a coach to my son’s soccer team.