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INOVA
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"This is a 7-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day operation. CICS stays up for 21 1/2 hours a day, and users are on it the whole time."
– Jerry Malzack, Director, Data Processing
• IBM mainframes • COBOL, CICS •
• Hospital • Small shop •
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Inova, which includes Fairfax, Commonwealth, Fair Oaks, Mount Vernon, and Jefferson Hospitals, prides itself on its innovative approach to health care. Inova was the first in the area to offer services such as Urgent Care facilities for emergency care without going to a hospital, a genetics and in-vitro fertilization program, and out-patient IV services which allow patients to receive chemotherapy without staying in the hospital. Other Inova services include home health care and a heart transplant program.
Inova is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1956. They have 6,000 employees and revenues of $193 million.
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Technology
The data center has IBM 4300s and a 3090, with VM, DOS/VSE, and MVS. Most programming is in COBOL. Additional software includes CICS, CA-VOLLIE, CA-Universe (Computer Associates), Omegamon CICS (Candle Corp.), VMAP for tuning VM (IBM, and PANVALET (Pansophic). About half of the work is new development.
Inova has 25 computer professionals working in the Corporate Information Systems Division in Data Processing and Systems Development groups. The systems programming, operations center, and data communications staff fall within the Data Processing group. Applications programmers, Analysts, and the Information Center fall with the Systems Development group. Job titles include Application Programmer 1 through 4, Analyst, Senior Analyst, Systems Programmer, and Senior Systems Programmer.
A typical project was the installation of a new patient accounting package, MEDIFLEX. The project required a study to determine users' requirements, evaluation of a number of packages, customizing the parameters of the system, and writing interfaces to other in-house systems.
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Culture
There is a mix of private offices, semiprivate offices, and cubicles. All have terminals or PCs on their desks. There is virtually no need for travel. Overtime varies by position and may be compensated with compensatory time or paid straight time.
Inova emphasizes excellence in an environment of technical creativity. There is a subsidized lunchroom, a good benefits package, and pharmacy discounts.
Inova observes 7 holidays and offers 10 days of vacation to start, increasing to a maximum of 20 days. They provide medical insurance, vision and dental insurance, disability, and life insurance (one times the annual salary). After the first year of employment, Inova provides tuition reimbursement for work-related courses, up to $1,500 a year.
Inova funds a retirement plan; employees may contribute to a tax-deferred annuity program. There have been no layoffs in over 10 years.
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Candidates
Inova looks for people with several years of experience, preferably with DOS and CICS. Typically, systems programmers have 6 or 7 years of experience, applications programmers 3 to 5 years, and analysts 2 to 4 years. Application programmers must be able to help determine users' needs. Analysts should have experience in related areas, such as laboratory or financial systems, in addition to their technical backgrounds.
New employees are found through advertisements, employment agencies, and networking. Inova typically hires three or four computer professionals a year.
Most entry-level positions are filled internally. Entry-level candidates should have extensive programming school experience. College degrees are preferred, but work experience may be substitute.
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Contact
Send a resume only in response to an advertisement or a known job opening. Phone calls are accepted only for inquiries about vacancies.
Ms. Anna Marie Scavetti, Personnel Services Coordinator
(703) 321-4200
Inova
8001 Braddock Road
Springfield, Virginia 22151
Copyright 1993. Vandamere Press. Covin’s Washington Area Computer Job Guide
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