IT Support Officer

IT Support Officer install and configure computer systems, diagnose hardware and software faults and solve technical and application problems, either over the phone or in person.

You will work across your entire organisation, supporting people with their IT enquiries, fixing computers or technical equipment, installing software, and ensuring equipment is well maintained and operates correctly.

You may work on a help desk providing direct user assistance, or over the phone, screening calls and triaging based on urgency of the problem. Much of your work is about understanding how information systems are used, and applying technical knowledge related to computer hardware or software.

IT Support Officer is also known as IT Officer, IT Administrator, IT Support.

Role Characteristics

Keep computer systems running smoothly and ensure users get the maximum benefit from them
Install and configure computer hardware operating systems and applications
Monitor and maintain computer systems and networks
Provide support in a face-to-face capacity, over the phone or via remote desktop software, helping people set up systems or resolve issues
Troubleshoot system and network problems, diagnosing and solving hardware or software faults
Prioritise and manage many open cases at one time

Skills

Advice giving
Attention to detail
Customer service
Following instructions
Operating equipment
Problem-solving

Day in the life

Find out more about what IT Support Officers do day to day.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

T-Level

An apprenticeship

How to become

There are many routes into becoming an IT Support Officer: these include apprenticeships and college courses.

You will normally need 5 GCSEs including English, maths and sciences, or equivalent.

You will normally need either A-Levels, BTEC or T-Levels depending on your preference in learning. However, volunteering and work experience is valued by employers.

You may want to complete an apprenticeship in IT, learning on the job.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

With further training, you could become a software engineer or software developer. Or you could become an IT Project Manager, leading a team of people to create new systems and projects.

You could progress within your team, becoming a Senior IT Officer, managing a team of people and working on more complicated cases.