Job summary
MEBS provides clinical and non-clinical scientific and technical services in medical equipment management to the Trust and to client health care organisations throughout Coventry and Warwickshire.
To be responsible for the scientific, technical and operational management of MEBS, a department within the Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering; Medical Equipment Library and Renal Technical Services.
To lead a department that offers highly specialist scientific and technical expertise in all aspects of Medical Equipment Management.
To develop the services to meet the needs of the Trust and other client organisations.
To co-ordinate the department's programme of research in medical equipment management and to carry out such research.
In conjunction with the Director of Clinical Physics & Bioengineering, act as the Budget Holder for the Trust Capital Medical Equipment Programme, overseeing capital bids and providing expertise to the clinical colleagues and the Trust's management team.
To act as the lead adviser to the Trust and client organisations on operational aspects of medical equipment management i.e. to interpret statutory regulations and national and international standards and to advise on policy and strategy (including training).
*Please be advised that interviews for this role are scheduled for 13th September 2023.*
Main duties of the job
Applications are invited from experienced and enthusiastic Clinical Engineers or Clinical Scientists for the post of Head of Medical Equipment & Bioengineering Services (MEBS). The post holder will lead a large team of Clinical Engineers and Technologists in providing medical equipment services to the Trust and contracted partners. The post holder will be the Trust lead for the safe use of complex medical devices and will oversee all aspects of medical equipment management including procurement through Capital purchase and via the PFI replacement programme. The post holder will be expected to work with a wide range of staff groups both within the Trust and external partners, communicating complex scientific matters and providing strategic leadership for the medical equipment management service. Travel across sites is expected.
The PFI funded University Hospital in Coventry was opened in mid 2006. This 1250 bed hospital is one of the largest and busiest teaching hospitals in the country. Under the terms of the PFI contract, the Medical Equipment and Bioengineering Service is responsible for the management of all the non-imaging medical equipment within the Trust and plays a significant role in specifying, evaluating and coordinating lifecycle replacement of this equipment. The total value of the equipment is in the region of £35m. The department is accredited to ISO 13485:2016 & EN 13485.
About us
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.
Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.
Job description
Job responsibilities
There is an active research and development programme within the department. There are close links with local universities and this provides opportunities to supervise and participate in undergraduate and postgraduate projects and related work.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and experience in a wide range of duties associated with providing a comprehensive equipment management service. As a minimum they will have held a senior or supervisory position and be able to demonstrate the necessary expertise to undertake the role as set out in the job description.
Management
To manage and oversee, within the agreed strategic objectives of the Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering, the following :
The operational activities of the Clinical Engineers, Clinical Technologists and support staff.
For all departmental staff, the definition of job roles, recruitment, appraisal, career development, training, absence, grievance and discipline.
Departmental policy and promotion of service development. Non-staff budget (in excess of £200,000).
Staff budget of the Equipment Management Service (in excess of £1,000.000). Supplies and equipment procurement.
The Trusts obligations under the PFI contract for the procurement and maintenance of medical equipment owned by Project Co (total value approximately £35M)
Service Level Agreements with client organisations.
Together with the Director of Clinical Physics & Bioengineering, act as the Trust Lead for Medical Equipment on the Capital Procurement Review Group reviewing and updating plans, as required. Working with Group Managers & Group Director of Operations, Finance Managers/Directors, Senior Accountants and other Senior Trust Staff to meet this plan.
The performance and development of the Medical Devices Safety Team
Equipment Management and Quality Control
Be responsible for ensuring that Medical Equipment is maintained to agreed standards and specifications as outlined in the ISO 13485: 2016 Quality System.
Ensure that the MEBS Quality System registration is maintained and meets requirements.
Authorise commissioning, calibration and continuing quality control procedures for medical equipment, complying with statutory regulations and Trust policy and taking into consideration national and international guidelines.
Identifying equipment usage noting areas of shortfalls and overprovision and include these, where appropriate, into the Trust Capital Equipment program or PFI replacement scheme.
Advise senior managers, medical staff and other staff at all levels in the Trust and client organisations on the specifications and suitability of medical equipment prior to purchase; including equipment necessary for diagnosis and treatment, and, in some cases, life support critical and/or highly complex equipment.
Oversee the investigation of incidents or alerts relating to medical devices via Datix, Field Safety Notices, MHRA yellow cards, CAS alerts etc. providing appropriate written reports and actions as required to ensure the safe use of medical devices.
Maintain and develop appropriate key performance indicators for MEBS in line with the Trust vision and strategy.
Policies and Procedures
Determine the strategic objectives and professional policies for MEBS within the overall agreed strategic objectives of the Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering.
Create and review as required equipment and service related Trust policies ensuring appropriate approval and publication.
Create and review as required departmental policies and procedures.
Ensure equipment management procedures comply with statutory regulations and Trust policies and conform to the recommendations of the MHRA and other relevant statutory bodies. These procedures will impact on the work of medical, nursing and other staff of the Trust and client organisations and on lease equipment providers (particularly Trust PFI partners).
For further details please see the attached job description.
Job description
Job responsibilities
There is an active research and development programme within the department. There are close links with local universities and this provides opportunities to supervise and participate in undergraduate and postgraduate projects and related work.
The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and experience in a wide range of duties associated with providing a comprehensive equipment management service. As a minimum they will have held a senior or supervisory position and be able to demonstrate the necessary expertise to undertake the role as set out in the job description.
Management
To manage and oversee, within the agreed strategic objectives of the Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering, the following :
The operational activities of the Clinical Engineers, Clinical Technologists and support staff.
For all departmental staff, the definition of job roles, recruitment, appraisal, career development, training, absence, grievance and discipline.
Departmental policy and promotion of service development. Non-staff budget (in excess of £200,000).
Staff budget of the Equipment Management Service (in excess of £1,000.000). Supplies and equipment procurement.
The Trusts obligations under the PFI contract for the procurement and maintenance of medical equipment owned by Project Co (total value approximately £35M)
Service Level Agreements with client organisations.
Together with the Director of Clinical Physics & Bioengineering, act as the Trust Lead for Medical Equipment on the Capital Procurement Review Group reviewing and updating plans, as required. Working with Group Managers & Group Director of Operations, Finance Managers/Directors, Senior Accountants and other Senior Trust Staff to meet this plan.
The performance and development of the Medical Devices Safety Team
Equipment Management and Quality Control
Be responsible for ensuring that Medical Equipment is maintained to agreed standards and specifications as outlined in the ISO 13485: 2016 Quality System.
Ensure that the MEBS Quality System registration is maintained and meets requirements.
Authorise commissioning, calibration and continuing quality control procedures for medical equipment, complying with statutory regulations and Trust policy and taking into consideration national and international guidelines.
Identifying equipment usage noting areas of shortfalls and overprovision and include these, where appropriate, into the Trust Capital Equipment program or PFI replacement scheme.
Advise senior managers, medical staff and other staff at all levels in the Trust and client organisations on the specifications and suitability of medical equipment prior to purchase; including equipment necessary for diagnosis and treatment, and, in some cases, life support critical and/or highly complex equipment.
Oversee the investigation of incidents or alerts relating to medical devices via Datix, Field Safety Notices, MHRA yellow cards, CAS alerts etc. providing appropriate written reports and actions as required to ensure the safe use of medical devices.
Maintain and develop appropriate key performance indicators for MEBS in line with the Trust vision and strategy.
Policies and Procedures
Determine the strategic objectives and professional policies for MEBS within the overall agreed strategic objectives of the Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering.
Create and review as required equipment and service related Trust policies ensuring appropriate approval and publication.
Create and review as required departmental policies and procedures.
Ensure equipment management procedures comply with statutory regulations and Trust policies and conform to the recommendations of the MHRA and other relevant statutory bodies. These procedures will impact on the work of medical, nursing and other staff of the Trust and client organisations and on lease equipment providers (particularly Trust PFI partners).
For further details please see the attached job description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Skills
Essential
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Skills
Essential
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
