Job summary
There is a requirement for an enthusiastic person to join a small team responsible for the care, maintenance and repair of the Trust's stock of surgical and mechanical instruments and power tools covering a wide range of devices from General, Gynaecological, ENT, Dental, Laparoscopic, Ophthalmic, Neurological, Arthroscopic and Orthopaedic surgical specialities.
- Interview Date: 20 June 2025
- 37 hours 30 minutes/week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
Applicants should be qualified in a mechanical engineering discipline to HNC level or equivalent and possess a sound knowledge of current mechanical engineering techniques along with a proven mechanical aptitude. Applicants should be dexterous and have experience of working with standard mechanical hand tools, lathes, grinders, drills, taps and dies. Experience of tool cutting/grinding would be advantageous.
Previous healthcare experience and a familiarity with surgical instruments would be a benefit but not essential.
You will use a range of engineering techniques and equipment in your day to day role to maintain surgical instruments to a high level.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The Instrument Curator is responsible for the maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair of a wide and complex range of surgical instruments and power tools including General, Gynaecological, ENT, Dental, Laparoscopic, Ophthalmic, Arthroscopic and Orthopaedic Instruments requiring a sound knowledge of current mechanical engineering techniques.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- The Instrument Curator is responsible for the maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair of a wide and complex range of surgical instruments and power tools including General, Gynaecological, ENT, Dental, Laparoscopic, Ophthalmic, Arthroscopic and Orthopaedic Instruments requiring a sound knowledge of current mechanical engineering techniques.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- A comprehensive knowledge of current mechanical engineering practice is essential
- Understanding of metallurgy
- Proven machining/fabricating skills
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, in person and by telephone
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, suppliers, and customers
- Excellent analytical skills
Desirable
- Toolmaker, skilled mechanical engineer
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a mechanical maintenance/repair related discipline
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering
Desirable
- ECDL or recognised IT competency qualification
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- A comprehensive knowledge of current mechanical engineering practice is essential
- Understanding of metallurgy
- Proven machining/fabricating skills
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, in person and by telephone
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, suppliers, and customers
- Excellent analytical skills
Desirable
- Toolmaker, skilled mechanical engineer
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a mechanical maintenance/repair related discipline
Qualifications
Essential
- A minimum of a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering
Desirable
- ECDL or recognised IT competency qualification
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).
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).
