Job responsibilities
Job Summary:
The post holder will be responsible for the corrective maintenance, preventative maintenance and calibration of a wide range of medical devices. This will include patient monitoring systems, infusion devices, electrosurgical devices, patient ventilators and anaesthetic delivery systems. In addition, the evaluation of medical devices prior to their purchase, the acceptance into use and configuration of newly delivered medical devices and the decommissioning of devices being removed from use. On occasions this work will extend to non-medical electronic devices. This will include specialist devices that are not in general use and other activity that demands proven experience and competencies.
It is expected that the post holder will work independently and have responsibility for the running of a workshop, including work scheduling, supervision and training of other technical staff. On occasions they will be challenged by work of an unpredictable nature. The ability to readily adapt to a change in priorities is a requirement for this post.
This activity will take place in departmental workshops, hospitals, and other healthcare environments including patients homes. Although based at one of the Trust hospitals, travel may be required throughout Oxfordshire, extending into neighbouring counties. It can be anticipated that patients may be present who are subject to therapy, nursing or surgical procedures.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
The post holder will adhere to all policies and procedures defined within the departmental quality management system, which is in accordance with ISO9001. Their areas of responsibility will be subject to periodic internal audits, also external audits conducted by the accreditation body.
The post holder will be required to undertake suppliers and other external training courses to enable competency to be established and maintained in the support of a wide range of medical devices. They will undertake and contribute to departmental training events. They will be expected to participate in a scheme of continuing professional development that is recognised by and registered with an appropriate professional body. The post holder will experience an annual appraisal in accordance with the current policy of the OUH Trust.
They will have specific responsibilities, defined in terms of product type or location.
They will have responsibility for the supervision of other technical staff. This level of supervision can extend to having responsibility for the supervision of a team of staff, who have defined roles in terms of product type or location.
The post holder will develop skills to use a wide range of test and measurement equipment, some of which are specific to the healthcare sector, to enable faults to be diagnosed and corrected on complex equipment, systems and specialist devices, to module or component level.
They will be responsible for investigating medical device related patient safety incidents, reporting their findings, analysis and interpretation to the Technical Services and Equipment Manager, this may involve the downloading of sensitive patient related data derived from the medical device undergoing investigation.
Their daily work will involve the inspection and interaction with delicate, high value medical devices. The correct function and availability for use of these devices has a direct effect on patient care. The ability to identify and manipulate small, delicate electronic and mechanical components, using optical magnification equipment where necessary is a requirement for this post.
The post holder will be responsible for establishing effective communication with the customer, suppliers and other disciplines within the organisation, including advising the customer of any delay in the return of equipment to service. On occasions this will involve presenting technical information to senior nursing and clinical staff. It is expected that technical and supply issues will be communicated and negotiated with suppliers. This will require the use of e-mail, the telephone and other methods of communication as necessary.
They will be responsible for taking the lead role in projects, including those relating to the development of services concerning medical devices and evaluation of medical devices prior to purchase. It is envisaged that such work will require a high degree of analysis, planning, investigation and reporting.
The post holder will be responsible for communicating with senior nursing and clinical staff in defining, recording and controlling configurations of medical devices.
They will be responsible for the planning and prioritisation of their own workload and that of any member(s) of staff that they are supervising to achieve the optimum contribution to meeting the current departmental quality objectives.
They will be responsible for updating details on the computerised equipment management system relating to any work that has been allocated to them. They will maintain accurate, legible and retrievable records relating to the work that they have undertaken. They will complete requisitions to initiate the procurement of spares and external services for which a requirement has been identified.
The post holder will be responsible for the generation of work instructions and maintenance checklists, as directed by the Technical Services and Equipment Manager.
They will be responsible for the safe retrieval of medical devices from the clinical environment to a suitable location where technical activity can be conducted, followed by their subsequent timely return upon completion of service.
A range of moving and handling aids and a departmental vehicle are available to support this aspect of activity. The departmental infection control policy is to be followed at all times to reduce the risk of personal harm and the risk of cross infection.
The post holder will be required to attend and contribute to the regular group meetings, where issues relating to service delivery, customer satisfaction, quality objectives and development of the quality management system are discussed.
General Conditions Risk Management
The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.
Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.
Staff should be familiar with the
- Major Incident Policy
- Fire Policy
- Information governance
- The local response plan and their role within that response.
Responsibilities for Health and Safety
The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.
Infection Control
Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA.
All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities:
- Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact.
- Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.
- Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.
Child Protection
The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable.
Information Governance
All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site.
Data Quality
Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance.
All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy.
