Bio-Medical Engineer

Job responsibilities

There is a regular requirement to maintain and repair equipment that is subject to contamination by hazardous substances and bodily fluids, and to work on equipment whilst it is exposed to mains and high voltage electrical supplies.

To be able to exercise due care and diligence whilst working on such equipment as stated above and other potentially harmful equipment used in patient treatment, such as ionising and non-ionising radiation-producing equipment, surgical lasers, defibrillators, surgical diathermies, and radio frequency therapy equipment.

To attend training courses and to update ones own technical knowledge of specialist

equipment and to update ones knowledge in respect of the specialised paediatric clinical use of such equipment. To disseminate this information to the relevant healthcare specialists as required.

To work in compliance with Department of Health guidelines and relevant standards set by statutory regulatory bodies, the Original Equipment Manufacturer, and departmental procedures.

To comply with Trust and Departmental Health and Safety policies, including reporting of all accidents, incidents, and hazards.

To participate in an annual Personal Development Review and develop a Personal Development Plan with the consultation of the line manager.

To undergo mandatory training as per Trust requirements.

To undertake the duties of more senior staff as necessary.

To undertake duties within the Equipment Library and Front Desk where required

To carry out additional duties required to meet the needs of the service as determined by the Medical Engineering Management

Communication

Communicate effectively with peers, senior colleagues, and service users on a daily basis.

To liaise with other healthcare professionals and patients/ carers on a regular basis offering advice and support relating to the service.

To communicate in a professional manner verbally, electronically and in writing.

To instruct and advise healthcare professionals and/ or clients in the correct and safe use of equipment.

Analytical Skills

To gather and interpret complex information including fault summaries to determine the cause of the failure of a device

To ensure that the technical safety of the equipment under his or her control, or jurisdiction is within the prescribed specification as laid down in the relevant statutory documents and to keep abreast of current standards, mandatory regulations, and guidelines relating to medical equipment

To observe guidelines and regulations regarding the safe and satisfactory use of highly specialised expensive test equipment and tools.

To be involved in the investigation of adverse incidents relating to medical equipment as necessary.

Planning and Organising Skills

To work to, daily work schedules, and to work with minimum supervision to professional standards

To prioritise and negotiate with other healthcare professionals in obtaining access to medical equipment to perform routine maintenance and/ or repairs at mutually convenient times.

To liaise with equipment manufacturers and external organisations regarding equipment to be returned for service and/or repair, and to organise documentation and courier where necessary.

To act on relevant safety action bulletins, hazard notices, engineering updates, and modifications with the appropriate course of action and liaise with other healthcare professionals to ensure their timely execution.

Physical Skills

To work on highly complex equipment that will require precision engineering techniques, expertise, and fine control of fine tools and small components which requires skills such as soldering, crimping, etc.

There is a requirement to be physically fit and able to lift and move heavy and/or bulky equipment. You will occasionally be required to work in hazardous conditions such as: in confined spaces, at height, in dusty environments, in the presence of loud noises, and in the presence of strong magnetic fields.

Responsibility for Policy/Service Development

To co-operate in the implementation of departmental policies and procedures as required and to be involved in the creation and updating of complex written procedures.

Responsibility for Financial and Physical Resources

To be aware of the cost implications involved in the servicing and repair of repair of medical equipment make every effort to minimise waste and improve efficiency in all aspects of the role.

To maintain agreed stock levels and progress the ordering of spare parts as and when needed. To be responsible for receiving equipment and spare parts into the department and ensuring their correct logging, storage, and distribution.

Responsibility for Human Resources

Responsibility for Information Resources

To complete all documentation, including safety tests, fault history, and commissioning records. To input this information to the Trust medical equipment management system in an accurate and timely fashion

Responsibility for Research and Development

To be involved in the evaluation, and provide advice in trials, of new equipment. To modify medical devices as per manufacturer-agreed engineering instructions and to develop one-off medical devices in conjunction with senior staff, where necessary.

Knowledge of

Essential

• Up to date knowledge of Medical Device Directive and regulations.
• Up to date knowledge of national CQC Essential standards and MHRA publications.
• Possess a working knowledge of ISO9002 or ISO9001-2000.
• To have an excellent working knowledge of medical devices electrical safety testing

Desirable

• Previous experience of multi-skilled engineering practices relating to medical devices.
• Experience of pathology and pharmacy equipment.

Experience of

Essential

• Experience of working on a broad range of Medical devices repairing to component level and specifically with experience of anaesthetic machines ventilators and specialist complex medical devices.
• To be able to interpret schematic diagrams with the purpose of fault finding and component identification.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Previous experience of multi-skilled engineering practices relating to medical devices.
• Experience of pathology and pharmacy equipment.
• Previous experience of working in an acute healthcare environment.
• Experience of participating in a 24/7 on call system.

Education and Training

Essential

• A degree or equivalent higher-level qualification plus experience in a relevant subject area.
• Hold a current driving license and have the use of a vehicle, or the ability to transport self and medical equipment for business purposes 24/7.
• Specialist medical device maintenance training delivered by manufacturer training courses.

Desirable

• A Master's Degree or equivalent higher-level qualifications in a relevant subject.
• Registered as a Clinical Technologist

Skills

Essential

• High level technical skills working on a broad range of Medical devices repairing to component level and specifically with experience of anaesthetic machines and various ventilators.
• Excellent IT/Software skills particular to problem solving and data storage relating to medical devices and patient physiological data.
• Demonstrate a flexible approach and ability to support other members of staff including passing on technical knowledge.
• To be able to operate under pressure situations and demonstrate good decision making skills whilst also being able to perform as part of a team.
• To work without supervision on a daily basis.
• Experience of working with senior clinical staff and other allied healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrate a high level of manual dexterity and manual handling skills
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams.
• To have good team working skills.
• To have proficient verbal and written communications skills.
• To be able to communicate with healthcare professional effectively using medical terminology.

Desirable

• Experience of being the lead professional in a specialist area of the service.
• Experience of training less experienced staff and inducting new members.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• To be able to work as a member of team or independently.
• Flexible approach to working.
• To interpret information from other healthcare professionals relating to equipment failure and make judgements of best course of action.
• To make judgements based on operational and financial information regarding the repair of medical devices.
• To be capable of undertaking risk assessments.
• Demonstrates commitment to the job
• Able to manage conflicting demands and plan appropriate strategy
• Act with integrity and professionalism at all times

Communication

Essential

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams.
• To be able to provide and receive complex information where tact and persuasive skills are required.
• To have good team working skills.
• To have proficient verbal and written communications skills.
• To be able to communicate with healthcare professional effectively using medical terminology.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).