Biomedical Engineering Technician Apprentice

We are looking to employ two highly motivated, enthusiastic, and hardworking apprentices to join our expanding and friendly Clinical engineering team here at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.

The Clinical Engineering team is responsible for the management of medical devices throughout their lifecycle; from commissioning newly purchased devices, to periodic maintenance and breakdown repair, to the safe decommissioning of devices at the end of their lifecycle.

The post holder will be required to work predominantly across our main sites of University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, depending upon department workload demands and your own development needs. The post holder will also be expected to occasionally visit our community sites across south east London.

The medical devices that you will work with on a day to day basis will vary in their purpose; from delivering therapy and surgical care, taking physiological measurements and monitoring vital signs, providing life support, and assisting or guiding in diagnosis and treatment. As part of our clinical engineering team you will help to ensure that these devices are fit and safe to use by our clinical staff to treat our patients.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship you will have gained the required knowledge, skills, and qualifications, and acquired the necessary hands on practical experience to pursue both a fulfilling and rewarding career in the field of Clinical Engineering.

Qualifications and Training

• You will be trained to maintain and repair modern medical devices used throughout the Trust. Depending upon previous qualifications and experience the apprenticeship with last up to 4 years.

Your first year will be spent completing the Level 2 Healthcare Science Assistant award/qualification which will take place on site. Once completed you will then be enrolled onto the Level 3 Healthcare Engineering specialist technician. Both courses will be overseen by a recognised college.

During training:

• To learn and perform the duties of an Associate Clinical Technologist, under the guidance and supervision of qualified members of the Biomedical Engineering team.
• To undertake a structured and comprehensive training and education programme.

On completion of training:

• To provide technical and engineering support as part of the Clinical Engineering service catering for all general clinical areas within the Trust.

There will be a particular focus on assisting other technologists in locating and tracking medical devices, liaison with nursing staff to organise access for servicing of equipment, and carrying out basic servicing and planned maintenance.

This requires updating of records in the department equipment database so as to ensure all medical device service records and histories are accurately maintained.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Clinical Technical

1. Under the supervision of a member of Clinical Engineering, undertake repair, calibration and maintenance of a range of medical equipment located in Trust wards, department and community services.
2. Integrate conflicting elements and work to international standards and departmental quality system when identifying, evaluating and selecting solutions.
3. In association with the Head of EBME and other staff, identify customer requirements. Review requirements against safety and other standards to identify conflicting issues, and any limitations and implications.
4. Assist with the risk assessment and evaluation of devices.
5. Adapt existing equipment to meet changing customer requirements.
6. Carry out calibration and quality control on a range of medical equipment under supervision of a member of Clinical Engineering.
7. Work carried out will comply with set procedures and conform to the appropriate quality and safety standards as directed a member of Clinical Engineering.
8. Take responsibility for the quality of own work produced.

Managerial

1. Keep careful records of all work performed and complete other appropriate records.
2. Participate and have input in regular Section meetings.
3. Take care of high value tools, equipment and systems while in use by the post holder. Keep workshop facilities clear and well ordered. Ensure damage to, or faults are reported to the EBME Technicians Supervisors.
4. Propose changes to the Departmental Quality System and other policies and procedures.
5. Report to the Head of EBME any perceived deficiencies in personal training required to competently perform required duties.
6. Be familiar with and follow the Trusts incident reporting procedure.
7. Receive goods and equipment into the Section and process required paperwork.

Teaching, training and research

1. Assist in the development, clinical trials and evaluation of medical equipment.

Professional

1. Keep abreast of technical developments. Enrol in appropriate Continuing Professional Development programmes. Attend suitable seminars and courses as part of personal development and to further the work of the Department.
2. Ensure all activities are carried out within a quality framework and meet regulatory requirements, professional standards and accepted guidelines.

Miscellaneous

1. Implement and ensure compliance with an accredited Quality System in the areas of work for which the post holder carries responsibility.
2. Propose changes to Departmental Quality System and other policies and procedures.
3. Carry out all duties in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act, relevant Statutory Regulations, Approved Codes of Conduct and Local Rules.
4. Work outside normal working hours on occasion when required.
5. When working in other departments, the appointee will liaise with local heads of department, medical consultants, superintendents, senior nursing staff or their representatives as appropriate, adhering to local policies and practices. The post holder will behave courteously and professionally at all times and seek to ensure that the highest level of service is provided by Clinical Engineering.
6. Manual dexterity and good hand-eye coordination for fine adjustment of equipment settings
7. Perform other appropriate duties, which may be required from time to time by the Head of EBME

• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade A* to C/9-4) (or equivalent qualification) including Mathematics, English, and Science.
• A-levels or equivalent such as BTEC in a relevant science or engineering subjects.
• Basic understanding of Clinical Engineering settings in Hospital environment

• Experience of working on projects either in school/college or outside studies
• Work experience in Clinical Engineering

• Computer literacy (word processing, spreadsheets and databases)
• Knowledge of health and safety awareness and safe working practices.
• Confidence in the use of numerical and technical data.

• Demonstrate a willingness to undertake and complete the apprenticeship scheme.
• Show a willingness to learn and apply new skills as required.
• Show a willingness to work unsocial hours when required
• Flexible approach to introduction of change in working practices
• Professional appearance and behaviour.

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.