Clinical Engineer Fixed Term

The post holder will work as part of a small specialist team engaged in inspecting, testing, maintaining and repairing a wide range of medical equipment. He/she will have the relevant qualifications, combined with practical experience and the ability to work on his/her own initiative with sophisticated medical devices in a patient sensitive environment.

The Engineer is also expected to service and maintain equipment that is categorised to be predominantly medium-high risk in terms of patient care technology. Fault diagnosis may be undertaken whilst equipment is connected to, or in close proximity to patients.

Additional duties include mentoring junior staff and upholding team-centred working relationships within the department and across the organisation.

1.1 Undertake servicing and repair of medical devices in a safe, professional and organised manner in accordance with departmental procedures, Trust policies and manufacturers’ recommendations.

1.2 Carry out planned preventative maintenance (PPM), fault-finding, repair and calibration of medium-high risk medical equipment.

1.3 Understand the clinical applications of medical devices and have the skills necessary to discuss these issues with medical staff.

1.4 Work on devices that may have been exposed to contamination and bodily fluids and whilst exposed to mains and/or other potentially lethal voltages.

1.5 Maintain accurate equipment records maintenance records, complying with timeframes, legibility and quality of information.

1.6 Acceptance testing of new equipment to ensure compliance with appropriate standards.

1.7 Use I.T. based systems and sophisticated test equipment to calibrate, diagnose faults and upgrade medical equipment.

1.8 Promote teamwork, flexibility and versatility within the department.

Clinical Engineering is a specialist team engaged in overseeing all aspects of medical equipment management, which spans from research, design and installation, through to maintenance and eventual disposal. Incorporated within Clinical Engineering, is the Medical Equipment Library (MEL): whose primary focus is distributing medical devices where needed, in a timely manner.

Therefore, practical knowledge; relevant qualifications; technical expertise of working within such services; and familiarity with medical devices and multi-disciplinary teams across the organisation are fundamental to this position.

Accountable to the Head of Clinical Engineering for providing support within the technical and maintenance elements of managing medical equipment

Carry out servicing and repair of medical devices in a safe, professional and organised manner in accordance with departmental procedures and Trust policies. There may be instances where fault diagnosis is carried out whilst equipment is connected, or in close proximity to patients, often in stressful situations; therefore, a degree of sensitivity is required according to the environment.

Assist with the planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedule for the Trust’s medical equipment. Though not an exhaustive list, these duties include comprehensive service and repair on the following devices:

24-hr syringe drivers,

Oxygen monitors,

Humidifiers,

Sleep apnoea monitors,

Foetal Dopplers,

Patient/Baby Warming units,

Phototherapy units

Volumetric Infusion Pumps,

Syringe Pumps,

Pulse-oximeters,

Non-Invasive Blood Pressure machines

Audiology Equipment

Speech and Language Therapy aids,

§ Pathology and point-of-care testing equipment.

PPM and/or first-line callouts and repairs on the following devices: ECG machines, CPAP/Respiratory aids, Automated-External Defibrillators and Low-acuity Patient Monitors

Identify to the Line Manager and other relevant staff, any faults or potential faults on equipment that may be hazardous to patients, users or fellow engineers

Undertake installations and modifications that are considered to be non-routine, yet relevant to the individual’s responsibility.

Assist Clinical Engineer and MEL services by working towards the implementation of an ISO 9000 quality system, or equivalent recognised quality accreditation (QA) standard

Respond to urgent repair call-outs and act accordingly.

Liaise with equipment manufacturers to obtain spares and service data.

Develop relationships with equipment manufacturers and suppliers in order to attain best value and quality within the supply of products

Monitor stock-levels of appropriate components and spares, re-ordering when necessary

Observe and comply with all policies and instructions regarding health and safety, including dealing with contaminated equipment and working on equipment with high-voltages

Use the facilities and equipment provided in a proper and safe manner

Refrain from any activity that contravenes health and safety, or any action that may endanger yourself or others

Report to the Team Leader/Head of Clinical Engineering any hazards, potential hazards and/or defects, as soon as possible.