Clinical Technologist - Rehabilitation Engineering Technician
Band 5
- Main area
- 317 NMPCE - RREMS
- Grade
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week)
- Job ref
- 317-2023-17-20-DR-A
- Site
- Trustwide
- Town
- 317 01 Freeman Hospital
- Salary
- £28,407 - £34,581 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 11/06/2023 23:59
- Interview date
- 26/06/2023
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with around 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC for the second consecutive time in 2019, we have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 1.84 million patients ‘contacts’ each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Newcastle Hospitals are proud to be one of the exemplar organisations across the NHS on sustainability, with a long history of delivering Sustainable Healthcare in Newcastle (Shine) and the first healthcare organisation in the world to declare a climate emergency. Our strategy includes commitments to being Net Zero by 2030, for our direct carbon footprint, and Net Zero by 2040 for our footprint plus. Delivering these ambitions will not be possible without the help, support and action of every single member of our team.
Job overview
The Regional Rehabilitation and Mobility Service (RREMS) provides clinical engineering expertise to 12 wheelchair services across the north-east of England and North Cumbria. The team currently comprises 13 Clinical Technologists - Rehabilitation Engineers, 2 Clinical Technologists - Rehabilitation Engineering Technicians (this post) and 6 administrative staff based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough . The responsibilities of RREMS engineers and technicians include assessment, specification and provision of powered wheelchairs, undertaking engineering modifications to wheelchairs and providing the technical, biomechanical and safety related input to multidisciplinary wheelchair service teams. The service also works closely with the Approved Wheelchair Repair Contractor.
- Interview Date: 26 June 2023
- 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.
Main duties of the job
RREMS Clinical Technologists specialise in the provision of Rehabilitation Engineering which is the clinical application of engineering principles and technology within the aim to restoring or improving the physical, mental and social wellbeing of 70000 NHS wheelchair users (of which approx. 4000 have powered wheelchairs) and their carers to their maximum potential.
Applications are invited from candidates with a minimum of a HNC level qualification in an appropriate engineering discipline and have demonstrable relevant experience having completed a recognised engineering or technical apprenticeship or training course. In addition, the post holder will be required to be enrol onto IPEM Clinical Technologist Training Scheme, which will result in professional registered as a Clinical Technologist with RCT or AHCS.
RREMS Clinical Technologists work independently, or as part of multidisciplinary teams, providing specialist engineering services and technical knowledge enabling patient care.
Working for our organisation
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with over 18,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC for the second consecutive time in 2019, we have a long history of providing high quality care, clinical excellence, and innovation in medical research regionally, nationally and internationally.
We’re also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 1.84 million patients ‘contacts’ each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
RREMS is now seeking a suitably qualified capable and motivated engineer to join the team in providing the day to day aspects of the RREMS service. The successful candidate will have specialist knowledge of wheeled mobility equipment and will possess excellent communication, planning and organisational skills, well-developed patient handling skills, and will be familiar with the regulatory requirements relevant to the scope of the service. Knowledge of IT packages (Microsoft Office, 2D CAD, 3D Modelling) and experience of applying them is essential as is a full valid driving license as considerable travelling is involved on a day to day basis.
- Providing the technical aspects of RREMS.
- Ensuring the safe introduction, delivery / handover of manufactured / modified products into clinical, domestic and educational establishments.
- Providing both verbal and clear written instruction regarding its safe use.
- Working in collaboration with the appointed repair agent to monitor and report on performance activities relating to maintenance, repairs and refurbishment of manual and powered wheelchairs.
- Compliance with all relevant legislative and other national and local requirements.
- Safe and efficient operation of all engineering / scientific equipment on which you have been trained.
- Reporting of adverse incidents to appropriate organisational establishments.
- Carry out powered wheelchair environmental risk and accessibility assessments.
- Undertake other duties and responsibilities within the scope of RREMS to meet the changing needs and circumstances of the service.
- Contribute to research and development projects.
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 month’s 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
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
- HNC / HND or equivalent in an appropriate engineering discipline with relevant experience.
- The post holder must be registered as a Clinical Technologist with RCT or AHCS or working towards registration
- The post holder must hold a full, valid driving licence
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
- In depth relevant knowledge gained via a recognised apprenticeship, training scheme, experience or short courses.
- Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology relevant to area of work.
- Basic knowledge of clinical hazards and infection control.
- Good knowledge of IT software packages (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, 2D / 3D CAD) and experience of applying them.
- Good knowledge of safe moving and handling techniques in both clinical and non-clinical environment.
- Specialist knowledge and skills in medical or scientific equipment relevant to working area.
- Basic knowledge of Health & Safety procedures regarding mechanical devices e.g. Aids for Living.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the regulations surrounding the construction and testing of technical equipment.
- Ability to communicate engineering advice to all staff groups, patients or their carer’s
- Experience preferably of disability aids Experience working with clients with complex physical needs
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Literacy, numeracy and accuracy of a high order.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to communicate engineering advice to all staff groups, patients or their carer’s.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Martin Hirst
- Job title
- Head of Service - RREMS
- Email address
- martinhirst@nhs.net
- Telephone number
- 07715994271
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