Clinical Technologist

Detailed job description and main 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 monitors, infusion devices, electrosurgical devices, patient ventilators and anaesthetic delivery systems. In addition, the acceptance into use and configuration of newly delivered medical devices and the evaluation of medical devices prior to purchase. Other duties will include tasks to support the delivery of the service, such as:

i) Audit

ii) Stock Management

iii) Administrative tasks

iv) Project support

On occasions, this work will extend to non-medical devices. This activity will take place in departmental workshops, hospitals, patient’s homes, and other healthcare environments throughout Oxfordshire, extending into neighbouring counties. It can be anticipated that patients may be present who are subject to therapy, nursing or surgical procedures. On occasions, the post holder will be required to work without any immediate managerial or supervisory support.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Clinical / technical:

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, to module or component level. On occasions, they will be involved in incident investigations; this may involve access to sensitive patient related data for analysis and interpretation. The daily work will involve the inspection and interaction with delicate, high value medical devices. The correct function and availability for use of these devices have 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:

i) Be responsible for updating the details on the computerised equipment management system relating to any work that has been allocated to them. They will maintain accurate, legible and retrievable written records relating to the work that they have undertaken.

ii) Initiate the procurement of spares and external services for which a requirement has been identified.

 iii) 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 the 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 infection control policy is to be followed always, to reduce the risk of personal harm and the risk of cross infection.

Professional:

Adhere to all policies and procedures defined within the departmental quality management system. Be responsible for their own continuing professional development by participation in a scheme that is recognised by and registered with an appropriate professional body. Undertake suppliers and other external training provider’s courses to enable competency to be established in the support of a wide range of medical devices. They will undertake departmental training events and gain further experience by working on occasions, under the supervision of senior staff.

Organisational:

Will be responsible for establishing effective communication with the customer and suppliers. This will include advising the customer of any foreseen delay in the return of equipment to service. On occasions, this will involve presenting technical information to nursing and clinical staff. Will be responsible for the planning and prioritisation of their own workload that has been allocated. This planning to achieve the optimum contribution to meeting the current departmental quality objectives. The post holder will receive an annual appraisal in accordance with the current policy of the OUH Trust.

Managerial:

Supervision of other team members. Will be required to attend and contribute to departmental meetings, where issues relating to service delivery, customer satisfaction, quality objectives and development of the quality management system are discussed. Any other tasks as appropriate to the role and to support any change in the departmental requirements.

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: -

i) Major Incident Policy

ii) Fire Policy

iii) Information governance

And should make themselves familiar with the ‘local response’ plan and their role.

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 everyone’s 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:

i) Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact.

ii) Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.

iii) 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 always endeavour 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 staff’s 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 Trust’s Data Quality Policy.