Bio-Medical Engineer

Detailed job description and main 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 one’s own technical knowledge of specialist equipment and to update one’s 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 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 work as a lone worker when required and act independently, promptly, and efficiently in response to emergency and unpredictable situations.

To carry out final inspection and tests on other engineering technician’s work.

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

To 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 written.

To disseminate information to senior and junior staff and offer support and guidance where necessary.

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 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 organise and prioritise daily work schedules, and to work unsupervised 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 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

To supervise the work activities of Junior staff

To take an active role in the training and development of junior staff.

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.