Assistant Clinical Technologist Oxford, England
Job description
Do you have experience of working in a Healthcare setting or Customer Service Environment and an interest in technology?
Would you like to work in a vibrant team who manage the medical devices that play a vital role in supporting clinical activities in a large hospital Trust where a million patient contacts per annum is the norm.
A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the Clinical Engineering and Measurement Group within the Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
This Band 4 Assistant Clinical Technologist role will give the post holder the chance to be involved in the whole life cycle of medical devices, this will include acceptance testing, carrying out both repairs and preventative maintenance. They will provide technical input to administrative duties and on occasions will offer assistance to the Equipment Library services. This activity could take place across any of the Trust sites.
The successful candidate will have good communication skills, be organised, have a high regard to detail, be able to concentrate for long periods and be computer literate. The role does involve a degree of manual handling.
There will opportunities to prepare for career progression within the field of Clinical Science.
The Clinical Engineering Group is involved in the support of approximately 50,000 pieces of medical equipment across all OUH sites and community locations.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trustis one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research.
The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.
Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.
Job Summary:
As an Assistant Clinical Technologist, the post holder will undertake technical and administrative activities as a member of Clinical Engineering in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust). Work activities will be carried out in both clinical and workshop environments.
This is not a training post, however, to facilitate career progression and professional development, the post holder may have the opportunity to be enrolled onto an appropriate apprenticeship or work-based undergraduate training scheme in Medical Engineering.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
Act as first point-of-contact for clinical staff to the technical workshops, demonstrating effective decision-making and prioritisation skills to resolve queries in a professional manner, taking responsibility for the completion of tasks necessary to maintain clinical services.
Support the provision of medical devices for clinical use, including:
i) Liaising with clinical teams to undertake front-line maintenance activities in clinical areas, ensuring continuation of effective patient care.
ii) Participating in the investigation of adverse clinical incidents involving medical devices, as directed by the Medical Devices Safety Team.
iii) Adhering to the required standards of etiquette for the protection and care of patients and staff (for example: theatre gowns, shoes, aprons and gloves).
iv) Keep a comprehensive record of work undertaken within the medical equipment database.
v) Coordinate with external suppliers and third-party customers (for example, service contract providers), ensuring effective and professional communication as a representative of the Trust.
vi) Carry out maintenance and repair of medical equipment, in line with the competencies acquired through training, including but not limited to:
vii) Verification of the performance and safety of devices.
viii) Disposal of medical devices and other waste material using an appropriate waste stream.
iix) Act as a supervisor and trainer for both technical and administrative processes, as required within the scope of the departmental training and competency framework.
ix) Assist in strategic development projects as directed by the departmental management team, including development of departmental standard operating procedures and policies.
x) Lead in self-development and progression through both practical and academic elements of the apprenticeship training scheme.
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 within that response.
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 endeavour at all times 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.
