Senior Renal Technician - #1671703

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Job Overview

The post holder will work as an integral part of the Renal Service Team. He/she will assist in the support, repair and maintenance of a range of complex renal equipment under the care of the Renal Department and to support work of the department by contributing to the training of clinical, nursing and other technical staff in respect of the use of medical equipment.

The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of medical equipment to the renal department i.e. equipment serviced to manufacture guidelines according to PPM schedule, perform equipment repairs as required in a timely manner, provide technical support the Renal Department, and able to communicate effectively across many disciplines within this role, together with other specified tasks to meet patient and Renal Department needs, as determined by the Lead Renal Technologist.

The post holder will work closely with external contractors and internal clinical support services as directed by the Lead Renal Technologist. He/she will assist in maintaining quality standards and rectify deficiencies within the Renal Department.

Main duties of the job

Technical/Professional

• Provides a technical service and support to the renal unit, wards, satellite units and home patients.
• To maintain a variety of renal dialysis equipment by undertaking acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair and calibration of equipment.
• To work to exacting standards in order to ensure patient/staff safety in respect of medical equipment and in adherence of departmental protocols.
• To respond directly to nursing and medical staff in order to provide advice and support, seeking guidance from other specialist staff or external agencies as required.
• To liaise with equipment suppliers when required, in order to ensure delivery and commissioning of new equipment is timely and without problems.
• To evaluate equipment and make recommendations on procurement.
• To take appropriate action on safety action and hazard notices.
• To develop and implement specific project work, audits and reviews.
• To undertake water/dialysate sampling in all renal areas for monitoring of endotoxin, TVC and biochemistry and correlate results.
  
  

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) is a progressive and ambitious provider of health services, delivering for a large local population of approximately a million people in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It also provides specialist regional services for major trauma, neurosciences, vascular surgery, urology, plastics and burns, orthopaedics and renal services. With a turnover of £550m and 9,000 staff, our clinical teams have built a strong reputation for exceptional healthcare.

Our acute services moved into a brand new, state of the art, hospital building in May 2014. This new 850 bed facility at the Southmead site is regarded as one of the best hospital facilities in Europe and offers patients single rooms with en-suite facilities, greatly improving privacy and dignity and reducing the spread of infections.

The Trust has University Teaching status and is associated with both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Technical/Professional

• Provides a technical service and support to the renal unit, wards, satellite units and home patients.
• To maintain a variety of renal dialysis equipment by undertaking acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, maintenance, repair and calibration of equipment.
• To work to exacting standards in order to ensure patient/staff safety in respect of medical equipment and in adherence of departmental protocols.
• To respond directly to nursing and medical staff in order to provide advice and support, seeking guidance from other specialist staff or external agencies as required.
• To liaise with equipment suppliers when required, in order to ensure delivery and commissioning of new equipment is timely and without problems.
• To evaluate equipment and make recommendations on procurement.
• To take appropriate action on safety action and hazard notices.
• To develop and implement specific project work, audits and reviews.
• To undertake water/dialysate sampling in all renal areas for monitoring of endotoxin, TVC and biochemistry and correlate results.
  
  

Organisational

• To plan and prioritise own work to cover pending jobs.
• To ensure that equipment is maintained, repaired and upgraded adequately in compliance with departmental protocols.
• To ensure proper and adequate record keeping for all equipment is maintained by entering the relevant data and records on the equipment management database. This would include work done by external service agencies in the form of service reports etc.
• Order relevant spare parts and supplies by submitting requisition for authorisation and ensuring the timely processing of orders for spare parts or supplies as necessary and to resolve minor financial issues.
• To provide effective customer service.
  
  

Teaching/Clinical

• To participate in the setting up of equipment connected to patients and giving advice, analysing and referring results of clinical measurements to clinical staff.
  
  

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY

The post holder will need to be proficient in the range renal dialysis equipment used throughout the Trust. Detailed knowledge of both the application and use of the equipment is required since the post-holder has to technically support the clinical users. In addition, most equipment has to be technically configured and pre-set for individual applications, which will have a clinical effect on the patients.

Scheduled maintenance, fault finding and calibrations may require the use of very specialised test equipment and tools, including conductivity analysers, pressure and flow measuring equipment, electronic meters, etc.

SYSTEMS

The department operates a rigorous workflow system that includes standard operating procedures, document control, training and competency, parts and supplies control, job and equipment logging etc. This is achieved primarily using a computerised system called Medusa, although some paper based systems remain.

The post holder is responsible for the accurate maintenance of equipment and other records by entering work in a timely manner done by both themselves and by other external agencies. In addition to this, the post holder must understand the systems where dialysis equipment forms a part and for which we provide support.

The post holder must be proficient in the use of standard IT packages including databases and spreadsheets etc.

DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

This post holder is expected to solve complex issues across a broad range of equipment. The issues may be related to technical equipment failure, human factors or patient interactions; however the post holder must be able to analyse the problem and decide on the appropriate methods for solving the problem.

They are accountable for their own professional actions. Such actions could be repair, replacement, providing additional user training, recommending a change of practice etc. and would depend on the unique circumstances.

• Performs routine testing and maintenance of equipment and makes decisions if safe for continued use based on technical judgement and standard operating procedures.
• Performs unscheduled repairs in response to breakdowns exercising judgement regarding the return of equipment to use or referral to the section manager.
• Regularly makes technical decisions on methods of repairing equipment with reference to formal procedures and section specialist or manager as necessary.
• Makes decisions on sourcing of spares within departmental procedures.
• Responds to urgent requests for support and decides best method of achieving a positive outcome.
  
  

Support for equipment may include analysis of behaviour of equipment in clinical use and advice given on whether equipment is faulty or is responding to unusual patient parameters.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

• Maintains regular communication with section manager and other technical staff to review work and make recommendations.
• Regular communications with medical, nursing and management both routine and non-routine, which requires a close working relationship with these staff groups.
• Effectively explaining technical and safety issues to patients, nursing and medical staff particularly when performing clinical procedures and measurements.
• Negotiates with equipment manufacturers and agents regarding technical issues and supplies.
• Communicates with equipment suppliers and finance department in order to resolve minor financial issues.
• Explains operation of complex equipment during training of medical and nursing staff, GPs, managers etc.
• Effectively answers questions regarding operation of complex and highly complex equipment and demonstrates correct use, often while being used on a patient.
• Uses tact and diplomacy while investigating reported faults, where operator error may be root cause.
• Discusses complex configuration issues with clinical staff and suppliers during purchase and installation of equipment, e.g. drug error reduction systems, alarm limits on physiological monitors, network settings, etc.
• Resolves complex technical issues with equipment vendors during equipment repairs.
  
  

ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK

• The post holder must be able to work with minimal supervision and which is guided by broad policies and standards.
• Most of the work is unplanned and post-holder is expected to be self-motivated and act appropriately and prioritise work when receiving requests for technical assistance from other staff and taking account of clinical schedules etc.
• The post holder is expected to respond appropriately for urgent requests for assistance directly from users.
• Planned maintenance work is scheduled by the Lead Renal Technologist however the post holder has discretion over how best to achieve this taking account of access and clinical schedules.
• Daily and weekly reviews on outstanding work with Lead Renal Technologist. Need to work throughout the Trust’s area and in remote locations such as patients’ homes.
  
  

WORKING ENVIROMENT

To assist the Lead Renal Technologist in ensuring a clean and safe working environment by:

• assisting the Lead Renal Technologist in carrying out regular equipment and workshop faculties monitoring as necessary in accordance with procedures
• ensuring equipment in use is in good working order and that equipment repairs are carried out in timely fashion
• ensuring the safe storage of equipment, spare parts and chemicals
• transporting and disposing of clinical, domestic, wee waste and confidential waste as per the policy
• To participate with ward staff in monitoring the access and security and use of premises and facilities.
• To monitor and access the risk to yourself and other staff members on the access and security and use of home patient premises in line with Loan Working Policy.
  
  

GENARAL

• Ensure all required mandatory training is undertaken in line with Trust policy and all relevant Trust’s policies are followed.
• To ensure own actions reduce risks to health and safety and to promote a health and safety culture within the workplace.
• To assist in maintaining safe working environment for all.
• To behave in a way that is respectful of other’s rights and differences.
• To maintain complete confidentiality with regard to patient issues.
  
  

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Relevant electronic/mechanical/physics /pneumatics engineering background. Competent ‘hands-on’ capabilities and methodical diagnostic techniques.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Degree in Medical Technology, Physics, Electronics or relevant field
• HNC/HND/ HTEC/ONC/OND/BTEC or equivalent qualification in scientific/ electronic/ mechanical engineering subject.
• Renal Course and/or relevant equipment courses.
• Registered as a medical technologist (VRCT) or be prepared to attain registration through the pre-registration practitioners training programme.
  
  

Work Experience

Essential criteria

• Previous experience within a relevant technical environment, Medical Physics or Clinical Technology and / or relevant engineering field - Industrial experience (including field service) or Medical Technology experience.
• Good overall computer skills i.e. capable of using database, spreadsheet & word processing software packages.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a health care environment.
  
  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of Electronics/ Mechanical engineering processes.
• Knowledge and understanding of precautions needed with; Electricity, chemical handling and handling contaminated equipment.
• Able to work safely and exercise own initiative when dealing with issues within own area of competence.
• Good communication skills at all levels
• Able to work in a team dealing with unforeseen problems and solving them i.e. working under pressure
• Good manual dexterity, accurate hand eye co-ordination and use of workshop hand tools
• Methodical, tidy approach to assembly / dis-assembly tasks
• Able to follow instructions accurately
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of Engineering systems, equipment support and repair
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical processes and procedures of equipment within renal environment
• Knowledge and understanding of staff and patient risks arising from equipment failure
• Able to deal with distressing circumstances when working in clinical areas
• Ability to train other staff on use of equipment
• Ability to plan workload proactively to achieve results
• Able to concentrate and work with due care & diligence when subject to unpredictable working patterns
  
  

Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances

Essential criteria

• A professional and friendly manner. Must be able to exercise patience in stressful situations
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to work flexible hours to meet the demands of the service. Once fully competent, willingness to participate in the on-call rota.
• Ability to work on heavy pieces of equipment where physical effort could be demanded.
• Able to deal with unpredictable situations e.g. remain calm in the event of major service failure or if unplanned circumstances arise.
• To be self-motivated and enthusiastic.
• A conscientious and caring attitude.
• Able to fulfil Workplace Health & Wellbeing requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments, if necessary). Including clearance on blood borne viruses, in compliance with Trust Policy.
• Full UK Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Willingness to undertake any further educational courses as deemed necessary .i.e. to fulfil a CPD profile.
• Flexible approach to new tasks e.g. new service developments, working with new / unfamiliar items of equipment.
  
  

If you apply for this vacancy and have not received a communication from North Bristol NHS Trust within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful.

Please note that North Bristol NHS Trust does not reimburse travel expenses relating to interview attendance.

If you feel you meet the requirements of the Disability Act / Two Ticks scheme and require further support/advice, please contact us on tel 0117 414 1151.

North Bristol NHS Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant(s) will normally commence at the minimum of the scale unless they have previous NHS service at the same band. Progression through the scale is by annual increments.

At North Bristol Trust (NBT), we know diverse and inclusive environments lead to happier and healthier teams and improved patient care and outcomes. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented in NBT’s workforce at Band 8a and above. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQIA+ people.

Please note that stringent pre-employment checks are undertaken on all successful applicants prior to commencement in post.