Job Evaluation Reference: linked to: MED/PTB/RMP/TRT/238e

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job Description

1. Job Details

Job Title Medical Engineer

Band 6

Directorate Cancer Services & Clinical Haematology

Base Radiotherapy

Hospital Freeman Hospital

Essential Requirements
 A recognised Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
 Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent experience
 Completion of a recognised training scheme
 Literacy, numeracy and accuracy of a high order
 Post holder must be working towards relevant manufacturer’s certificated training
 Good knowledge of IT software packages (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
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.
 Knowledge of clinical hazards and infection control.

2. Job Purpose

 Performs a range of specialist healthcare science activities

 Assist in the delivery of the technical aspects of radiotherapy service.
 Assists in maintaining and developing high standards of service provision
throughout their area of responsibility.
 Involvement in research and development projects
 Participates in roster covering 7 day working week

3. Dimensions

 Radiotherapy is used in the treatment of cancer, with approximately 5000 new

patients per year receiving treatment at NCCC. The department has eight linear
accelerators all capable of portal imaging, three equipped with MV cone beam
imaging and two with in room CT scanners. In addition we have a Tomotherapy
and a superficial X-ray unit. The imaging section of the department has two CT
scanners and a dedicated MRI scanner.
 The post provides the comprehensive expertise and experience necessary for the
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Job Evaluation Reference: linked to: MED/PTB/RMP/TRT/238e

department to operate clinical linear accelerators to the required legislation and

national guidelines. A large degree of versatility, both in working patterns and
skills base, is required to provide the immediate emergency coverage required
during normal working hours and to effect permanent repairs during non-
treatment hours. In addition both planned and corrective maintenance is
performed to enhance the availability and reliability of the service.
 To ensure accelerators (Patient treatment systems) function correctly and
therefore provide consistency and accuracy of treatment to the patient, the
department operates in an ISO 9000 environment. Quality assurance is the
dominant factor in work practises, contributing a significant time element in the
repair and maintenance schedule. Diligence, consistency and perseverance are
typical qualities necessary to perform satisfactory QA.
 The maintenance of clinical accelerators requires core practical and theoretical
electronic skills. Additional complexity is presented by associated hydraulic,
water-cooling, mechanical, RF systems containing life threatening high voltage
systems and sophisticated computerised control. An appreciation of nuclear
physics and principles of radiotherapy is also a requirement.

4. Organisational Arrangements

Reports to: Senior Medical Engineer

Staff responsible for: None

Organisational Structure

Head of Service
Band 8b

Snr Med Eng Deputy Head of Service

Lead Band 8a
Band 8a

Snr Medical Eng. Snr Medical Snr Medical

Band 7 Eng Eng.
Band 7 Band 7

Medical Engineer Medical Engineer Medical Engineer Medical Engineer

Band 6 Band 6 Band 6 Band 6

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Job Evaluation Reference: linked to: MED/PTB/RMP/TRT/238e

5. Knowledge, Training and Experience

Educational
 A recognised Degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
 Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent experience.

Scientific Knowledge and Experience

 Completion of a recognised training scheme
 Relevant experience following completion of manufacturers certificated training
 Literacy, numeracy and accuracy of a high order
 Post holder must be working towards relevant manufacturer’s certificated training
 Good knowledge of IT software packages (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
and experience of applying them
 Good knowledge of safe moving and handling techniques in both clinical and non-
clinical environment.
 Knowledge of clinical hazards and infection control.
 Specialist knowledge and skills in medical or scientific equipment relevant to
working area
 The post holder is expected to follow an approved programme of continuing
professional development (CPD)

6. Skills

Communication and Relationships

 Communicates with senior staff of a variety of disciplines.
 Communicates complex information relating to specialist procedures to
colleagues.
 Required to develop positive working relationships at all levels in connection with
their service.
 Responsible for ensuring effective communications within their service and across
professional boundaries, overcoming barriers to understanding.
 Communicate sensitive information to appropriate staff.
 Provide accurate oral and written reports.
 Contribute to the training of new technologists.

Analytical and Judgemental skills required for the post

 Exercise judgement in the interpretation of computer information within their
specialism
 Interpretation of complex technical information
 Recognition of faults and taking appropriate action.

Planning and Organisational skills required for the post

 Responsible for planning and prioritisation of own workload, some of which are
ongoing.

Physical Dexterity skills requirement

 Highly developed specialist skills required to operate expensive complex medical
or scientific equipment.
 Proficient keyboard skills

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Job Evaluation Reference: linked to: MED/PTB/RMP/TRT/238e

If employed in a technical role, to be able additionally to:

 Ability to service, repair and calibrate complex medical and scientific equipment
using appropriate test instrumentation
 Use precision tests and measurement equipment safely and effectively

If employed in a clinical role, to be able additionally to:

 Good hand-eye co-ordination requiring a high degree of precision.
 Regularly carry out some patient measurement

7. Key Result Areas

Patient/Client care
 Provide a range of highly specialist clinical technical services for patients or
medical equipment support services
 To ensure Trust standards and guidelines on infection control are followed

Technical
 Be alert at all times to any malfunctioning of the full range of complex equipment,
identifying malfunctions accurately.
 Carry out service, repair and calibration in accordance with appropriate protocol.

Clinical
 Carry out tests in accordance with appropriate protocol.

Policy and Service Development

 Implement decisions affecting working practices within own areas of activity.
 Contributes to discussions on changes to policies and procedures within the
section so to ensure they reflect best practice, thus maintaining and improving the
quality of the services

Financial and Physical Resources

 To be responsible for the safe use of expensive highly complex equipment used
by the post holder and others
 Responsible for maintenance of stock levels of materials

Human Resources
 Delivers guidance and training of junior technologists and other staff.

Education
 The post holder is expected to follow an approved programme of continuing
professional development (CPD)

Information Resources
 Records patient and technical data into database accurately.
 Design/generate and save computer generated programs/protocols for own/other
use at a later date
 Occasionally uses computer software to design/manufacture (using CAD/CAM or
equivalent), mechanical components, assemblies, electronic circuits or printed
circuit board layout or
 Significant responsibility for maintaining information systems which includes
updating software
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Job Evaluation Reference: linked to: MED/PTB/RMP/TRT/238e

Research and Development

 Participate in development of new treatment techniques
 Participates in Research and Development, equipment testing and trials of clinical
devices
 Continuing involvement on a weekly basis in development work as part of
research programmes or activities

8. Freedom to Act

 Post holder is responsible for management of own work schedule

 Outputs are defined by manager/project leader/referrer but post holder has
significant discretion in how best to achieve these, guided by broad occupational
policies or regulations
 Lead engineer within specialist area

9. Effort and Environment

Physical
 There is a frequent requirement to sit in a restricted position as a substantial
proportion of the working time is spent using a computer.
 Occasionally exert moderate physical effort for short periods.

Mental
 There are frequent prolonged periods of concentration while using technical
software

Emotional
 Occasional exposure to direct distressing or emotional circumstances.

Working Conditions
 Occasional exposure to unpleasant substances or patients with serious infectious
conditions or devices contaminated with bodily fluids.
 VDU use.

Author:
Date:

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 Job Evaluation Reference: linked to: MED/PTB/RMP/TRT/238e
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Person Specification

JOB TITLE: Medical Engineer BAND: 6

DIRECTORATE: Cancer Services & Clinical Haematology WARD/DEPARTMENT: Radiotherapy Engineering SITE: Freeman
REQUIREMENT ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE ASSESSMENT
Requirements necessary for safe and effective Where available, elements that contribute to
performance of the job improved/immediate performance in the job
 Good knowledge of IT software packages (e.g. Word, Application
KNOWLEDGE Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and experience of applying Form/Interview
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.
 Knowledge of clinical hazards and infection control.
 Literacy, numeracy and accuracy of a high order. Application
SKILLS  Responsible for ensuring effective communications within Form/Interview
their service and across professional boundaries,
overcoming barriers to understanding.
 Relevant experience following completion of manufacturers Application
EXPERIENCE certificated training Form/Interview

 A recognised Degree in relevant subject or equivalent Application

QUALIFICATIONS experience. Form/Interview
 Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent experience
 Completion of a recognised training scheme.
 Post holder must be working towards relevant
manufacturer’s certificated training
 A professional approach to dealing with other staff and Application
PERSONALITY/ patients. Form/Interview
DISPOSITION  Develop positive working relationships at all levels in
connection with their service.
 Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and
maintain technical services.
CORE  Alignment to Trust Values and Core Behaviours. Application
BEHAVIOURS Form/Interview
 Ability to service, repair and calibrate complex medical and Application
PHYSICAL scientific equipment using appropriate test instrumentation. Form/Interview
 Use precision test and measurement equipment safely and
effectively.

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