Main area Rehabilitation Engineering Technician (mechanical engineering/technician) Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract 3 years (3 year fixed term to end on 8th September 2028) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday) Job ref 321-MRC-7571560-B4-EXT
Employer Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre Town Oxford Salary £27,485 - £30,162 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 26/11/2025 23:59 Interview date 05/12/2025
NHS AfC: Band 4
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is 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 of 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.
Many of our recruitment programmes use Value Based Interviewing to identify those who have the skills we seek, who share our values and who are able to deliver compassionate excellence from the outset. We know that this makes a significant difference to your job satisfaction and above all the outcomes and experience of our patients and their families. For more information about our Values and Value Based Interviewing please visit www.ouh.nhs.uk/about/vision-and-values
Job overview
Notice: This is an external advert open to applications from outside OUH. Due to an error, blocking questions were in place which prevented external candidates from submitting their details. These questions have now been removed- if your application was previously blocked by this process you will now be able to re-submit.
We are looking for applicants with good mechanical workshop skills with a positive and flexible attitude to join our team.
The Rehabilitation Engineering Department provides technical support to Oxfordshire Wheelchair service and the Specialist Disability Service at the Oxford Centre for Enablement. We are an established manufacturer of custom contour seating and a specialist provider of mobile arm supports. We apply engineering principles and technology in the provision of services to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. The wheelchairs and seating systems we provide are individually specified prescriptions which frequently require custom made devices and modifications to enable independence. The post holder will be required to manufacture and set up equipment as well as providing support to the Rehabilitation Engineers.
To arrange an informal discussion or visit please contact Zoe Hadley, Rehabilitation Engineering team lead, at zoe.hadley@ouh.nhs.uk
Please only apply if you already have a right to work in the UK until October 2028 this role is not eligible for visa sponsorships.
Main duties of the job
We do not expect applicants to have experience in all of these areas, but are looking for someone who is able to use tools and has the right attitude and aptitude for the role.
The Technician will manufacture custom contour seating and wheelchair accessories in both milled foam and Lynx sheet either working to engineers’ drawings or instructions.
Training will be provided on our specific processes and manufacturing techniques.
The Technician will manufacture parts and components for stock as requested and will also maintain local components stock.
Post holders are expected to be able to use a range of hand and power tools.
Working for our organisation
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.
In 2023 NHS England launched its first sexual safety charter, and our Trust proudly signed it. We pledge zero tolerance for inappropriate sexual behaviour and commit to the ten core principles.
Oxford University Hospitals promotes a safe, respectful hiring environment.
If you want to make a difference with us, come and join our team. Together, we will uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Comply with all health and Safety requirements
* Manufacture custom contour seating from Lynx and foam, working to engineers drawings or instructions (including all elements of manufacture).
* Manufacture components for mobile arm supports and prepare mobile arm support kits for assessment and issue.
* Be responsible for monitoring and maintaining stock levels in the workshop areas. Communicate and work with staff in stores to ensure departmental stock levels in stores are maintained and highlight any issues with stock and suppliers.
* Source suppliers for parts and components.
* Manufacture and assemble components and parts for stock as requested using mechanical workshop skills.
* Monitor and maintain casting bags, performing regular checks and repairing damaged casting bags where possible.
* Produce patterns for upholstery work that will be outsourced to external companies.
* Communicate effectively with team members and external companies regarding technical and sensitive information.
* Upholstery work using a range of sewing machines and hand techniques.
* Assist Rehabilitation Engineering team members in clinics with technical work, assist with setting up equipment and assist with taking equipment to and from the clinic rooms and vans.
* Set up seating and accessories on wheelchairs working to instructions from the engineers and/or manufacturer’s instructions including custom manufactured parts and third party components.
* Document work completed and contribute to technical files and patient records.
* Set up and operate the CNC machine to manufacture custom contoured seating as specified by a rehabilitation Engineer – set up foam blocks, set up the CNC machine, check the toolpaths, remove foam blocks and clean CNC machine post machining.
* Contribute to servicing and maintenance of equipment.
* Maintain a schedule of work and diary appointments ensuring equipment is ready for planned appointments. Produce equipment to a commercial standard within tight deadlines.
* Assemble, manufacture and repair mechanical devices using hand tools and precision workshop machinery.
* Contribute to multi-disciplinary teams by discussing own and others input around clients’ needs. Communicate technical information whist taking account of the understanding of the target audience.
* Have an understanding of disabling conditions and their implications on equipment prescription and use.
* Attend and contribute to in‑service training.
* Equipment management activities and technical work will occasionally require the post holder to work in awkward positions.
* It will frequently be necessary to maintain concentration whilst responding to requests from staff and clients for technical support. The post will involve occasional exposure to noise and dust in workshops.
* Complete drawings on CAD fusion 360.
Other roles requested as appropriate at this level.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Grade C or above English and Maths GCSEs
* NVQ Level 2 Mechanical Engineering or equivalent training in practical engineering skills.
* Mechanical Engineering Qualification
* BTEC level 2 Mechanical Engineering
Experience
* Skilled in the use of mechanical workshop equipment independently
* Skilled in the use of hand held power tools independently
* Practical approach to problem solving
* Proven ability to manufacture or assemble components to tight deadlines
* Experience working with people with disabilities
* Understanding of disability issues
* Competent and experienced in the manufacture of foam and Lynx seating systems
* Knowledge of wheelchairs and seating components
Personal Skills
* Self‑motivated with ability to work independently on own initiative
* Willing to learn new skills
* Methodical and thorough approach to work activities
* Self‑organised
* Able to work under pressure
* Able to follow instructions from other team members
* Physically able to assist in moving and positioning people and equipment
Behavioural Skills
* Prepared to adjust working hours to suit clinics
* Methodical and thorough approach to work activities
* Self‑organised
Technical Skills
* Competent in Microsoft Office applications
* Experience in CAD/CAM systems
COVID‑19: The COVID‑19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID‑19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at Oxfordshire County Council Website where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination.
Vacancy Closures: Please note, this vacancy may close early if a high volume of applications are received.
Probation Period: This post is subject to a 6 month probationary period. If you currently hold a contract of employment with the Oxford University Hospitals, this will not apply. This statement does not apply to Medical staff or Executive Appointments.
Referencing: When providing employment reference details please provide correct work related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your first referee will need to be your line manager, supervisor or clinical lead from your current or most recent post or place of study. Please note that if you have previously worked for the Trust we will require a reference from your last Manager, this information is essential if your offer of employment is to be confirmed.
Next Steps: Please make sure that you read the job description and person specification, and that your supporting statement reflects this as your application will be judged against these criteria. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted after the short‑listing process, usually within 2 weeks. (Please note that shortlisting times vary when applying for a Medical position within the Trust). The majority of correspondence will be via the e‑recruitment system; therefore you should check your emails regularly including junk mail folders in web‑based email products.
No unsolicited recruitment agency telephone calls or emails.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Application numbers
Please note that this job advertisement will close automatically once the application limit is reached, regardless of whether this occurs before the advertised closing date.
Name Zoe Hadley Job title Rehabilitation Engineering Department Team Lead Email address zoe.hadley@ouh.nhs.uk Telephone number 01865227732
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