Main duties of the job
The post-holder will:
* Have clinical and technical knowledge in the fields of wheelchair and special seating engineering.
* Prescribe equipment to wheelchair users (e.g., manual and electrically powered wheelchairs, buggies, seating systems and accessories). This involves working in a technical‑clinical capacity and includes client assessment, analysis, the costing of equipment, report writing, equipment prescription, equipment design and commissioning, delivery to the client and review.
* Provide support to the Rehabilitation Engineering Manager and the management team in service development, new contract tenders and ongoing supervision of the current maintenance contractor.
Job responsibilities
The post-holder will:
* Assess, prescribe and handover manual and powered wheelchairs, buggies, seating and associated equipment to clients with long term disabilities in a safe, timely and effective manner.
* Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the rehabilitation technology available to meet the needs of wheelchair, seating and prosthetic service users.
* Maintain an awareness of safety standards and the safety issues associated with wheelchair and seating (e.g., current hazard and safety notices and device bulletins).
* Provide support to the management team in the tendering, awarding and supervision of the wheelchair maintenance contracts as required. This may involve participating in site visits, tender evaluation, negotiation and interviews.
* Evaluate new equipment to assess its technical quality, design, specification, effectiveness and cost, and provide feedback to manufacturers to encourage product development.
* Ensure that any equipment used by clients meets statutory requirements, is fit for purpose, functions correctly and where required is calibrated/serviced.
* Be responsible for maintaining and developing own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
* Maintain professional registration with the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) or Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and show proof of registration to line management when requested.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Hold a Degree / Diploma / Certificate in Rehabilitation Engineering OR: Hold a Degree in Clinical Technology OR: Hold a Degree / master's degree in an appropriate engineering discipline (e.g. mechanical or electronic engineering, applied science).
* Hold current registration on the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) or Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
* Membership of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM).
Experience
* Experience of design and manufacture of bespoke equipment.
* Working knowledge of brazing, welding and fabrication.
* Experience of quality assurance.
* Post qualification experience in the field of rehabilitation, preferably within wheelchairs and prosthetics.
* Experience of working with a wide range of manual and powered wheelchairs including their prescription, adaptation, programming and repair.
* Experience of working with a range of commercially available supportive seating systems including cushions.
* Experience of manufacture of bespoke seating solutions for clients with complex seating needs.
Skills and knowledge
* Practical and imaginative engineering skills to deal with technical problems that occur in outreach work.
* An understanding of modern materials and processes.
* An awareness of medical conditions associated with those with disabilities, including treatment regimes and typical prognosis.
* The ability to develop and use physical manipulation techniques with patients relating to physiological and functional measurement.
* An ability to develop a knowledge of and apply risk management techniques to medical device modification, adaptation and manufacture.
* An ability to interpret standards in relation to medical devices.
* An ability to develop and apply a full understanding of current risk management legislation.
* Ability to use basic engineering hand tools and equipment.
* Capable of operating a CAD system.
* Good written and verbal communication skills with a wide range of people.
* Observational and analytical skills in the clinical‑technical environment.
* Ability to work within a multi‑disciplinary team.
* An empathetic approach to patient care with an ability to handle situations with diplomacy.
* Familiarity with national drawing specification standards.
* An understanding of wheelchair seating systems and wheelchair construction.
* Able to develop safe, effective solutions to complex seating requirements.
* Able to program powered wheelchairs including specialist control systems.
Other Requirements
* Ability to use Microsoft Office.
* Fit for a job which entails a significant amount of manual handling, lifting/demonstrating and adjusting equipment.
* Ability to assess lifting and handling tasks.
* A current, “viable” driving licence.
* Able to drive own vehicle / departmental van for home visits or clinics.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
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