Rehabilitation Engineering Technician

Job Description

The job is based at the wheelchair maintenance facility in Bermondsey, South East London, near to the wheelchair service. The essential function is to provide a dedicated, efficient, mobile, wheelchair repair and maintenance service to the users of powered and manual wheelchairs as well as specialised posture management equipment prescribed through the contracting services.

This post will undertake primarily deliveries and collections of powered and manual wheelchairs predominantly for patients in the community or in hospital on occasion. The post will also facilitate decontamination of equipment following return and some servicing for reissue

This job requires that the post holder use vehicles provided and fuelled by the Rehabilitation Engineering Division, to visit; hospitals, special schools, private houses and other establishments as required. Therefore the post-holder will need an appropriate driving licence, be able to provide a high level of service to service users in a variety of locations, be flexible, adaptable and supportive in their approach to completing the work required.

This job also requires that the post holder will be available to provide and on call out-of-hours emergency repair/loan service on a rotation basis (one week in six for the rotation, Monday through to Sunday inclusive).

Independently complete the assembly of configured equipment ensuring that documentation, testing, pre-delivery inspection, safety and risk management are carried out, where needed, both at the users place of residence and at the base workshop.

Independently deliver equipment to the client’s target address, which shall include client’s home, place of work, school, college, day centre etc.

Independently setup, seat and position client, handover and discuss associated documentation with the client in accordance with the manufactures technical documentation and service policy.

Ensure that the end user/carer fully understands how to use/operate the equipment provided and their responsibilities.

Independently collect equipment from the client’s target address, which shall include client’s home, place of work, school, college, day centre etc.

Select items from the store to fulfil the requirements for each delivery, including heavy items weighing up to 200Kg, utilising where necessary specialised lifting equipment, operational and stock management procedures. Using vehicles supplied by the Rehabilitation Engineering Division, visit;

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Independently complete decontamination of wheelchairs mobility equipment to the manufacturers technical instructions utilising the specialist equipment provided, ensuring that equipment is ready for storage in as required by the service level agreement.

Under supervision, complete specialist refurbishment of wheelchairs and accessories to the manufacturers’ technical instructions using specialist processes and hand and powered tools as applicable.

Independently record, accurately, the processes and equipment used in the servicing of medical devices using the documentation and processes within the quality management system.

Independently complete the assembly of configured equipment ensuring that documentation, testing, pre-delivery inspection, safety and risk management are carried out, where needed, both at the users place of residence and at the base workshop.

Independently deliver equipment to the client’s target address, which shall include; client’s home, place of work, school, college, day centre etc.

Independently setup, seat and position client, handover and discuss associated documentation with the client in accordance with the manufactures technical documentation and service policy. Ensure that the end user/carer fully understands how to use/operate the equipment provided and their responsibilities.

Independently collect equipment from the client’s target address, which shall include; client’s home, place of work, school, college, day centre etc.

Select items from the store to fulfil the requirements for each delivery, including heavy items weighing up to 200Kg, utilising where necessary specialised lifting equipment, operational and stock management procedures.

Using vehicles supplied by the Rehabilitation Engineering Division, visit; hospitals, special schools, private houses and other establishments to carry out delivery/collection, handovers, fitting and adjustment, of wheelchairs and accessories.

Where a comprehensive repair cannot successfully be made to the user’s equipment, the post-holder shall carry out a risk management process to determine safety adequacy or provide a temporary loan.

Work with the Rehabilitation Engineering Manager and the Administrator(s) to plan the most effective visit routes for the mobile work.

Sensitively exchange information with the user and other stakeholders, using terminology that ensures understanding by all parties noting that there is a likelihood that English is not the first language.

There is a need to have an understanding of cultural differences of differing ethnic groups. There is also a need to have an up-to-date knowledge of relevant current legislation in the field of disability.

To understand and empathise with users with particular disabilities that may make communication difficult.

To understand and empathise with users of carers where collection of wheeled mobility equipment is being made following bereavement.

There is also a need to be able to communicate with users who are annoyed/frustrated or distressed about the equipment they have not functioning.

Be available on a rotational basis to provide an on call service in response to out-of hours emergency repair requests. If necessary visiting the user at their home to ensure that their equipment is repaired and safe to use. This will include verifying users’

details from the specialist database and generating the repair servicing documentation appropriate to the work.

On occasions it may be necessary to access the warehouse

for additional components, spare parts or loan equipment to affect the repair. As a key holder, the post holder will be responsible for the security of the premises at this time.

Ensure, on a daily basis, that supplied vehicles are maintained in a clean, tidy and roadworthy condition and that spare parts carried meet the potential need of the day’s work.

Identify and report any environmental problems with regard to provided wheelchairs.

Adopt a flexible approach to time management, to ensure that quality of service to the user is maintained and stakeholders in line with the service level agreement.

Education and Training

Attend, as appropriate, training and seminars in agreement with the line manager.

To be responsible, with management support, for your own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

Governance / Quality Control

Ensure all work complies with the divisional quality system procedures and that any changes in practise are notified to the Quality Manager or local Quality Representative.

Assist in the development of the service for the purposes of improved quality and more effective maintenance/servicing of equipment.

Policy and Process

In association with local health and safety committee, take such steps as necessary to ensure the implementation of safe working practices, in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act, especially noting the moving and handling requirements of jobs in the facility.

Undertake local risk management as part of lone worker home visits based on both the Trust’s and Health & Safety Executive’s lone worker policy to ensure that information relating to potentially hazardous environments is relayed back to relevant Trust departments.

Have extensive knowledge and understanding of patient and equipment manual handling principles in relation to the equipment and environment on which is used and have the ability to implement it where necessary.

General

The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.

To live and role model the King’s Values of:

• Understanding you
• Inspiring confidence in our care
• Working together
• Always aiming higher
• Making a difference in our community

To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.

To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.

This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.

All employees must hold an ‘nhs.net’ email account which will be the Trust’s formal route for email communication.

Safe Guarding

The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;

attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults

familiarising themselves with the Trust’s processes for reporting concerns

reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately

Infection Control Statement

The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.

These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction