Senior specialist Rehabilitation Engineer

We are looking for Rehabilitation Engineers to join our current team. The posts will be based between The Wheelchair and Special Seating Service, Bristol Centre for Enablement (BCE) at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol and the Gloucestershire Wheelchair and Assessment Service, at the Independent Living Centre in Cheltenham., Be responsible for the clinical and specialist technical assessment, prescription and provision of specialist equipment.
Apply mechanical engineering, bioengineering and technological principles to assess and provide specialist clinical engineering solutions for the clinical, functional and environmental requirements of disabled adult and paediatric patients who use manual wheelchairs, indoor and indoor / outdoor powered wheelchairs and special postural management systems.
Undertake independent assessments and multi-disciplinary assessments of patients within their own environments or at clinics based at BCE.
As part of the multi-disciplinary team, assess patients for bespoke moulded seating. Assume the responsibility for interfacing the moulded seat onto the patient's wheelchair and ensuring the combined equipment is safe for its intended purpose.
Design, draw and provide clear written instructions for the production, manufacture and clinical fitting of custom made adaptations to wheelchairs, special seating systems and associated equipment to meet the intended clinical and technical requirements of individual patients., 39. Plan the activities required to ensure that clinical fitting of adaptations is carried out safely and the intended clinical purpose is achieved.
40. Work autonomously to carry out the design of innovative equipment and adaptations to manual, powered indoor and indoor/outdoor wheelchairs and associated equipment.
41. Maintain and adhere to the requirements of the relevant and appropriate professional register and abide by their Professional Code of Conduct.
42. Maintain awareness of relevant safety standards. Be aware of the risk issues connected with mobility equipment, pressure care products and special seating (current Hazard and Safety bulletins, private and public transportation guidelines, clinical risks such as pressure sores etc.).
43. Skilled in the application of a wide range of materials, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, various foams, plastics, fabrics, rubber, wood.
44. Be skilled in the use of:
Hand tools, including power tools precision cut and shape materials.
45. Be skilled in the assembly of manufactured and proprietary parts to construct complex assemblies.
46. Hold the necessary skills required to assemble, fit and accurately adjust specialised postural management devices.
47. Work within the framework of BCE Quality Manual and Trust Policies and Procedures.
48. Deputise for the Clinical Services Manager in their absence as required.
49. Communicate verbally and in writing, technical information, often of a complex nature, relating to the assessment and prescription of mobility and special seating equipment, to all AHP's, technical staff, administrative staff and clients and families.
50. Apply mechanical engineering, bioengineering and technological principles to assess and provide specialist clinical engineering solutions for the clinical, functional and environmental requirements of disabled adult and paediatric patients who use manual wheelchairs, indoor and indoor / outdoor powered wheelchairs and special postural management systems.
51. As both part of a multi-disciplinary team and autonomously, assess patients for the functional use and clinical requirement of:
Standard manually propelled wheelchair
Energy efficient / active user wheelchair
Special specification wheelchair
Electric powered Indoor wheelchair
Electric Powered Indoor / outdoor wheelchair
Wheelchairs for patients who exceed the weight limit for standard wheelchairs,
53. Independently assess clients for specialised powered wheelchair control systems. Be responsible for computer programming of each bespoke system and customise its operating programme to suit the client's abilities and requirements.
54. As part of the multi-disciplinary team, assess patients for bespoke moulded seating. Assume the responsibility for interfacing the moulded seat onto the patient's wheelchair and ensuring the combined equipment is safe for its intended purpose.You must refer to the FULL job description for more details.

It is essential that all candidates must be registered with the Register of Clinical Technologists as a Rehabilitation Engineer, or The Academy for Healthcare Science Register as a Rehabilitation / Clinical Engineer or the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist.
Relevant experience working in a wheelchair and seating service is essential. We are looking for someone who is flexible, with a professional attitude and the ability to meet the requirements of the post. Teamwork with other technical staff and the therapy team is an important element of this role. Also the ability to work alone to problem solve clients requirements.
This is a full time post but flexible working and alternative hours may be considered.
A full driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle for work purposes is required to enable travel around the area covered by the service.
This post is also eligible for relocation expenses. More information will be given at request., 1. BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science / Clinical Engineering or completion of IPEM Clinical Technologist training as a Rehabilitation Engineer.
2. Registered as a Clinical Technologist on the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT) or the Academy of Healthcare Science (ACHS) register; or registered as a Clinical Scientist on the Health and Social Care Professionals (HCPC) register.
3. Advanced specialist working knowledge of mechanics and biomechanics and an in-depth knowledge of postural management and positioning, in the relevant pathologies.
4. Advanced specialist working knowledge of the causes of tissue breakdown and the need for pressure measurement and management.
5. Knowledge and experience of Computer Aided Design with a working knowledge of Information Technology.
6. A working knowledge of Quality Management System
7. Significant experience in the design and manufacture of technical equipment from market analysis and conceptual design through to technical drawing of final design, production planning, manufacture, quality control and product commissioning.
8. Minimum 3 years experience as a Rehabilitation Engineer and within wheelchair services including the assessment and provision of specialist postural seating, Electric Powered Indoor and Outdoor Chairs (EPIOC's) and specialised powered wheelchair controls.
9. In-depth knowledge of, and experience in developing the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service policies, procedures and priorities to meet the changing complexities of the Service users.
10. Experience in the regular supervision of a team of Specialist Rehabilitation Engineers, Rehabilitation Engineers, Workshop Service Engineers and Rehabilitation Technicians.
11. Knowledge of, and experience in disseminating information and advice relating to various aspects of human resources.
12. In relation to wheelchairs and special seating, have a knowledge of:Design for manufacture, Cost management, Consequences and limitations of prescriptions
13. Practical knowledge of
Use of hand tools and power tools- cutting, shaping, forming, assembling or adjusting.
14. Advanced level of experience in independent working and the ability to demonstrate effective communication with professional colleagues in order to contribute to the performance of a multi-disciplinary assessment team.
15. Experience in the completion of detailed clinical and equipment risk assessments.
16. Experience in the completion, leading the investigation and reporting of Trust and Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Adverse Incident reports.
17. Experience in medical report writing techniques and legalities, including the use of terminology associated with clinical aspects of wheelchairs and special seating.
18. Holds a full UK driving licence and access to an appropriate vehicle for work purposes.
19. Ability to assess patients skeletal system in seated and lying postures and prescribe equipment to meet the identified needs.
20. Patient handling skills of a high order, including the ability to relate to disabled patients, their relatives and carers.
21. Ability to implement evidence based practice into the assessment process.
22. Be able to undertake unsupervised assessment of patients, both adult and paediatric, to provide manual wheelchairs, powered indoor and indoor/outdoor wheelchairs, associated accessories and specialist postural management devices.
23. Competent in the ability to recognise an urgent situation, make sound technical and clinical judgements under pressure and follow through immediate actions to manage the situation.
24. A high level of interpersonal skills are required with the ability to build a trusting relationship, maintain the correct level of professionalism and recognise individual patients personal boundaries.
25. Competent in communicating complicated information with all members of the multi-disciplinary team including medical professionals, senior & junior managers, health care professionals, engineers and technicians.
26. Keep clear contemporaneous reports. Reports will be on the specialist clinical assessment of patients, planned outcomes and technical documentation.
27. Instruct patients and carers, both clinical and non-clinical, in the safe use of wheelchairs, control systems, special seating systems and the adjustment of special supports and positioning aids.
28. Ability to use professional, empathetic communication, listening and / or counselling skills with patients and carers to offer information and support as appropriate. Possess excellent communication skills in order to establish and maintain good relations with patient / carer / family / other members of multi-disciplinary team, enabling the extraction of relevant information for full assessment to take place.
29. Competent in dealing with challenging situations and be able to sensitively exchange relevant information using terminology which aids effective communication, where patient / carer may be angry, aggressive, emotional or suffer from behavioural or psychological disorders.
30. Ability to communicate and negotiate with manufacturers and contractors. Co-ordinate with manufacturers to provide equipment demonstrations for patient assessment and product up-dates for the multi-disciplinary team.
31. Capable of making sound decisions and producing informative reports and working drawings that clearly communicate the complexity of the clinical and technical requirements, enabling adaptations and accessories to be constructed and fitted to wheelchairs and special seating equipment.
32. Capable of supervising a team of Specialist Rehabilitation Engineers, Rehabilitation Engineers, Rehabilitation Technicians and workshop Service Engineers in their clinical and technical work ensuring good team dynamics by motivating team members and promoting a trusting professional relationship.
33. Ability to hold Personal Development Reviews for team members and devise Personal Development Plans in line with service development and the team members professional development.
34. Ability to select suitable materials and manufacturing processes for the cost effective construction of the medical device designed to meet the patient's clinical and technical requirements.
35. Ability to produce and modify plans to meet the identified objectives as a result of ongoing clinical and technical assessments.
36. Competent in prioritising and planning personal workloads and the assessment waiting lists, ensuring resources are effectively managed.
37. Ability to recognise areas for service development and implement changes.
38. Able to arrange the manufacture of equipment by workshop Service Engineers and other contractors to meet specified deadlines.

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Bristol is consistently voted the best place to live in the UK, with vibrant local music, arts and gastronomic scenes, a wide range of modern and state of the art shopping, recreation and leisure facilities, a wealth of great local family days out, fantastic transport links for local, national and internal holidays, and it has a rich history. If you prefer country, village or smaller town living, NBT is also easily commutable from a range of attractive locations in North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and South Wales (e.g. Portishead, Chepstow), 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 .
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.