Medical Device Specialist Nurse

As a key member of Clinical Quality Team, the post-holder will play an essential role in the development, implementation and continued improvement of comprehensive systems of competency management that consistently ensure safe and optimal use of medical devices throughout Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Principal duties will include needs assessment, planning and delivery of competency-based training - together with the associated appraisal, authorisation and competency registration of medical device users and local trainers; the post-holder will also be involved in the support and management of other approved training providers.

As a medical device specialist, the post-holder will additionally be a source of authoritative advice for clinical, technical and managerial staff on medical device usage, upkeep and safety issues; they may also support strategic planning, product evaluation, safety action and incident investigation activities relating to medical devices.

As a medical device specialist, the post-holder will support a diverse range of medical devices users and clinical applications. Corporately, the position will play a leading role in the development and functioning of a Medical Devices Competency & Training Group, which reports to the Medical Devices steering Committee.

The post-holder will be normally based Victoria Hospital, but duties of the post will involve work across sites and externally

Job description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of the post-holder are to plan, manage and deliver competency-based training for medical device users, and additionally to be a source of advice and support on medical device usage, upkeep and safe application; to also support medical devices governance and safety management activities; and to collaborate in medical devices operational and strategic planning when needed.

Adaptability and flexibility will be essential requirements for this role; whilst the principal duties of the post are outlined below the post-holder should be prepared to perform other duties as required, commensurate with the grade and nature of the post.

Personal

1. To be the lead in the development and functioning of a Medical Devices Competency & Training Group actively supporting it in the development, application and improvement of a comprehensive integrated system for management of medical device user competencies and training delivery.

To have, as a principal function of this post, lead on the delivery of the Medical Devices Training Unit service; to support medical device user training needs assessments; to co-ordinate the provision of training programmes to meet these training needs; to provide, facilitate and deliver such training programmes (in conjunction with training leads and external training providers, as necessary); to assess the competencies of medical device users and of delegated medical device Authorised Trainers/Assessors within clinical departments.

To assist healthcare staff in the preparation of end-user (patient/carer) medical device instructions and, where appropriate, in the delivery of end user training.

To support, when needed, medical devices strategic planning, evaluation and approval of medical devices for prospective use by the Trust; to support the optimal deployment and application of medical devices for safe and efficient patient services; to assist in the establishment of safe standardised equipment settings/configurations across the organisation; to coordinate and inform dialogue between device users and technical support services in achieving these aims.

To be a visible, accessible and reliable resource for medical device users; to be a credible authoritative source of expert advice to managerial, medical, nursing and technical staff and patients on the safe use, upkeep and management of medical devices and a proactive champion of best practice in their clinical application throughout BTH; to be a point-of-contact within Medical Engineering for medical device user support issues, responding to or reliably directing service requests as appropriate.

To liaise and collaborate with medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals and, where appropriate, other managerial, engineering, technical and administrative personnel; to provide support to local delegated Authorised Trainers/Assessors.

To be aware of and participate on accredited training courses and to receive other training appropriate to the development of the service and the post-holder; to identify own training needs and development to maintain clinical expertise and credibility.

To support the in the risk management and continual improvement of medical device practices and safety throughout BTH; to bring to the attention of the Medical Devices steering Committee any issues relating to the unsafe and inappropriate use of medical devices; to provide expert support to the management of safety actions and the investigation of untoward incidents involving medical devices, particularly where these relate to usage issues; to be actively involved in the reliable dissemination of investigation outcomes to ensure that lessons are learnt and acted upon.

To carry out these duties in a manner and to the standards expected of a healthcare professional using the skills, experience and judgement acquired from training and professional practice.

To give consideration to patients, relatives and staff when attending and working in patient environments.

Policy and Service Development

To contribute to safe and effective working environments, advising on practice, developing new ways of working with colleagues and managers to improve effectiveness and productivity of service.

To contribute to the Medical Devices steering Committee development of policies and practices that support Trust-wide implementation of competency management and training delivery systems.

To support clinical managers in their formulation of Service Specifications defining medical device usage and user competency requirements within their healthcare delivery services.

To support the production and review of medical device user Competency Standards and corresponding training Lesson Plans.

To participate in regular departmental team meetings to ensure the safe and efficient working of the Medical Devices Training Unit; to provide constructive criticisms, ideas and comments to assist managerial staff in improving the quality of services provided.

To follow and champion the departments policies and code of practice.

To participate in the development and optimisation of departmental practices.

To support performance measurement, audit and review of the departments services and management system; to monitor the effectiveness of related policies and protocols.

Physical and Financial Resources

To promote best practices in the deployment and use of medical devices in healthcare delivery; to ensure that user responsibilities for device upkeep and maintenance are essential elements of medical device training, ensuring prolonged working life and safe condition of BTH medical devices.

To assist the Medical Lead for Medical Devices in ensuring the efficient utilisation of resources

To support the maintenance of safe working environments and practices and escalate health and safety concerns as they occur, and to support the departmental management of health and safety via the Health & Safety Committee

Research and Development

To support and champion the adoption, implementation and diffusion of relevant new research-based practice improvements in the field of medical devices training, in accordance with local and national guidance, thereby facilitating improved clinical effectiveness and patient safety.

To actively seek, promote and support clinical service innovations for improved and safer patient care involving medical devices; to engage in the evaluation and adoption of new technologies and practices to facilitate excellent patient care.

To collaborate in multi-disciplinary audit and research activity to augment the evidence base available to inform improved medical device related clinical and management practices.

To remain abreast of new practices and healthcare technology developments within the post-holders field of expertise and medical devices in general, cultivating a knowledge of medical device related practices with potential to impact upon improved patient care

To collaborate with the other clinical, scientific and technical personnel, and where appropriate, provide advice on matters relating to the use of medical devices, both within and beyond the department.

To support the research agenda of the Trust under guidance of the service managers, providing advice and support when needed.

Person specification

Education and Qulifications

Essential

• oRegistered Nurse (Nursing & Midwifery Council registration) oRegistered Operating Department Practitioner (College of Operating Department Practitioner registration) oequivalent alternative relevant healthcare professional registration.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent, in relevant subject.

Desirable

• Teaching & assessment qualification (eg: City & Guilds 7300, English National Board ENB997/998

Experience and Skills

Essential

• oSignificant level of post-registration experience oExperience of relevant healthcare specialties oRecent experience in acute healthcare setting oSound working knowledge of relevant healthcare standards and best practices oSignificant experience in the use of a range of medical devices

Desirable

• oMedical Device specialist lead experience

Skills and Ability

Essential

• oExcellent communication and people skills; ability to engage with staff of varying levels and professions oAble to deliver training to groups of professional staff on medical devices and their safe clinical use oAble to communicate complex information across professional boundaries oAble to work as part of an integrated team oAble to develop rapport with service users, develop relationships and networks to ensure service excellence. oGood negotiation and influencing skills, able to provide assurance and reassurance with integrity and empathy oAble to deal with complex and unpredictable situations and people. oCommunicate sensitive and confidential information professionally and appropriately oAble to undertake / support training needs analyses oAble to assess trainee competencies, as medical device users and/or authorised trainers oAble to use initiative when dealing with issues within own specialist area of competence oAble to interpret and apply relevant professional standards and guidance oBe proactively alert to potential medical devices hazards and precautionary measures oAble to undertake / support medical device incident investigations oAble to support medical device evaluations oAble to perform / use audit to improve service delivery and quality

About the employer

BTH are committed to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment where every individual is respected, valued, and supported. We recognise that our greatest asset is our people, and we strive to attract and retain professionals who embody our core values.