Clinical Engineering Assistant/Apprentice

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Plymouth seeks an Apprentice for its Clinical Engineering department. This role offers hands-on experience with medical devices while participating in a training scheme that leads to career progression. Key responsibilities include assisting in equipment maintenance and engaging in team objectives. Ideal candidates should have an interest in electronics and teamwork, as well as foundational qualifications like GCSEs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of teamwork.
• Ability to work in a busy environment.
• Interest in further education and personal development.

Responsibilities

• Assist with fulfilling general team workload objectives.
• Perform maintenance under close supervision.
• Log requests in Medical Devices Database.

Skills

Interest in Electronics

Interest in computer systems

Team Working

Education

5 GCSEs at grade 4-9 (A-C)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

The Clinical Engineering department at Derriford hospital is responsible for the reporting, management and maintenance of 40,000 individual, active medical devices within our database. Clinical Engineering provides our Trust and other customers with medical device leadership, expertise and governance for the whole life cycle of their devices, through proactive and responsive teams. The Trust is seeking to appoint an apprentice to support in various Clinical Engineering functions, including commissioning, decommissioning, decontamination, booking in, returning and collecting equipment. Apprentices will engage with and participate in our Clinical Engineering training scheme, including the Healthcare Engineering Specialist Technician, Level 3 course. This education is funded under the Government's apprenticeship scheme, with 20% of working time allocated for study (paid) to build a portfolio toward evidence-based progression to Technical Inspector. On completion of the Level 3 course, progression to a PTP Healthcare Science degree (UWE) will be available for the attainment of a band 4 Clinical Engineering Technician role.

Onwards education post qualification: with the PTP Healthcare Science degree course (UWE) will be available on completion of the level 3 Specialist Technician course with the attainment of (band 4) Clinical Engineering Technician role.

Main duties

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

• Works under supervision and as directed by Team Leader/Training Supervisor
• Engages with the Clinical Engineering training scheme at the indicated level to completion
• Assists with fulfilling general team workload objectives. Provides assistance to all Clinical Engineering teams.
• Works to build up a baseline of equipment and process competencies

About Us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

Communication: PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC; PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work-life balance is important and invite requests from applicants around less than full-time/flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. Vacancies may close before the closing date; if you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, assume you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted: 03 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 2

Salary: £24,465 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Location: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Job responsibilities

Assistant Technician Responsibilities

1. Works under supervision and as directed by Team Leader/Training Supervisor
2. Engages with the Clinical Engineering training scheme at the appropriate level when required
3. Assists with fulfilling general team workload objectives. Provides assistance to all Clinical Engineering teams.
4. Works to build up a baseline of equipment and process competencies

Core Duties

1. Accepts requests for medical device repair and service from within and outside the Trust, appropriately progressing high priority work
2. Logs into and uses the Trust’s Medical Devices Database to record all repair and service requests in accordance with Quality System
3. Receives patients and other visitors to Clinical Engineering with due regard for safety in potentially dangerous environment
4. Performs corrective and planned preventative maintenance under close supervision on a range of medical devices following written instructions
5. Performs acceptance, performance and safety checks under close supervision on new equipment following written instructions
6. Maintains, under supervision, service schedules, records scientific and technical documentation in accordance with Quality System and Trusts Medical Devices Database
7. Rotates through all Clinical Engineering Teams to improve breadth of experience and to assist in building own competencies

For further details please see the attached JD & PS

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Interest in Electronics, Equipment or Engineering
• Interest in computer systems
• Demonstrable experience of Team Working

Desirable

• Demonstrable electronics or computer hardware experience
• Demonstrable experience of Microsoft Office Suite

Qualifications

Essential

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4-9 (A-C) to include English, Mathematics and Science or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

• ECDL or CLAIT Qualification

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Able to work as part of a team
• Demonstrable interest in further education and personal development
• Able to work well in a busy environment and meet reasonable deadlines

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of working as part of a team
• Demonstrable experience of working in a service environment

Disclosure and Sponsorship

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and, as such, a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants for entry clearance must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found at the Criminal records checks for overseas applicants page.

Employer details

Employer: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Employer's website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/