Clinical Engineering Assistant/Apprentice (progressive role)

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

Job summary

A prominent NHS Trust in Plymouth is seeking an assistant/apprentice in Clinical Engineering to manage and maintain medical devices. The position includes technical activities like repair and maintenance, contributing to a portfolio for progression. Applicants need 5 GCSE's at Grades A-C, with interests in electronics and teamwork. The role offers educational opportunities and fosters career growth in a supportive team environment. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Proven interest in Electronics, Equipment or Engineering.
• Demonstrable experience of Team Working.
• Demonstrable electronics or computer hardware experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs a range of technical activities for medical device management.
• Completes a portfolio of experience towards Technical Inspector role.

Skills

Electronics

Computer systems

Team Working

Education

5 GCSE's at Grades A-C/4-9

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

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.

Clinical Engineering at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is seeking to appoint an assistant/apprentice to support in various Clinical Engineering functions; performing commissioning, decommissioning, decontamination, booking in, returning and collecting equipment.

As an Apprentice the successful applicants will engage with and actively participate in our Clinical Engineering training scheme. This includes educationally, the specific Healthcare Engineering Specialist Technician, Level 3 Course as linked in Advert. This education is funded under the Government's apprenticeship scheme and 20% working week will be allocated for study (paid) and to build a portfolio of developing knowledge, experience and competencies towards fulfilling the departments work commitment and supporting evidence-based progression to Technical Inspector.

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 of the job

• 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.
• Plans own work in cooperation with the team leader and other colleagues
• Performs tasks and duties on a wide range of medical devices including complex systems
• Acts on own initiative to solve complex technical problems with multi-disciplinary teams allied to clinical engineering.
• Identifies suitable engineering solutions to suit customer/patient needs.
• Conducts internal audits for the quality system
• Provides supervisory support for lower grade technicians/assistants and signs off competencies for achievement levels below their own.
• Aims to grow a range of specialist technical competencies
• Diagnoses faults in medical devices including those beyond the scope of the manufacturers supplied information.
• Maintains service schedules and other equipment records
• Contributes to service protocols, risk assessments, evaluations and work instructions for medical equipment.
• Performs audits and checks on the work of third party service providers
• Provides some medical device user training on the use of complex patient critical equipment for Clinical and Technical Staff.

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.

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 for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. 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. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted: 21 November 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 2
Salary: £24,465 a year Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 216-AH-C7476075
Job locations: University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust; Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Job responsibilities

• Performs a range of technical activities for the management of medical devices, including repair, preventative maintenance, calibration, performance and safety checks, acceptance checks on new equipment and withdrawal of equipment at the end of its life.
• Completes portfolio of experience to progress to Technical Inspector role.
• More details in JD.

Person Specification

Essential

• Knowledge and Experience:
• Proven interest in Electronics, Equipment or Engineering
• Proven interest in computer systems
• Demonstrable experience of Team Working
• Qualifications:
• 5 GCSE's at Grades A-C/ 4-9 - to include English, Mathematics and Science or equivalent demonstrable experience

Desirable

• Demonstrable electronics or computer hardware experience
• Demonstrable experience of Microsoft Office Suite
• ECDL or CLAIT Qualification
• Demonstrable experience of working as part of a team
• Demonstrable experience of working in a service environment

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Able to work as part of a team.
• Demonstrable interest in further education and personal development.
• Able to work well within a busy working 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 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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 (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Derriford
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)