Highly Specialised Healthcare Scientist / Practitioner

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS teaching trust seeks a Highly Specialised Healthcare Scientist/Practitioner to join their Clinical Engineering and Measurement team. The successful candidate will engage in managing clinical measurement services, including evoked potentials and blood gas analysis, while training staff and ensuring quality standards. Applicants should hold a relevant degree and acquire membership of a professional body. This role offers opportunities for teaching and research in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Access to training and seminars

Qualifications

• Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject is required.
• Membership of a relevant professional body or ability to register within 1 year.
• Understanding of signal processing methods and practical experience of evoked potential measurement is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform multimodal evoked potential monitoring during spinal surgery.
• Manage finances and prepare budget reports.
• Train healthcare staff on blood gas analysers and sample handling.

Skills

Signal processing methods

Clinical measurement knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Education

Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject

Relevant MSc or higher degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

We are welcoming applications for an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Highly Specialised Healthcare Scientist/Practitioner in the Department of Clinical Engineering and Measurement at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The role supports the Principal Clinical Scientist by applying engineering and scientific principles to facilitate the effective operation of high quality Clinical Measurement services across the Trust. Services include providing physiological measurements of evoked potentials, sweat tests, the blood gas measurement service, quality assurance, device training and calibration procedures. The post also involves management and business tasks to run the Clinical Measurement Group, deliver services to clinical staff and patients, and teaching and service development.

Responsibilities

• Main duties
  • Plan, perform and interpret multimodal evoked potential monitoring during spinal surgery.
  • Perform routine maintenance of ABL90 blood gas analysers across the OUH Trust, rectify complex faults and ensure quality assurance standards are met.
  • Manage finances and budget reports and contracts with external stakeholders.
  • Line‑manage, supervise and train staff.
• Intra‑operative monitoring\
  • Interpret signals and warn surgeons of possible spinal cord damage.
  • Collaborate with the Principal Clinical Scientist and neurophysiology teams to introduce newer monitoring techniques and improve outcomes.
  • Assist and supervise clinical measurement staff during intra‑operative monitoring, providing advice and guidance.
  • Develop and evaluate protocols, guidelines and policies based on current evidence and research.
  • Implement and update standard operating procedures and guidelines for intra‑operative monitoring.
• Blood gas analysis
  • Carry out routine maintenance of blood gas and electrolyte apparatus across the OUH Trust.
  • Diagnose and fix complex faults on blood gas analysers and provide preventive maintenance.
  • Train small groups of medical and nursing staff on proper use of blood gas analysers and sample handling.
  • Perform routine quality control and performance checks on patient‑applied equipment, especially in critical care.
  • Coordinate with other clinical technologists, physiologists and service engineers about equipment faults or issues.
  • Help produce policies and procedures to promote best practice in medical device management across the Trust.
• Managerial
  • Prioritise own work in accordance with Trust and departmental priorities.
  • Meet expected results by using initiative and following regulations, standards and guidelines.
  • Maintain careful records of work performed and complete other required records.
  • Ensure efficient use of equipment and consumables and assist with budget control.
  • Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, maintaining effective communication through briefings.
  • Provide scientific, engineering and technical input to departmental and Trust committees related to medical device management and point‑of‑care testing.
  • Assist in producing policies and procedures that promote good practice in medical device management.
  • Manage projects directed by the Head or Deputy Head of Clinical Engineering.
  • Act as line manager to staff at lower grades as directed.
  • Participate in the development and maintenance of the quality management system.
• Teaching, Training and Research
  • Identify and initiate R&D activity areas locally and nationally.
  • Present original work at meetings, conferences and in publications.
  • Supervise and train healthcare scientists in Clinical Measurement.
  • Deliver and lead training on equipment and protocols to nurses, doctors, technicians and scientists.
• Professional
  • Stay informed of latest technical and scientific developments and their applications.
  • Enroll in continuing professional development programmes to maintain registration.
  • Attend suitable courses and seminars as part of CPD.
  • Ensure all activities comply with a quality framework and regulatory requirements.
• General
  • Ensure compliance with policies and procedures in the areas of work.
  • Use VDU equipment for long periods within the working day.
  • Lift moderate, cumbersome equipment for short periods during a shift.
  • Work in operating theatres and intensive care units measuring critically ill patients.
  • Wear a lead apron for up to 5 hours when required.
  • Liaise with local department heads, consultants, superintendents and nursing staff following local policies.
  • Behave courteously and professionally at all times.
  • Work the hours necessary, including occasional duties outside normal hours.
  • Take part in the departmental out‑of‑hours on‑call rota.
  • Remain flexible and assist all areas during sickness or increased workload.
  • Perform other appropriate duties from time to time as directed.
• Risk Management
  • Familiarity with major incident policy, fire policy, information governance and local response plans.
  • Ensure duties comply with Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, statutory regulations and Trust policies.
• Infection Control
  • Wash hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit of all clinical areas.
  • Attend mandatory infection control training.
  • Contact Occupational Health if a transmittable infection develops.
• Child Protection & Safeguarding
  • Uphold the rights of children and young people per the UN Convention Rights of the Child.
  • Support safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation.
• Information Governance
  • Complete annual information governance training.
  • Read and understand the Trust's Data Quality Policy.
• Qualifications
  • Good (1st or 2nd class) Honours degree in a relevant subject.
  • Membership of a relevant professional body or ability to submit for registration within 1 year.
• Desirable Criteria
  • Relevant MSc or higher degree with highly developed specialist knowledge in Clinical Engineering and/or physiological sciences.
  • Understanding of signal processing methods and practical experience of evoked potential measurement.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development.
  • Thorough understanding of patient and staff risks arising from the use of medical devices.
  • Awareness of relevant legislation, national standards and professional guidelines such as ISO 9001:2015 and other BSI/ISO standards.
  • Excellent communication of highly complex information during patient examinations, equipment status or operation.
  • Highly accurate placement of patient monitoring electrodes, able to work quickly and in adverse conditions.
  • Positive attitude towards tasks and stakeholders.
  • Computer‑literate with experience of Microsoft Office and ability to adapt software solutions.

About the Employer

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country, providing a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and serving as a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals – the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Horton General Hospital – and is guided by values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.