Instrument Curator

NHS Jobs; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Instrument Curator to maintain, diagnose and repair a wide range of surgical instruments and power tools. The role involves planning maintenance, commissioning new equipment and ensuring quality control in line with MHRA guidance.

Applicants should have an HNC in Mechanical Engineering and IT competency; training and supervision of staff are possible.

Qualifications

• Higher National Certificate (HNC) or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering.
• ECDL or recognised IT competency qualification.
• Experience in mechanical maintenance/repair.
• Experience with surgical instruments/tools is desirable (from text).

Responsibilities

• Maintain, diagnose and repair a wide range of surgical instruments and power tools.
• Coordinate and undertake planned maintenance; commission/install new equipment as required.
• Operate quality control and inspection in line with manufacturer recommendations and MHRA guidelines.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Toolmaker

Communication (oral & written)

Education

HNC in Mechanical Engineering

IT competency (ECDL)

Tools

Precision tools

Test equipment

Job description

Instrument Curator

The closing date is 04 October 2026

An opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Instrument Curator within Electronics & Medical Engineering (EME). The post provides specialist mechanical engineering support for a wide and complex range of surgical instruments and power tools used across Newcastle Hospitals. We are looking for an experienced mechanical engineering professional with strong practical and analytical skills, ideally holding an HNC in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent. The role involves fault diagnosis, precision repair, planned maintenance, quality inspection and commissioning of specialist surgical equipment, working closely with clinical and technical teams and equipment manufacturers. This is a varied technical role requiring excellent attention to detail, manual dexterity, professional communication and the ability to use initiative in a busy healthcare environment.

• Interview Date Thursday 29 October 2026

Main duties of the job

Maintain, diagnose and repair a wide range of surgical instruments, specialised dental instruments, handpieces and power tools, including component-level repairs using precision tools and appropriate test equipment. Coordinate and undertake planned maintenance for specialist equipment, departments and external clinics, and commission or install new equipment as required. Operate the Trust's quality control and inspection service for new and repaired surgical instruments, ensuring work complies with manufacturer recommendations, departmental procedures, relevant safety standards and MHRA guidance. Implement remedial actions arising from safety alerts and manufacturer notices; maintain accurate service records and appropriate stock and spare parts. Liaise with clinical and technical staff, suppliers and manufacturers, contribute to technical evaluations, equipment trials, audits and reports, and support the training or supervision of apprentices, students and new staff. The post requires sound judgement, excellent analytical ability, high levels of manual dexterity and the confidence to work independently when required.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Job responsibilities

The Instrument Curator is responsible for the maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair of a wide and complex range of surgical instruments and power tools including General, Gynaecological, ENT, Dental, Laparoscopic, Ophthalmic, Arthroscopic and Orthopaedic Instruments requiring a sound knowledge of current mechanical engineering techniques.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• A comprehensive knowledge of current mechanical engineering practice is essential
• Understanding of metallurgy

Skills

• Good interpersonal skills, in person and by telephone
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, suppliers, and customers
• Excellent analytical skills
• Toolmaker, skilled mechanical engineer

Experience

• Experience in a mechanical maintenance/repair related discipline

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering
• ECDL or recognised IT competency qualification

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.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust