Rehabilitation Engineering Technician

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; North Chailey; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Rehabilitation Technician to assist in the design and maintenance of assistive technology for children with complex needs. The ideal candidate will have engineering qualifications and experience, along with strong communication and teamwork skills. This position offers diverse responsibilities in a supportive environment dedicated to improving lives. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Excellent training and development opportunities

Flexible working options

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience with workshop engineering and hand tools.
• Understanding of mechanical engineering techniques.
• Ability to advise on the technical aspects of equipment.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble components for assistive devices.
• Assist senior technicians with custom-made equipment.
• Complete technical documentation for work undertaken.

Skills

Ability to manufacture items using workshop engineering tools

Confidence in engineering skills

Ability to create and interpret technical drawings

Knowledge of standard PC software packages

Ability to communicate respectfully

Knowledge of electrical/electronic engineering

Education

Level 3 City and Guilds in Mechanical Engineering

Use of CAD (Fusion 360) or similar

Job description

This post is based within a specialist paediatric Rehabilitation Engineering Service (RES), which designs and provides bespoke assistive technology (AT) solutions for children and young people with severe and complex physical disabilities. The equipment produced supports participation in daily living activities and plays an important clinical role in maintaining posture & preventing deformities, particularly those related to seating, standing, & lying.

RES provides clinical and technical support to pupils at Chailey Heritage School and to a wide range of outpatients referred from local services whose complex needs cannot otherwise be met.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Rehabilitation Technician will assist in the design, manufacture, adaptation, and maintenance of specialist rehabilitation equipment under the supervision of senior technicians & rehabilitation engineers. The post holder will need to participate in training and professional development as appropriate and ensure that all work meets required technical, clinical, & safety standards.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Main duties of the job

• Manufacture and assemble a range of components and equipment such as standing supports, trike parts, moulded toilet seats, metal brackets, and fabric/webbing assemblies using appropriate workshop machinery and materials.
• Assist senior & specialist technicians in building and manufacturing custom‑made equipment, including custom moulded wheelchair seating.
• Modify and adapt existing equipment to meet individual client needs as per instructions by Rehabilitation Engineers and Specialist Technicians.
• Carry out repairs, adjustments, and adaptations to assistive devices as directed by rehabilitation engineers and Senior technicians.
• Undertake servicing, maintenance, and small‑scale engineering jobs for clients as required.
• Ensure all manufactured, repaired, or adapted equipment is functional, safe, and of high technical quality.
• Maintain and improve product design by raising and contributing to Engineering Change Notes (ECNs).
• Keep accurate records of parts, materials, and work completed following departmental procedures.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and well‑being.
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex.
• Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement.
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities.
• Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staff.
• Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton.
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief network.
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust.

Our values -- Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence -- guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Workshop and Equipment Management

• Maintain the cleanliness, safety, and organisation of the workshop and machinery, including routine maintenance and cleaning after use.
• General housekeeping duties, ensuring all areas are tidy and well‑labelled.
• Contribute to the maintenance of stock items and assist with the manufacture of standard departmental components.

Documentation and Administration

• Complete technical documentation, job sheets, and service records for all work undertaken.
• Produce or update technical drawings using CAD software in line with departmental standards. (training will be provided where appropriate)
• Ensure traceability of work and proper documentation of equipment modifications and repairs.
• Work within the department's Quality Management System.

Communication and Working Relationships

The Rehabilitation Technician will communicate effectively and professionally with RES staff, management, therapists, clients, local services, and contractors.

• Work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop appropriate Assistive Technology solutions.
• Arrange appointments with staff and clients to adapt or fit items to postural equipment.
• Advise therapists, under supervision, on the technical aspects and safe use of equipment.
• Promote the work of the department by supporting open days, presentations, and visitor tours of the workshop when required.
• Plan and organise workload effectively, managing time and materials efficiently.
• Work independently within competence but seek guidance if presented with complex postural or clinical decisions.

Professional Development and Training

• Participate in a structured programme of on‑the‑job and external training as agreed with management.
• Keep informed of current rehabilitation and general engineering practices.
• Demonstrate processes and assist with the training or induction of new staff members.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Carry out duties in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, relevant statutory requirements, and local policies and procedures.
• Take responsibility for personal safety and that of colleagues, clients, and visitors in the workshop and clinical environments.
• Use all equipment, tools, and materials safely and correctly following training and departmental guidance.
• Report any incidents, hazards, or equipment faults promptly to management.
• Report issues to the Trust Estates Maintenance Department, issues relating to RES workshop as they are flagged up.

Person Specification

Experience

• Ability and experience to manufacture items using workshop engineering and hand tools/equipment with confidence, with minimal supervision.
• Confidence and competence in engineering skills & know when to seek assistance.
• Understanding of mechanical engineering techniques and processes and how they might best be used for a given application.

Qualifications and experience

• Level 3 City and Guilds in Mechanical Engineering qualification. or B /Tec Level 3 in mechanical engineering Or T level in mechanical engineering Or An equivalent level or higher of engineering qualification.
• Use of CAD (Fusion 360 ) or similar packages.

Skills and knowledge

• Ability to create and interpret engineering technical drawings.
• Ability to work as an effective team member.
• Knowledge of standard PC software packages e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, excel.
• Ability to organise own workload and work to tight timescales.
• Ability to advise on technical aspects of equipment produced.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully (verbally and in writing) with colleagues in the same and different disciplines and with clients and their families.
• Knowledge of electrical/ electronic engineering.
• An element of this job may involve working off site providing rehabilitation in the local community; therefore, the ability to travel to work off‑site, a driving licence is required.
• Knowledge & understanding of quality systems.

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.

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Rehabilitation Engineering Service (Chailey Clinical services)