Clinical Scientist and Deputy Head of Adult KM CAT

Job responsibilities

(Please refer to the attached Job description for more details)

As a Clinical Scientist and Deputy to the Head of Adult KMCAT, the post holder will be involved in patient care, as well as the day-to-day operational management of the service.

The postholder will:

• Provide highly specialist Clinical Engineering services, related to Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to the KMCAT Adult Team.
• Hold a clinical caseload, taking a lead role where appropriate, and working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to enable the KMCAT Adult Team to assess and support adults with the most complex needs.
• Operationally line manage the Band 7 Clinical Scientist within the KMCAT Service and to manage student/trainee clinical scientist placements.
• Take delegated responsibility for managing defined aspects of service delivery, development and governance within the KMCAT Adult Team.
• Deputise for the Head of Service, as required.
• Share with the Head of Adult KMCAT responsibility for ensuring the all service provision is of a high standard and meets the requirements of NHSE Service specification D01s/b.
• Promote the KMCAT Service at a national level and be involved in relevant projects and national working parties.
• Be the primary link to any supporting engineering services, such as the Wheelchair Assessment Service, leading the professional development and support of non-specialist Healthcare Scientists and other relevant professionals, in relation to the highly specialist area of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT).
• Be instrumental in the development of research and projects within the field.
• Support the development and delivery of the Services strategy for training and equipping local therapists and other professionals to address the AAC needs for those clients with less complex needs.
• Initiate and support quality improvement projects across the service
• Work with the Lead Clinical Technologist in ensuring all regulatory requirements are met for manufacturing bespoke equipment for the client group.
• Be a source of advice on EAT equipment and able to deal with technical issues within the team.
• Ensure safe working practices within the department.

• Please be aware that there will be some travelling involved to different sites, occasional clinics and possible home visits. You will need to be able to travel there in a timely effective manner

Experience

Essential

• oSignificant relevant post-registration experience.
• oExperience of professional and/or supervision/ line management of staff
• oExperience of training others
• oExperience of working with EAT
• oExperience of working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary environments.

Desirable

• oIn-depth experience within the specialist area of Rehabilitation Engineering.
• oExperience in dealing with human resource issues including recruitment, performance management and management of absence.
• oExperience of working with clients who require AAC.
• oExperience in contributing to policy, planning and service development.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to repair, maintain and provide advice on highly specialised computer, electronic and mechanical equipment
• Able to demonstrate excellent management and leadership skills
• Able to demonstrate excellent Project management
• Able to demonstrate excellent communication skills

Qualifcations

Essential

• Accredited Masters degree or equivalent in a relevant Engineering or Physics discipline (e.g Biomedical Engineering, Electronics, Medical Physics etc).
• State Registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health Professions Council.

Desirable

• Relevant PhD, or some clear indication of the ability to carry out research and development work.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Assistive Technology
• Appropriate qualification in management
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Membership of IPEM.

Knowledge

Essential

• Awareness of principal of clinical governance
• oKnowledge of AAC and EAT
• oUnderstanding of management processes and systems including quality and risk
• oUnderstanding of the roles of other professionals relevant to the client group and the principals of partnership

Desirable

• oPractical and theoretical knowledge of a range of sub disciplines of AT such as Telehealth/ care and postural management
• oIn-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework and standards applicable to the design, development, manufacture and adaptation of medical devices
• oIn depth knowledge of AAC and EAT

Other

Essential

• oA full U.K. driving license and own transport is essential for this post as part of the duties include extensive travel for servicing and repair
• oAble to handle and communicate complex and sensitive information, with clients, carers, families and professionals, in order to provide the best evidence-based care

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).