Job summary

ORLAU (Orthotic Research and Locomotor Assessment Unit) delivers a number of specialist services within the field of rehabilitation engineering, including gait analysis. The department is also active in research, development and education.

This post provides an exciting opportunity for a clinical scientist to develop expertise across ORLAU's movement analysis and rehabilitation engineering services, working as part of a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, physiotherapists, orthotists, technicians and administrative staff. There are also three senior registered clinical scientists in the department who will provide support as the postholder develops in their role.

The post requires a clinical engineer with registration as a clinical scientist. We are, however, keen to hear from anyone within 12 months of clinical scientist registration who might be interested in applying.

Responsibilities include both clinical sessions and engineering project work, both for ORLAU's clinical services and to support research and development programmes.

Applicants from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - (

Main duties of the job

Clinical work includes the assessment of patients by examination and also using a range of specialist measurement technologies.

Design and development, in accordance with the UK MDR, of mechanical, electrical & software-based solutions to complex patient and service needs, along with delivery and maintenance of such devices as part of ORLAU's clinical services.

ORLAU has ISO 9001/13485 registration and the postholder will support senior engineers in developing the quality management system and maintaining regulatory compliance.

The postholder will be required to supervise technicians, taking delegated responsibility from more senior engineers when required.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH)is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Service

To develop an integral role within multi-disciplinary teams working alongside consultants, doctors, physiotherapists and other allied healthcare professionals.

The post holder will have a good appreciation of the clinical needs of the patient groups served by the department and understanding of appropriate and effective delivery of treatment.

To take a clinical caseload of movement analysis and rehabilitation engineering patients, performing measurements and assessments for the suitability of a range of assistive technologies (for example Ankle Foot Orthoses, Functional Electrical Stimulation). This will involve having direct contact with patients, including children, with mobility disabilities and accompanying communication and learning difficulties.

To process, analyse and report movement analysis data, using specialist software (for example 3D movement analysis, digital video, oxygen consumption, plantar pressure measurement)

To explain complex test procedures and results to technical and non-technical clinical staff, interpreting uncertainties and explaining, and where possible correcting, artefacts.

To participate in multidisciplinary review meetings with clinical colleagues (physiotherapists, orthotists and consultants)

To advise on the purchase of new technical equipment for the laboratories.

To translate new research developments into clinical service practice. To provide support, both clinical and technical, for ORLAUs offsite services, working independently through our satellite clinics and contracted mobile gait analysis services.

Engineering project work

The postholder is required to conduct a number of engineering projects. The exact composition will depend on clinical service needs. Projects will be delegated by one of the more senior engineers, however the postholder is required to manage each project, including goal setting, progress monitoring, reporting and budget management.

The postholder will also need to liaise with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, either through existing team meetings or dedicated project meetings.

Projects will include the following:

Development of new techniques for processing and reporting clinical data, overseeing the translation of these into clinical practice (this will involve using specialist software, but also developing software through writing code using packages such as Matlab).

Introduction and commissioning of new technologies. Design and testing of prototype measurement and assistive technologies (this will involve the use of specialist software such as 3D CAD/CAM packages and Matlab)

Translation of ORLAU research projects into clinical practice and design and introduction of new technology (hardware and software) in support of ORLAUs offsite services.

Management

To assume delegated responsibility as lead engineer in movement analysis or rehabilitation engineering in the absence of more senior staff.

To supervise the work of technicians as required. To supervise the project work of ORLAUs Band 6 clinical scientist trainees.

To take responsibility for arranging training placements for clinical scientist trainees from other centres, particularly those coming from partners within the regional training network (Oswestry, Liverpool and North Wales), making sure all paperwork is complete and placements are planned and activities timetabled.

Quality Management

To be aware of the requirements of ISO 9001/13485 and the Quality Management structures within the Movement Analysis Service, including the requirements of the national CMAS standards.

To produce and modify the QA procedures used in ORLAUs clinical services, in particular ensuring new technical developments are supported with appropriate procedures and documentation.

To schedule and organise calibration sessions (movement analysis and rehab engineering equipment).

To conduct internal audits in line with ISO 9001/13485

Education and training

To maintain the in-depth knowledge of technical and clinical subjects which make up the clinical engineering discipline, keeping up to date with research developments.

To provide training for ORLAU staff in areas of expertise on a formal and informal basis. To contribute to ORLAUs educational programme of external courses.

To maintain an understanding of the Modernising Scientific Careers STP training scheme, in particular the requirements for clinical engineering.

To train Band 6 clinical scientist trainees as part of ORLAUs education programme, conducting assessments through the National Schools on-line assessment tool.

Research, Development and Audit

To maintain GCP training and understand the regulatory procedures for running research projects.

To provide engineering support for existing research projects within the department.

To participate in data collection, processing and analysis for subjects involved in current research projects.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Physical Skills, Effort and Working Conditions

Maintain a busy clinical workload (The postholder will spend at least 30% of their working week conducting lengthy patient appointments).

Maintain concentration during prolonged assessment procedures (taking up to 4 hours) ensuring that all the data (medical history, clinical examination, energy of walking test, 3-dimensional movement data, electromyography, pedobarography, and video) required for clinical decision making is acquired during the single assessment. (These assessments require moderate physical effort. The job involves very occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions eg vomit, urine and faeces)

Deal with children, especially those with learning difficulties, attending the unit who can sometimes become distressed during the assessment procedures performed by unfamiliar adults. (around 50% of ORLAUs patients are children and around 25% of adults and children have learning difficulties)

Conduct engineering project work requiring intense concentration in an office shared with other staff and with frequent interruptions.

Person Specification

Qualificatio

Essential

First degree in relevant engineering discipline Education to Masters level Professional registration as a Clinical Scientist

Experience

Essential

Relevant experience of both 3D clinical movement analysis and assistive technologies. The level expected is that of a newly qualified clinical scientist. Experience of working with children and/or people with special needs.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Creative engineering problem-solving skills, ability to innovate and apply established engineering principles in novel applications Ability to write, implement and test code (for example Matlab or Python routines Excellent analytical and technical skills Excellent communication skills, able to communicate with clinical staff, both technical and non-technical, and patients. Able to communicate complex technical information to non-expert staff. Current driving licence

Knowledge

Essential

Understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, along with common neuromusculoskeletal pathologies.