Clinical Skills Technician - Infrastructure and Facilities - 56602 - Band 500

Position Details

Infrastructure and Facilities - College of Medical and Dental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £23,699 to £25,458, with potential progression once in post to £29,471

Band 500

Full time - Permanent

Closing date 14 October 21

Our offer to you
 
People are at the heart of what we are and do. 
 
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university.  We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. 
 
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.  With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. 
 
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate.  We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. 
 
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements.  We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working.  In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. 
 
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site.  On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.  
 
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham 

Job context

The post holder is part of a technical team who will provide core support for the delivery of the College of Medical & Dental Sciences clinical skills teaching commitments. The post holder will be, in partnership with academic staff, responsible for the day-to-day planning, preparation and co-ordination of clinical teaching sessions and other activities within the Clinical Skills Suite.

Job summary

You will provide technical expertise, support and guidance in either teaching support. You may supervise a number of technical staff, but even where you do not directly supervise staff you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach others as appropriate.

To support the clinical skills teaching areas you will need a significant understanding of the requirements to support and deliver skills sessions, an in-depth understanding of all main subject areas, the ability to respond quickly and positively to changes in protocols, and troubleshoot problems, and optimise methodology to ensure a positive student experience. You may need to operate out of normal working hours to accommodate classes.   

In order to flexibly use resource you may be offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the department or wider university.

Main duties

Teaching duties

•    If in a supervisory position, you will supervise the day to day activities of a number of other technical staff. 
•    You will provide support and guidance, and work closely with your staff in relation to working requirements, working environment, staff wellbeing, identifying any training requirements as appropriate.  
•    Even if you are not in a supervisory position you will still be expected to act as a role model and coach staff in the locality.
•    You will discuss the daily programme of work with your manager and other technical staff in the area to ensure the daily programme of work, session protocols and outcomes are clear.
•    You will plan, based on the available timetabling information, the most efficient/effective means to turnaround the daily classes. 
•    You will research, design, trial & modifying protocols for class teaching.
•    Support the technical manager where required and to deputise for them in their absence.
•    Keeping the technical manager informed as to changes to protocols/sessions, content of any discussions with academic session leads and other matters relating to the clinical skills areas.
•    Initiate discussion with the technical manager on any issues that may compromise the core function of the clinical skills areas or for information that is related to the core functions of the area.
•    Instruct and provide high level technical support for students in the correct and safe handling of clinical equipment including preparation of samples, analysis methods and preparation techniques.
•    Preparation of a diverse range of materials used during skills sessions, to be able to calculate and prepare a range of diagnostic/chemical reagents (stocks and working solutions), be able to accurately and reproducibly dispense reagents and provide a consistent results delivery service.
•    Prepare and support open day, Applicant Visitor Day events, Continuous Professional Development and other external requirements within the laboratories or other areas as and when required.
•    Oversee that the clinical skills areas are suitably prepared for sessions and the setup/takedown of equipment/materials used during sessions.
•    Check session layouts prior to classes and ensure that all requirements are in place.
•    Be familiar with the use of a broad spectrum of general clinical equipment and specialised equipment.
•    Demonstrate equipment use, high level techniques and procedures to staff and students.
•    Trouble-shoot and respond to problems, which may occur during practical sessions, using your in-depth knowledge and your ability to diagnose/resolve problems and suggest solutions.

Health and Safety duties

•    Proactive support for health and safety within the clinical skills areas.  This may include being required to look after a communal area as part of your duties.  Comply with all current rules and ensure all required assessments are in place, approved and up to date.
•    Fully understand the safety aspects of equipment operation and be able to demonstrate/train staff (at all levels) on the correct usage of the equipment.
•    Ensuring that regular maintenance processes are carried out and that appropriate records are maintained.
•    Reporting any breaches or non-compliance with H&S procedures to the relevant manager(s).
•    Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for clinical waste.
•    Upholding the correct waste disposal stream as governed by College and local policy for the area.
•    Postholders may be asked to undergo training as a First Aider.

General Administration and Organisation

•    Ensuring all records are accurate and kept up to date.
•    Proactively maintain stocks of consumables, and when required generate purchase order requisitions using University systems.
•    Receipt and correct storage of consumables/equipment and chemical/diagnostic reagents.
•    Ensuring that the facilities are maintained in a clean, functional and safe condition, reporting any problems through the appropriate channels.
•    Ensuring that PAT testing, calibration of equipment and locally and centrally held equipment inventories are up to date and maintained.
•    Adopt a proactive attitude to assisting with and implementing carbon reduction and energy saving measures.
•    Maintain a technical support based teaching laboratory website (how to guides for the preparation of materials, practical setup guides), and keeping these up to date as and when session requirements or protocols change or maintaining relevant research lab databases/records.

Other Duties

•    In collaboration with the relevant manager the post holder will take an active role in the training and mentoring process for junior or newly appointed staff.
•    Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others.
•    Any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

The role will require substantial knowledge of clinical skills and related subject areas gained through working experience and/or formal qualification. Having the ability to demonstrate.

•    Extensive relevant workplace experience, equivalent professional qualification or degree in an appropriate subject.
•    GCSE level 2 (A*- C) or equivalent level 2 qualification in mathematics and English. 
•    In-depth practical knowledge of relevant technical and scientific methods. 
•    Extensive experience of similar based work, together with familiarity with a wide range of clinical based equipment.
•    Positive service attitude and shows courtesy in dealing with others.
•    Ability to organise and manage own work load and demonstrate flexibility in terms of work practices/requirements.
•    Ability to work under minimal supervision but function as part of a team. 
•    Knowledge of current legislation relevant to the role.
•    Knowledge of current H&S policies and ability to uphold same.
•    Proficiency in commonly used software packages.
•    Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace
•    Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures

Informal enquires to Derrick Chilton email: [email protected]

Further particulars can be found here:http://www.download.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/jd/MDSFPs.pdf

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment 
  
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.