Clinical Engineer

A Clinical Engineer (or Bio-Engineer) designs equipment for monitoring, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation or research. They may design laser equipment or electronic aids for patients with disabilities and investigate the mechanics of the human body.

They use physical sciences and their knowledge of materials and manufacturing to make significant contributions to the diagnosis and the treatment of disease, and to the rehabilitation of patients with disabilities.

Duties include:

  • Designing and developing instruments for patient monitoring, diagnosis, treatment or research.
  • Responsibility for quality assurance of patient connected equipment in hospitals.
  • Building and Testing of new joint replacements, active implants and equipment used for various types of non-invasive (or ''Keyhole'') or precision surgery.
  • Those working in the Rehabilitation field may deal with custom design and manufacture of aids such as wheelchairs or speech synthesisers etc. and research into the mechanics of the body.

Clinical Engineers work closely with patients, technical, medical and administrative staff, as well as equipment manufacturers. Many engineers work in large departments that deal with a variety of medical physics activities and are encouraged to share their specialist knowledge.

Entry Requirements
Clinical Engineers usually require a first (1) or upper second (2:1) class honours degree in a subject specific to the specialist area they wish to work in. Most commonly acceptable are Degrees in Life Sciences (Biology, Microbiology, genetics or Biochemistry), Physics and Engineering. Science degrees related to medicine, such as Biomedical Science, Medical Physics, Medical Electronics or Biotechnology may also be considered.

Training
Graduates, on completion of a relevant Degree will then pursue a trainee period at Grade A and continue to study and train for qualifications in their chosen specialities. Training in Grade A involves a formal programme, with rotation between teaching and district general hospitals, overseen by a regional tutor.

This study can be done either full-time or part-time and will sometimes lead to an MSc and give part of the requirements for entry to the first stage of membership of the relevant professional body. The practical training normally takes place at a variety of different laboratories and both these aspects can last up to three years.

Career Prospects
Clinical Engineers who have completed Grade A training are eligible to compete for vacancies at Grade B, the main professional grade. Progress through Grade B posts is not automatic and salary will be linked to the job description.

Heads of Department and deputies in larger laboratories are employed at Grade C, which is equivalent to medical consultant staff.

How to apply
Click here to search for current NHS Scotland vacancies for Clinical Engineers

Vacancies are also advertised in local and national press.

Further details and application forms for most Grade A training posts can be obtained from the Clinical Scientists Recruitment Centre.

Applications for degree courses are made through The Universities and Colleges Admission Services.

Further Information
For more information about careers in Clinical Engineering, contact the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine