Clinical technologists in clinical engineering operate and monitor the safe use of hospital equipment. You will set up, test, repair and maintain complex medical equipment used to diagnose and treat patients.

The Work

Clinical technologists in clinical engineering work in one of four areas:

• medical engineering
• radiation engineering
• rehabilitation engineering
• renal technology

They calibrate, maintain, monitor, test, and repair specialist equipment and medical devices.

You could be:

• working with a wide range of medical equipment, calibrating, monitoring and testing
• carrying out fault finding, repair and maintenance, or responding to emergency callouts
• setting up and monitoring the early stages of newly designed equipment
• training medical and other staff how to use equipment and answering technical questions
• working with engineers to design or improve equipment, service and installation
• maintaining records, manuals and spare parts stock
• producing technical reports and reporting user feedback
• dealing with manufacturers, service staff, logistics, sales and management.

Pay

Trainee clinical technologists in clinical engineering working in the NHS are on Band 5, £31,892 to £39,735 a year.

After completing the IPEM training, clinical technologists in clinical engineering are on Band 6, £39,912 to £48,635 a year. The current pay scales are from April 2024.

Conditions

• You might work in a hospital workshop or laboratory.
• You may spend some time visiting patients on hospital ward and clinics.
• It may be necessary to visit patients at home.
• You would work around 40 hours a week. You might have to work shifts including evenings and weekends.
• You might have to lift heavy or awkward equipment.

Useful Subjects

• Design and Manufacture
• Engineering (SCQF Level 6)
• Engineering Science
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Practical Electronics
• SfW Engineering Skills

Getting In

To become a clinical technologist in clinical engineering, you must complete the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) Clinical Technologist Training Scheme. You’ll need a qualification at SCQF level 7 or above to apply. This could be done through a number of ways.

• HNC Applied Science or other relevant HNC (SCQF Level 7). For entry you would normally need 1-2 Highers including a science subject (usually Biology or Chemistry) plus subjects at National 5 including Maths.
• HND Mechanical Engineering or other relevant HND (SCQF Level 8). For entry you woud normally need 1-2 Highers including Maths or Physics plus subjects at National 5.
• BSc Hons Physics or other relevant degree (SCQF Level 10). For a degree you would require 4-5 good Highers including Maths and science or technological subjects. You may complete an HNC or HND first and then enter degree in 2^nd or 3^rd year.
• Entry is competitive so you may find it helpful to find some healthcare experience through work experience or volunteering.
• Most career opportunities are in the National Health Service (NHS). There are also jobs in private sector healthcare, in the healthcare industries, universities, manufacturing companies and in teaching and research.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

4677

3.5 %

RISE

2029

4842

  United Kingdom

2024

49457

4.8 %

RISE

2029

51809

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What Does it Take?

You should be:

• interested in science and technology
• able to work on your own
• able to keep calm and work under pressure
• willing to keep up to date with technology
• good at explaining complex technical information clearly to others.

You should have:

• good customer service skills
• excellent verbal and written communication skills
• good analytical and problem solving skills
• strong IT, electrical and mechanical skills.

Training

• You would complete the IPEM Clinical Technologist (SCQF Level 9) whilst working on the job.
• This is a two-year programme where your practical skills will be assessed and you will complete a portfolio of your work.
• One qualified you would register with the Register of Clinical Technologists (RCT)
• Once you are on the register, as part of your continuing professional development (CPD) you must keep your skills and knowledge up to date.

Getting On

• You could become a training supervisor with experience.
• There are opportunities to move into research.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.