Technologist, Biomedical

Biomedical Technologist

Department

Biomedical

Entity

Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi is a private not-for-profit teaching hospital that provides tertiary and secondary level healthcare services. It is the first hospital in East Africa to be accredited by the Joint Commission International from the USA. The University Hospital has been providing high quality care for the people of East Africa and beyond for over 60 years.

Under moderate supervision, repair, calibrate, and maintain Medical Equipment, instrumentation, and support systems of moderate complexity used within the Aga Khan University Hospital healthcare delivery to support AKUH patient diagnosing and treatment. Inspect, install, and perform inventory assessments and preventive maintenance of medical equipment.

Responsibilities:

Equipment Maintenance

· Provide technical support for clinical equipment throughout the AKUHN healthcare system as assigned, including scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, maintaining parts inventories, performing rounds on clinical (patient care) units to verify proper equipment use and operation, and participating in on-call rotation.

· Coordinate and/or participate in requests for special projects, such as new equipment acquisition purchase and installation planning, acceptance testing, renovations, equipment upgrades, and equipment disposal.

· Approve new biomedical equipment by conducting self-tests; ensuring adherence to codes; making modifications when necessary.

· Develop and monitor compliance with equipment Preventive Maintenance (PPM) schedules and guidelines. Perform Preventive Maintenance Services (PPM) and electrical safety testing of clinical equipment, devices, and systems.

· Perform incident investigation and equipment performance analysis as required.

· Develop and review emergency and safety plans related to use and operation of critical patient care equipment.

· Implement appropriate repairs, install, maintain, calibrate, and inspect medical equipment and instrumentation, including life support devices.

· Promptly and properly respond to medical equipment Break-Down Maintenance (BDM) work requests/service calls. Diagnose and correct system and equipment malfunctions.

· Assist with and evaluate third-party repairs.

· Provide spare parts and consumables requirement to Departmental Manager as and when needed.

· Drive positive customer satisfaction by maintaining daily communications with end-users to ensure resolution and proper follow-up.

Tools and Repairs

· Ensure proper care of spares, tools and test Ensure proper care of spares, tools and test equipment and ensure calibration.

· Maintain approved parts inventory and manage vendor's service delivery processes.

· Perform other related duties as assigned, such as pre-purchase assistance, regulatory compliance assistance, and medical equipment disposition plus clinical incident investigations.

· Liaison with user and monitor vendors' performance during post warranty period as per contract agreement.

· Requisitioning, pre-approval and quality inspection of spare parts and all other supplies requisitioned for Clinical and Biomedical Purposes and Activities

Staff Training & Working Relationships

· Individual will maintain good personal relationships Train all Technical Staff/Biomedical Technicians on proper testing and other procedures to follow when performing scheduled maintenances on devices maintained by the Biomedical Engineering Department.

· Develop patient care equipment safety and device-specific in-service programs for presentation to the clinical staff throughout all locations, and perform in-service education to patient care equipment users as needed.

· Direct medical equipment operation by providing equipment operation demonstrations; instructing other healthcare staff in use and care of equipment; answering questions; providing information/literature.

· Assist the Department Manager and other Biomedical Engineering Staff in the evaluation and supervision of technical staffs as they perform duties and responsibilities related to technical support, maintenance, and repair of patient care equipment.

· Supervise and participate in in-service training of new Biomedical Technicians and Clinical Staffs concerning use and operation of patient care equipment.

· May assist more and less experienced Technicians on basic and complex repairs/resolution respectively.

· Enhance and maintain technical knowledge of current standards, codes and procedures regarding safe and effective use of medical equipment through formal instruction.

· Individual will maintain good personal relationships with fellow workers, nursing and medical staff, vendors, manufacturers, and the general public.

· Will be expected to participate in meetings, seminars, trainings, workshops, and conferences as required.

· Work as a member of a local team to provide efficient service delivery to all accounts within assigned areas.

· Provide mentoring to student interns and volunteers.

· Will maintain a clean and safe work place.

Record Keeping & Quality Assurance

·    Document all repair actions and submit reports/ Document all actions and test results according to department policy, using the computerized maintenance management software applications (Care-2000 EMS Programme), and other standard office software applications.

• Participate in the development of department-and system-wide quality assurance indices or continuous quality improvement initiatives related to the proper use or maintenance and repair of patient care equipment.

·    Generate reports based upon the assessment of this data. Assist with assessment of department performance against quality standards, including performing audits as required.

·      Review patient care equipment safety alerts and recall notices and take appropriate actions to ensure the affected equipment is tested or removed from service, where appropriate.

· Understand and comply with Joint Commission and other applicable standards and regulations.

· Document all repair actions and submit reports/summaries according to schedule.

· Maintain documentation on new equipment, inspections, and equipment operation and maintenance.

· Review outcome of Preventive Maintenance actions and make recommendations to Department Manager concerning improvements.

·       Ensure that appropriate and timely feedback is given to Manager, users, and other parties regarding Biomedical Maintenance related issues. 

·   Improves biomedical equipment performance by studying machine-patient interaction; conferring with equipment users; developing modifications; collaborating with equipment manufacturers.

· Maintains biomedical equipment supplies inventory by checking stock; anticipating needs; placing and expediting orders; verifying receipt.

· Maintains patient confidence by keeping information confidential.

Requirements:

Requirements 

• Diploma in Biomedical Engineering from a reputable Institution, Bachelor's Degree will be preferred.

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (minimum grade of C+)

• Registered with AMEK (Association of Medical Engineers of Kenya).

•   Minimum 5 years of experience in Medical Technology Management.

• Minimum of 5 years' (Co-op time applicable) of experience performing troubleshooting and planned maintenance on electronic, electromechanical medical equipment following current standards, code, and procedures to ensure safe and effective operation of those devices.

• Advanced experience in interpreting schematic diagrams to perform effective repair and planned maintenance on basic biomedical or electronics equipment.

• Ability to use basic computer software packages (word processing, spreadsheets, work order tracking, inventory management, ad database).
• Ability to write reports and make presentations on operational and technical issues.
• Knowledge of the application and repair of computers and servers and how they interface with medical equipment.
• Knowledge of color code conventions used in component and wiring marking.
• Ability to run diagnostic programs.
• Ability to lift up to medium weight equipment and to walk, kneel, bend, and reach while installing and repairing equipment.
• Skill in testing electronic equipment.
• Skill in manual dexterity, hand-to-eye coordination, and color vision.

• Specific Experience related to theatre, dialysis, critical care, laboratory equipment will have added advantage.

Personal Characteristics

• Must be proficient at developing and maintaining good customer relations.
• Must have analytical and communication skills with the ability to communicate technical issues to the customer in an easy to understand manner.
• Experience interfacing with both internal team members and external customers as part of a solution based service process.
• Must be able to travel for technical training events with a valid Kenyan Passport.
• Individual must be pro-active and take held accountable for their actions.
• Incumbents should be able to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as a dedicated team player to achieve common goals.
• Must up-date their knowledge and training by studying manuals and attending training sessions, explain operation and care of equipment to medical personnel, ensure safety and compliance with regulations and inspect equipment.
• Must be polite with the ability to make patients feel comfortable when repairing equipment around them.
• Should be detail-oriented and very well organized.
• These professionals must be calm under pressure, practical and methodological in the approach, self-directed, and capable of handling stressful situations effectively.
• Flexible with their work timings and willingness to share on-call responsibilities.