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Procurement Commissioning & Facilities

Validation Engineer

Permanent

AfC Band 7

(£ 32,013 – 42,205per annum)

37.5 hours per week

(Home Based within Scotland)

Post Reference – IRC10883

The national decontamination agenda currently addresses a significant aspect of the public health agenda in relation to the control and prevention of Healthcare Associated Infection and iatrogenic transmission of vCJD.

Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) is a division of NHS National Services Scotland and provides operational guidance to NHSScotland bodies on a range of healthcare facilities topics. We deliver and co-ordinate effective advice and support in relation to national facilities, decontamination and equipping and technical matters which support and improve health and well-being services.

The Decontamination Team within HFS undertakes projects on behalf of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate. The aim of these projects is to improve the decontamination of medical devices undertaken within central, endoscope and local decontamination units throughout NHSScotland and the independent sector.

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Validation Engineer to join our existing team of home-based engineers, who carry out commissioning and annual testing of the full range of decontamination equipment (sterilizers, surgical instrument washer-disinfectors and endoscope washer-disinfectors) to ensure compliance with laid down standards and national guidance. The postholder’s role is to carry out an ongoing programme of annual testing on this equipment and to produce detailed technical reports on the findings.

The postholder must have a minimum of two years recent and appropriate experience in performing annual testing/validation on a wide range of decontamination equipment, preferably within a healthcare environment.

In addition, the postholder must be qualified to a minimum of HNC level in an appropriate engineering/microbiology/decontamination subject and must possess BTEC Test Person certificates for carrying out annual testing on large steam sterilizers, transportable sterilizers, instrument washer-disinfectors and endoscope washer-disinfectors.

The postholder will have excellent interpersonal, numeric, time-management and organisational skills and should be experienced in producing technical reports on the performance of decontamination equipment and presenting the findings to a wide range of stakeholders.

Ourbenefits package includes pension scheme, comprehensive range of work life balance policies, occupational health services, learning resource centres and discounted leisure, financial and shopping benefits.

For an informal discussion about this post, please telephoneNorman McLean, Validation Manager, Health Facilities Scotland on 0131 275 6562.

Furtherinformation on NSS is available from:

Closingdate for completed applications is25th August 2017

Pleasenote that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail only, so please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders).

JOB DESCRIPTION /
1. / JOB DETAILS
Job Number / S / H / S / G / 0 / 3 / 9
JOB HOLDER
JOB TITLE / Validation Engineer
IMMEDIATE SENIOR OFFICER / Manager – Validation & Associated Projects
DIVISION / Health Facilities Scotland
BRANCH / Procurement, Commissioning & Facilities
LOCATION / Home Based / VERSION2 / Date Job Evaluated
0 / 1 / 0 / 7 / 1 / 6
2. / job purpose
To carry out programmed testing and commissioning of the full range of decontamination equipment (e.g. sterilizers, surgical instrument washer-disinfectors and endoscope washer-disinfectors) to ensure compliance with laid down standards, national guidance and quality assurance requirements and to provide advice and technical services on the application and use of decontamination equipment to NHS Boards, the Scottish Government Health & Social Care Directive and other customers to ensure equipment meets laid down standards and guidance.
3. / DIMENSIONS
The post holder deals with NHS Boards, the Scottish Government Health & Social Care Directorate, equipment suppliers and trade organisations and customers outwith the NHS i.e. Universities, private hospitals, clinics and industry.
The Validation team conducts annual testing of decontamination equipment and commissions new equipment prior to it entering into service, in accordance with national standards and guidance. Steam testing, water sampling and microbiological sampling is also carried out in accordance with national standards and guidance. Precision temperature and pressure calibration work is also undertaken and engineers are assessed for competency in this area by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
The group has a broad remit of customers and carries out a variety of tests on approximately 500 major items of decontamination equipment e.g. sterilizers, washer disinfectors, endoscope washer disinfectors. Investigations are also carried out on behalf of the Investigation, Reporting & Incident Centre (IRIC).
Each annual validation test can take up to 5 days to complete depending upon the type of machine and manufacturer. Tests are carried out throughout the NHS and Private Sector in Scotland and with the expansion of the group some work further a field is required from time to time.
4. / ORGANISATION CHART
5. / ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT
Procurement Commissioning and Facilities (PCF), as a Strategic Business Unit (SBU) of NHS National Services Scotland, supports and improves the health and wellbeing of patients and the public through the provision of expert advice and specialist clinical, procurement and facilities services.
The Facilities Directorate of PCF (Health Facilities Scotland) is a multi-disciplinary organisation which works closely with the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate (SGHSCD) to establish professional and technical standards and best practice, including the promotion of new initiatives in the field of healthcare property and facilities management. This assists NHS Scotland in meeting the Government’s policy and strategic aims as well as its own targets. The Facilities Directorate provides national leadership and delivers effective support and advice in Property & Capital Planning, Asset Management, Equipping Services & Capital Projects, Engineering, Environment and Decontamination and Facilities Services.
Validation Services

Since the incorporation of the EU Medical Device Directives under Statute Law, this area has become a rapidly expanding resource offering specialist, expert technical services in decontamination science. The team of eight highly skilled Validation Engineers deliver on site decontamination equipment validation, calibration, training in sterilization and disinfection procedures and independent advice on decontamination processes, sterilizers, washer disinfectors, endoscope re-processors and related matters to SGHSCD and Health Boards. The Validation Engineers also work closely with Authorising Engineer (Decontamination) and HFS Equipping colleagues to commission new equipment in accordance with national guidance and standards to ensure patient and staff safety. The Validation Service is the only UKAS accredited validation service in the UK and works to national and international standards in compliance with current legislation. This is a high-risk, sensitive area where failure to meet standards would impact on patient and staff safety and clinical outcomes. Following raised concerns about Variant Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease (vCJD) and the ensuing Decontamination Review, the team’s work is focussed on supporting the Scottish Government in this national programme.

6. / KEY RESULT AREAS
Carries out an ongoing programme of testing on a full range of decontamination equipment to ensure that the established procedures, guidance and standards are complied with and produces detailed technical reports on the findings.
Advises a range of stakeholders (e.g decontamination and other related NHS staff, university staff, doctors, primary care practitioners, consultant microbiologists, laboratory managers, pharmacists etc) regarding validation of decontamination equipment.
Liaises with AE(D), project manager and procurement colleagues on the commissioning of new equipment to ensure that new installations are completed to the required standards.
Assist IRIC investigations in relation to validation of decontamination equipment .
Carries out research/technology appraisal into the field to learn and gain understanding of new processes and developments and driving improvement in relation to the validation of decontamination equipment.
Maintains information systems relating to validation of decontamination equipment installed in Scotland to ensure that comprehensive information is available to customers.
Advises customers and individual users regarding appropriate methods of decontaminating instruments and operation of equipment to ensure that all published requirements are complied with and that best practice is followed.
Trains staff at Trust level in the use of decontamination equipment to ensure staff are conversant with laid down procedures and working instructions.
Develop an accurate validation report within the timeline and quality as agreed with the manager
Follow working practice in the SOPs that have been developed in accordance with the national guidance and standard
Reports activity weekly into the planning and scheduling system. Information entered relates to what was done, where it was done, when it was done, what the outcome was and ensures that the historical and forward schedule is kept up to date and that it accurately reflects activity. This is a critical activity for future workload planning
Carries out highly accurate temperature and pressure calibrations on highly specialist and often complex decontamination equipment to United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) standards.
Placing orders for microbiological test kits for endoscope washer-disinfector testing, sending samples for analysis, collecting results and reporting findings in a timely manner.
Liaising with contractors to maintain a high level of equipment knowledge and to ensure that customers’ equipment is installed, maintained and tested in accordance with national standards and guidance.
7. / ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK AND DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
In consultation with the Validation Manager, the broader and longer-term issues will be identified in line with the national decontamination agenda and methods of dealing with them decided upon.
Ideas and initiatives designed to improve services to clients, or reduce costs and prices of increase productivity will be generated by the post holder and discussed with the Validation Manager.
The post holder will continuously review work to ensure that satisfactory standards are achieved and will brief the Validation Manager regularly on progress against delivery of projects. The Validation Manager will review work formally for quality, quantity and the achievement of personal objectives via a system of performance appraisal.
The Engineers react to a pre-planned schedule of work they are then free to discuss the programme of work and re-allocate this between them if required. Each individual is then free to schedule and prioritise their workload while liaising and sharing this information with administration.
Validation Services has UKAS accreditation, (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), and representatives from the service will assess the postholder on a yearly basis.
The postholder, based on test results, advises customers whether decontamination equipment should remain in service. Taking equipment out of service could result in cancellation of operations and will also have a cost implication for the customer who will have to make alternative arrangements until the equipment is repaired/replaced.
The postholder produces reports on the performance and safety of the equipment and the customers use these reports to make their decisions on what action to take.
If the postholder notices bad working practices, he will bring this to the attention of the AE(D). This could lead to a change in the customer’s standard operating procedures.
The postholders base their decisions on guidelines and legislation which come from a variety of sources (EU and UK legislation, NHS guidelines, in-house reference manual) and need to know which part of which regulation applies in each case.
8. / COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Due to the nature of their work, Validation Engineers spend 90% of their time out of the office on site and there is a need for good daily communication links by phone and e-mail to keep up to date with new initiatives and developments.
Works closely with the Division’s Hazard Co-ordinator to ensure the issue of accurate Hazard Notifications and Fatal Accident Enquiry Reports which may happen about 1 or 2 times a year.
Liaises with the HFS Decontamination team, including Authorising Engineers [AE(D)s] to provide co-ordinated services and advice to NHS Scotland clients in relation to the decontamination of medical devices.,

External

Liaises with manufacturers and specialist staff (i.e. Principal Microbiologists, Medical Staff, Senior Estates Officers) at all levels required regarding decontamination equipment testing matters to ensure that the most relevant, up to date and appropriate solutions are applied..
Liaises meets and corresponds with customers, both within and out with the NHS in Scotland to discuss contractual arrangements and to seek customer feedback.
Daily contact with customers to make arrangements for suitable time for visits – this can involve an element of negotiation and rescheduling of work so that customer’s operational needs can be satisfied in addition to accommodating the testing procedures.
Daily need to explain to decontamination/engineering staff, both clinical and non-clinical, including equipment operators, supervisors and management at NHS and non-NHS sites, the outcome of testing, reasons for doing particular tests and explain to operational staff methods to adopt when using different types of equipment.
During commissioning of new equipment and at other times on request, provides training in the use of equipment to operators and engineers, ranging from basic loading techniques to technical details about interim testing procedures. Numbers trained at a time could range from one to 10.
Informing clients of equipment performance issues identified during a periodic test performed can be highly contentious. A fault identified during testing might mean that patients have been exposed to a risk of cross infection since the last successful test was performed on that machine. Such risks can be minor or could be life changing/threatening for the patient depending upon what infectious material they have been exposed to. The post holder is required to communicate the results to the client in a tactful, diplomatic and re-assuring manner and co-operation is required to assist the client with any investigation into the fault. If there has been a failure to decontaminate, this information must be conveyed without fear of reaction while being aware that this will mean re-tracing of instrumentation and identification of possible risks.
9. / MOST CHALLENGING PART OF THE JOB
Making sure that work is completed on time, to specification and at minimum cost within the available resources.
Continually maintaining and improving technical and scientific skills to ensure a first class service to customers.
Managing time effectively, continuously reorganizing to react to changing priorities, whilst still being pleasant to work with and effective.
10. / SYSTEMS
The post holder makes extensive use of the Validation team’s bespoke information management software (Tutos) which is used to maintain the national database of NHS decontamination equipment. This software is unique to HFS Validation Services and it is used for planning, scheduling, recording of engineers’ chargeable and non-chargeable activities, preparing customer quotations, generating invoices, tracking project progress, etc. Completed test reports are uploaded to this database and engineers’ hours are recorded here at the end of each job.
The data logging system used by all the members of the HFS Validation Services Group on a daily basis is called TQSoft. Other information systems used on a regular basis include:-

• Validation Team/HFS Standard Operating Procedures
• Timesheet, HFS Flexitime and Travel & Subsistence claim documentation - completing, and monitoring.
• E-KSF
• National & international decontamination, engineering, electrical, construction standards & guidance .
• Advanced Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access & Outlook
• Internet and intranet (HFS/NSS)
• Customer Logging Systems - eg. Betamon, Eurotherm, 32 bit companion, PDVS

11. / PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL EFFORT
Physical Effort
Levels of physical effort can vary from light to heavy physical effort during a typical day. Engineers are required to load and unload heavy and bulky test equipment boxes and cases in and out of the car and departments. A transportation trolley is provided to assist with the movement of equipment. Individual pieces of equipment range between 5kg and 20kg in weight. A typical “test pack” will contain about 12 different items.
The job requires engineers to spend a good deal of their time standing, normally in a plant environment or production area, where there can be extremes of temperature and noise.
The time spent sitting when computer input is required may sometimes be in cramped hunched conditions due to the nature of the activity and the location.
A substantial part of the day can be spent driving to locations throughout Scotland – journeys can last from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
About 1 day a week may be spent completing reports and carrying out administration at the office where the major part of the day is spent using the PC and VDU.

Mental Effort

Driving to and from work places (throughout the UK) requires extended periods of concentration and can be stressful. Driving is often required at non-core times of the day e.g. early in the morning or late at night.
There are periods of minimum to high concentration when recording cycle data often covering many areas of focus such as gauges computer readings and time clocks etc all at approximately the same time during the process and for times ranging from 30 minutes up to 3 hours.
Pressure to complete work in a quicker timeframe is sometimes experienced when tight deadlines and volume of work issues occur. Customer requirements for equipment use and down time complaints can also add to pressure. These take many forms and can result in extension to the working day and to the working week.
Occasionally unpredictable working patterns are experienced, through unexpected absence, equipment failures or customer demands for attention taking priority. This results in disruption to job planning and can add more pressure to the engineers working in the pool to meet the demand.
There are many different types of equipment to be tested, requiring different instrumentation and testing methodologies and also different engineering systems to bear in mind. Concentration and attention to detail is required to ensure that the correct equipment is available and that the correct method is used.