MRC UNIT THE GAMBIA

Job Description

Biomedical Engineering Technologist (BMET)

Biomedical Engineering Department

1. Job title: Biomedical Engineering Technologist (BMET)

2. Accountability

The post holder will be accountable to the head of Biomedical Engineering.

3. Responsibility:

The post-holder will undertake full and leading responsibilities on specialists’ areas of technologies with very minimum supervision, focusing on these higher level and complex technologies; Centrifuges, Sterilizers, Minor Clinical and Laboratory Equipment, The post-holder will also directly supervise assistant BMETS, support other specialists’ areas of technologies as directed which will allow for the optimization of MRC Unit, the Gambia research programs and services, and is expected to be appropriately trained, understand and implement the Unit’s quality standards and safety requirements.

4. Introduction:

Established in 1947, the Medical Research Council The Gambia has an international reputation for ground-breaking research into some of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the tropics. Achievements include a large trial showing the efficacy of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine in The Gambia and the subsequent near elimination of the disease, pioneering studies of the impact of insecticide treated bed nets as a preventive measure against malaria leading up to their worldwide use, studies demonstrating the impact of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines on pneumonia and child mortality and the demonstration of a dramatic reduction in the carriage of Hepatitis B in The Gambia due to the effects of vaccination.

To reflect changes in national and global health priorities and new international funding opportunities a new research portfolio has been organized under three themes: Disease Control & Elimination; Vaccines & Immunity and Nutrition. These themes have been selected to target health needs of developing countries, to reinforce sub-regional and international collaborations and to address some of the major current priorities in the Millennium Global Health Goals.

Biomedical Engineering Department has a sustainable technology management programme, enabling clinical services and laboratory research at the Unit by providing a stable and reliable equipment platform to its site facilities.

3. Grade: 4, 21 Points.

5. Key Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for accomplishing the following:

  1. To be department’s first and lead contact person on flow cytometry equipment, clinical chemistry analyzers, bacterial disease and genetic technologies
  1. To perform the following tasks on these technologies;
  1. Equipment commissioning, preventive and corrective maintenance, user maintenance and training support and equipment decommissioning.
  1. Managing, specifying and procuringreplacement parts, ensuring test equipment are calibrated, as well as assist in developing specifications for new and replacement technologies
  1. Establishing preventive maintenance procedures as recommended by the SOP, Planning and correction of infrastructure issues which may affect these biomedical technologies
  1. Maintaining an up-to-date data of work history on the equipment database
  1. To be department’s second or third contact person on Liquid Nitrogen Plants, Oxygen Supply Systems, Incubators
  1. Provide direct supervision and training of Biomedical Engineering Technologist Assistant(s) who are assigned and may not have the specialist skills as required.
  1. To participate in updating and implementing department’s quality systems such as policies, SOPs, and relevant safety rules and regulations as laid down in the MRC Safety Manual
  1. To undertake further or refresher training commensurate with the needs of the post.

8. Relationships:

  1. The post holder will be a full-time member of the MRC.
  2. The post holder will report to Mr Joel StrunzKumado.
  3. The Unit Director is Professor Umberto D’Alessandro.
  4. The Director of Operations is Mr. Joan Vives Tomas.
7.Appraisals

Appraisals are held at least annually

8.Length of appointment

The appointment is up to 31st March 2021 and is subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

9.Any other duties

To perform other duties consistent with the remit of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Biomedical Engineering Technologist (BMET)

Essential

A level 2 city and guilds certificate or diploma in electronic technology

  • (note:certificates in Biomedical Engineering will be considered equivalent).
  • Demonstrated ability in the trouble shooting, repair, and calibration of sophisticated electronic and electro-mechanical devices.
  • Ability to specialize and take lead support rolls in at least three specialized area of sophisticated high-level biomedical technologies (e.g., x-ray, haematology, sterilization, etc.).
  • Ability to supervise junior staff and/or studentsensuring that high standards are maintained at all times.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to work co-operativelyin a team
Desirable

A minimum of 3 years experience in the biomedical engineering field.

  • Demonstrated ability to work in a highlydisciplined manner in an engineering/technology management environment based on previous experience.
  • Ability to work unsupervised in possible remote locations and in the process further and support the overall objectives of the department, research and clinical projects and the organization as a whole.
  • General understanding of human physiology and biomedical technologies of the clinical and laboratory environment
  • Ability to participate in incident investigations, projects, MRC committees and meetings.