Clinical engineers, sometimes known as bio-engineers, research, design, develop and maintain technology and equipment used to meet patients' clinical needs both during and after medical treatment. They work in the fields of instrumentation, rehabilitation and biomaterials. The work includes:

• building and testing prototypes
• running clinical trials
• evaluating results
• building products.

Engineers design and develop assistive technology, for example, wheelchairs, walking aids, speech synthesizers or robotic and electronic technology used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. This often involves custom building products to match as closely as possible the requirements of the individual.

They also develop and test replacement prostheses, for instance, by using microelectronic technology, they can integrate sensors on an artificial limb with the patient's own nervous system. They create new types of artificial joint, heart valves and hearing implants, using a variety of new biocompatible materials in order to minimise bodily rejection. Engineers employ biomechanical research techniques to analyse in greater detail the problems encountered by patients who have undergone prosthetic treatments.

Engineers design and build equipment which enables new forms of medical treatment to evolve, for example, precision instruments used in minimally-invasive techniques, such as keyhole surgery and image-guided surgery systems.

Engineers are also responsible for the day-to-day management of medical equipment, such as scanners, imaging equipment, and physiological measuring and monitoring equipment, scheduling quality assurance checks to ensure they are functioning correctly and safely.

They work closely with other medical professionals, technical staff and patients, and are employed by the health service, medical equipment manufacturers and university research departments.

Hours and Environment

Clinical engineers normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. In hospitals, they may have extra on-call or standby duties. Part time work is possible.

Those employed in hospitals spend about half their time in clinics and the rest in workshops. In research and industry, the work is laboratory based.

Skills and Interests

To be a clinical engineer you should:

• have a keen interest in the application of engineering to overcome clinical problems
• have strong analytical skills and an innovative approach to problem solving
• have excellent communication skills for dealing with people at all levels
• be sensitive to patients' needs
• have excellent technical knowledge
• be able to prioritise and plan effectively
• be able to work in a multidisciplinary team
• be able to work within budgetary constraints
• continually update knowledge of scientific, engineering and medical research.

Entry

The minimum requirement to start training or working as a clinical engineer is an accredited degree or postgraduate degree in science or engineering. Relevant subject areas include:

• clinical engineering
• life sciences
• physics
• medical physics
• biomedical science
• medical electronics
• mechanical or materials engineering.

Minimum entry requirements for a degree are five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three Highers, usually including maths and physics. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.

An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

Once you have completed your qualification, you can move into the private sector and begin working as a clinical engineer, for example, with a medical equipment manufacturer. If you want to work in the health service, you will be required to undertake further training on the NHS programme outlined in Training below.

The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) has details of accredited training courses and careers information for this role. NHS Careers also has information about the role of a clinical engineer. See their contacts in Further Information.

Training

To work in the NHS, you will need state registration. This is achieved by embarking on a graded work-based training route (Grades A, B and C). New entrants begin on the Grade A path, normally taking around 2 years to complete and leading to a postgraduate MSc qualification (this may be reduced if you already hold an accredited postgraduate award). On successful completion of this training, you are awarded the IPEM Diploma, which can later help in achieving chartered engineer status.

Grade B is a professional grade for clinical engineers. Engineers begin to specialise in their particular area of expertise. Attainment of Grade B status normally takes about 4 years.

Grade C is the highest status and usually awarded to engineers who have departmental responsibility and/or have made a significant contribution to the field of clinical engineering.

Full details of graded training paths, gaining chartered status and professional development options can be found on the IPEM website. The Engineering Council also has details about routes to chartered status for those working inside or outside the NHS. See Further Information.

Opportunities

Employers include hospitals, universities, research establishments such as the Medical Research Council, and manufacturers of medical equipment. In universities, research work may be combined with teaching duties. Some clinical engineers are self-employed and work on a consultancy basis.

In the NHS clinical engineers can be promoted to consultant-level grades. It is possible to move from jobs in the health service to jobs with medical equipment manufacturers.

Chartered engineers may progress into senior general management and be responsible for a team of incorporated engineers and technicians.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries in the private sector are between £21,000 and £24,000.
Experienced engineers can earn between £25,000 and £37,000.
Engineers with chartered status can earn over £40,000.

Salaries for clinical engineers in the NHS are in line with national pay agreements.

Grade A: £17,371 to £21,974.
Grade B: £22,857 to £42,807.
Grade C: £41,159 to £68,537.

Further information

Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655 Fairmount House
230 Tadcaster Road
York
YO24 1ES
Tel: 01904 610821