When it comes to attracting (what you may consider to be) the right sort of people, two more approaches (or business models) come to mind.

These are workers co-operatives, and offering equity in the company.

I have never come across a co-operative of biomeds myself (else I would have probably joined it), but I did once work for a bloke who granted an increased share in the company year on year. Foolishly perhaps I didn't stick around long enough to see any benefit from that, but that (as they say) is another story.

In more recent years, guys I have worked for felt unable to even let me buy into the company, let alone grant a share as part of the "package". I understood their reasons (think ego) but still believe that it actually showed an element of short-sightedness on their behalf. That's just my take on things.

But if I started my own biomed venture now (which, I might add, is extremely unlikely), I would set it up as a co-operative of like-minded techs. You know, the B-Team ... the Band of Brothers. Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno, and all that good stuff.

I believe that approaches like that not only demonstrate total trust, and also move away from the employer-employee relationship, but gives extra incentive to the (shall we say) veteran (experienced, older) guy.

... OK Rob, you've got some feedback. When shall we be hearing from you again?

Hi all, thanks for your comments. I was unaware that I was competing against a salary of around 34k? The post I currently have available is for a tech/eng to run his own EBME within a private hospital group, so no driving around the UK and at a salary of £32k plus car allowance of around 3k plus bonus. The post is as secure as probably any within the NHS at present. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I do believe that EBME departments within the NHS are prime targets for takeover from alternative 3rd part servicing organisations; particularly so after Thursday and a Conservative landslide. My company and no doubt those previously mentioned are currently gearing up for just that scenario.

Thanks once again for all of your comments....

Yes, Rob ... you'll have no difficulty at all soon ... they'll all be beating a path to your door when it becomes, shall we say, a buyers' market.

Meanwhile, those "third party" companies may (or may not be) gearing up, as you suggest. But I still reckon that collaboration, rather than out-and-out competition will become the order of the day if we are to stand a chance against the well-known "big player".

Remember "SWOT Analysis"? Well, there are strengths and weaknesses in all those little ISO gangs. But with co-operation, all the bases can be covered, straight off the bat. Think "joint ventures" (a contract bidding technique that was often used, with success, out in the Middle East, for instance).

Not so sure about the landslide, by the way. But change for sure (and badly needed too). But we'll all be the wiser in a week's time ... when the real horse trading commences, and the full extent of our dire predicament becomes clear(er).

Well mate, the Conservatives did,nt get there Landslide but has it made a difference yet recruiting wise now that " Call me Dave " and Nick are in Charge ???

Give it a bit more time, Mate.

Meanwhile, and on the other hand, it’s not at all easy to orchestratre a small team of talented people, whilst keeping everyone happily involved, included, motivated ... and all the rest.

In short, singing from the same hymn sheet.

The other thing about having a "team of all the talents" (aka, the B-Team) is that so-called Genius Guys have been known to loose interest in the more trivial aspects of the work ... ergo, there always needs to be a reliable pipe-smoker pottering about at the back of the workshop to take care of the actual work.

Have to disagree with the analysis of the NHS wages against Private on page 2.

You get EBME techs from band 4 to band 7 in exceptional circumstances. Usual band 5/6 which is 21K to 34K. Still cheaper than service contracts it has to added.

The real problem is snobbery creeping in with this VRCT Registration and TECHNOLOGIST bull. Also the need for a degree??, started with an HNC from a forces background myself.

As someone has put already it is down to personnel circumstances and job security. If you offer someone a 3 year contract at decent wages with perks you may get people to leave the NHS.

Re your 3rd paragraph.

Could,nt agree more.
In fact I remember posting on here some time back, when the Arabs asked what kind of a degree I had, I used to say what do you want ? Centigrade or Fahrenheit !! ha ha

Got slapped down too by some guy in Manchester called Richard.

Anybody heard of him lately ?? Clinical Technologist I believe !!tee hee

He didn't show up at the gathering last week, unfortunately.

Meanwhile (and if I may be forgiven for quoting from my own post):-


And as if to emphasis and reinforce what I've said there, I continue to seek good hands-on techs of suitable calibre.

Specifically, two primarily workshop based in the West of England, one in the East of England (again, workshop based) and a couple of others based in the North East and North West, in a mobile (service engineer) role.

We're talking about good all-rounders, working mainly on used equipment. That is, actually fixing kit! One or two of the positions could include an element of what we might call "sales engineer" work (and I only mention that here in case anyone is attracted to that sort of thing).

Never a dull day, and a chance to make your contribution felt in a small B-Team environment! Whether it be as a proverbial pipe-smoker, or as a (thrusting?) fertile young mind!

Having just spent five minutes or so going through this thread, I can but commend the posts made by Dave Hypson. Spot on, Mate!

Rob's original question mentioned enticing techs from the NHS and into private companies. To reiterate what I said before, perhaps Rob is looking under the wrong stone there, as it were.