I'm a British subject who has lived in Australia for the last sixteen years and now feel it is time to go home. I gained my Electronics Engineering Degree in the UK and did my 'sandwich' year at Warrington Hospital EBME dept.. I have worked in the Bio-Medical field all of this time whilst over here, for the last eight yeas at a public hospital. What is the general view of the VRCT? I think, in principle it is a good thing - the industry was crying out for something like it, Australia is still. But, having had a look at their membership criteria, grandparenting particularly, I wonder if they go too far. How would I go looking for a job if I wasn't a member? - it is voluntary afterall. I am trying to join while still over here, before December, but they don't seem to have a contingiency for me. I don't want to have to do another degree to do the job I am already good at. To be fair, I contacted them and explained my situation - they suggested I get two very senior Clinical Technologists to vouch for me, but there are no guarantees...

Nice to see you making a post after all these years, Mark.

I wouldn't worry too much about VRCT. After all (and as you have already observed) the "V" stands for voluntary. You can always get yourself on the list if and when you have to become registered. Being able to demonstrate eligibility is what matters at present, as far as I can tell.

But - more importantly - I would strongly advise you to stay Down Under, Mate. I can't imagine why anyone would want to come back to the UK if they were already settled elsewhere. I certainly wouldn't.

Thank's Geoff for your reply.

We've enjoyed our stay here in Oz, but the draw to go back home just gets stronger by the day. There are so many good things about the UK that we miss - most small, which add up -far too many to list.

Anyway, I worry about this 'grandfather' business. They seem determined that in a very short period all CT's should have the degree they are pushing. My question was more to the future 'requirement' for membership to be able to get a job. What is the oppinion of employers/hospitals?

Indeed. Like constantly forking out for other people's "lifestyle choices"!

But regarding VRCT - may I refer you to the (many) earlier threads on that topic.

Mark,
From a different prespective. You mention Warrington. Im just down the road in Liverpool (LHCH is on the old Broadgreen DGH site).
The senior staff at quite a few EBME in the area that where there 15 years ago havent changed that much.
Maybe you could pm them and see if they could assist you.

Well done for bringing this issue up Mark. Your situation is one of many that highlight the flaws in the whole VRCT setup. We have been telling them for years that if we are to develop a proper Biomed profession it has to encompass engineers/ technicians from all areas of medical equipment maintenance not just NHS Medical Physics Technicians (oh, and Renal techs as well).
A few job vacancies do ask for VRCT (sometimes CT without the VR!) but I'm sure if the right candidate turns up at interview they'd be insane not to take them on.
At present, membership of the VRCT does not guarantee a "good" tech, there were no measures in place to assess the competency of a candidate other that the fact that the registrant has been in post for more than three years!

Karl's suggestion is the best. Mark needs to quit worrying about VRCT and get in touch with a few folk here in the UK. This forum is as good a place to start as any.

Thank's heaps yuse blokes (with a poor Aussie accent),

I have been in touch with my old collegues, there isn't much they can do wrt the VRCT. I wanted to get an insight into what the industry thinks about the membership criteria - I am a firm beleiver that the professional concept is vital, as long as there is a realistic and proper structure - I could go on for hours...

I've also been watching the job situation, via this site and the NHS Jobs one, and remain pretty confident about getting a job. The only worry was the VRCT. They seem to me (I have read all of the threads I could find on the subject)to be, at best, nieve about what it is we actually do and have no concept of the 'hands on' approach which is required to enstill confidence in the clinical staff...

I shall go through the motions of applying but not worry too much.

Does it have to be the NHS? Don't forget there is a Dark Side (medical engineering companies operating in the private sector) as well.

Not at all.

I worked for private companies before my current AHS (Area Health Service) job, Alaris and GE Medical were two of them. I enjoyed working out and about for GE - numerous private hospitals all over the place...

Might as well start putting feelers out now, I suppose.

Sounds like you shouldn't have any problems, Mark.

Good luck.

Mark, people are trying to send you PMs but they are bouncing. Please check your email address is correct in your profile.

Mark, will you be based in London? Many NHS Hospitals have private contractors for EBME, and getting experienced engineers has been a real issue for the contractors. Best of Luck.

Hari, do you think that has something to do with the cost of living in London, especially the housing costs

Partly that, Neil. But could it also be because some of those companies (let's say) are always looking for cheap (and dare I say compliant*) labour? It seems that everyone is looking for that same elusive gang of techs:- fully qualified, all the manufacturers' courses under their belts (and within the last five years, max), each a specialist in something or other (or better still, in everything), "ready to hit the ground running", you might say.

Many private companies don't really want truly experienced people on their staff. Why? Well it's obvious when you thing about it. They simply don't want anyone who could be seen as a "threat" to them (the management). Sorry if all this sounds a bit negative:- it's not meant to be. Just passing on the reality of my own experiences and that of others of similar vintage, that's all.

Also (and I speak as someone with recent experience), finding accommodation in town (that is, London) is not always easy anyway. Not unless you enjoy living in the Third World, that is (and I have, and don't really mind that much, before someone starts bitching). But some of those hospitals are not, shall we say, at the best addresses in town!

I have also found (and, OK, perhaps I have just been "unlucky") that even when allowing for the fact that we're talking about the NHS, the levels of "internal politics" typically found in London hospitals is way in excess of what any sane person would wish to handle. If anyone enjoys that sort of thing, then fair enough. But it has never appealed to me, that's for sure.

These days I prefer to avoid London altogether. As far as I'm concerned anywhere within the M25 circle is a foreign country. Been there, done that, been burgled, been robbed, been "let down" by the company, etc., etc. ... "enjoyed the experienced" you might say. OK, rates of pay may be a tad higher, but if you're not careful you can end up being a loser (or worse yet, a victim) big time!

* That is, young.

Neil, Cost of living is one of the reason. Also, the work load and pay doesn't match. Some companies try to run the show without sufficient man power.

Mark, I am currently looking for experienced engineers (Avensys UK Ltd) give me a call anytime. Assessing any engineer for competency? there are a variety of methods to use of course, but in the main it has to be a balance between academic qualifications, practical based technical courses (with a practical test element) and assessing the engineer within his work place (The MoD did get this bit right Geoff). As for the VRCT (love it or hate it there is a need), it covers the academic element (evidence of exams required) and asks for referees to support your application (I assume therefore confirming experience within the field) but it does fall somewhat short when it comes to practical assessments.

The Foundation degree (medical technologies) Kingston University/Falfield/Avensys, gives the academic qualification and with a top up year, your award is a full BSC Hons. And as from October 2011 it is also rolling out practical assessment in the work place, I will also point out that an application has also been made for automatic registration onto the VRCT upon completion of the top up year. Oh and all students must be in full time employment within an EBME department or equivalent.

We try to practically assess during several weekends when the students visit Falfield (4 weekends), similar to the arborfield model, but there is never really enough time hence moving to assessment within the workplace.

Just realised the time....off to the pub to drown my sorrows as the red half of Manchester delude themselves into thinking they have surpassed Liverpool as the UK's top club...how many European Cups? come on Barcelona....(ok I am bitter)...well done Fergie
:-(

Well done Rob. Proactive. Just the sort of thing we need.

@Hari: it's been that way with just about every company I've known (yes, Rob ... including "Arborfield", as I'm sure you'll agree) - not just the one you're working for.

Take my tip. Just do what you can, avoiding the stress (if you are able). Pace yourself. If "they" keep pushing (as they undoubtedly will) remind them (as gently as you can) that good techs are in short supply!

"They" are the ones stashing away the money, with the flash cars and the expense accounts that you will never have. But be sure to realise that without you, and the rest of the techs, the whole thing collapses. A good manager does whatever it takes to keep the troops happy. It's as simple as that.

Sorry - it has now been updated.

One piece of advise I would offer is that, if you have not already done so, take out Australian citizenship before you head back just in case you change your mind

That had crossed my mind Dave, I probably will. We're not quite ready to make the move just yet, we still have some commitments. Hopefully towards the end of this year or maybe early next..


Thank's everyone for your input.

Would I come back from Australia - No! Although I have been retired for over a year now, the NHS seems to be having a bad time at the moment with all the cut backs

Never mind the NHS ... what about the rest of the mess?

Throw away your passports and re-enter as an asylum seeker, and live on easy street for the rest of your life.

Sounds like a good plan. But what about your self-respect?

Anyway, how come the "seekers" haven't heard that the asylums have all been closed? This is the sort of thing that happens when the lunatics get to be in charge!