EBME Forums Forums Management Recruitment Job advert, really?

I know this sort of topic is frequently banded about the forum (excuse the pun), however I couldn’t help but comment on this occasion. I’ve just seen the advert for the role at Walsall. What is happening in this field? "Senior" and offering a band 5. I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for that, however over and above this, there is the naive expectation for a candidate to assume the role of "senior", when it (if assuming it is of course in the true sense of the word), would attract a significant level of responsibility, etc, requiring good experience and qualifications, on a B5, not to mention de-stabilise the standardisation structure ‘system’ of roles.

Having taken a glance at the advert you refer to, I would say that (had I written it) I would have placed more emphasis on the fact that the role is one that places the tech "out in the Community", and that (what we could call) the "necessary human qualities" shall be assessed at interview.

Yes. Band 5 is probably about right, I would have thought. It's the job title itself that could be improved upon (that is, to more accurately reflect the actual task to be carried out).

Brains

Wouldnt get out of bed for a band 5? alright for some eh ^^

A band 5 is normally called that so im not sure this needed a new thread about it.

Band 4 Entry Level Medical Engineer
Band 5 Senior Medical Engineer
Band 6 Specalist Medical Engineer
blah blab blah

I agree a 'Senior' position should be Band 6 at least, as mine is. Also, a 'Senior' position shouldn't come directly after 'Entry Level Engineer' surely?

It Should go more like this

Band 4 Entry Level (Trainee) Medical Engineer
Band 5 Medical Engineer (Experienced)
Band 6 Senior Medical Engineer
Band 7 Specialist Medical Engineer

1) Apprentice Technician (or Trainee)
2) Junior Technician
3) Technician
4) Senior Technician
5) Chief Technician
6) Master Technician

Although some Senior Technicians may be specialists, most Senior Technicians would also supervise others in the hierarchy. They could also lead a small biomed department (of up to four techs, or so). Whilst all Chief and Master Technicians would be in leadership positions. Ideally on a one to three or four basis.

... where do you fit in?

I hope those numbers aren't pay-bands Geoff

The problem is that we have all been guilty of trying to make work instructions and tick sheet to harmonise practices but now we can get band 3 or 4 staff just to follow these instructions and report any failures to the 'real engineer' this obviously means cheaper labour doing the majority of PM work, we only have ourselves to blame!
See you all tomorrow at the Philips bash

Best speak for yourself, Eddie.

Dare I say Agenda for Chance clearly defined what was expected of people and what the pay band would be. There were template JDs for all grades of our kind of work.
Now if people are not following AfC.........
Robert

In my experience Agenda for change did nothing to standardise pay across similar jobs. You can be doing a job in one place then move to an identical job across the country and be on a lower pay band.

Was there (or is there, or indeed should there be) ever anything to prevent individual Trusts "doing their own thing"?

The whole thing was clearly a farce from start to finish (not to mention waste of time, money, and all the rest).

And if you are a Foundation Trust are you not exempt from AfC and are not all Trust supposed to be heading for Foundation status?
Ho Hum
Robert

Well there you have it Specialist Technician Band 6 (Croydon advert), Senior must be a band 5 then? But then again they are only looking for a Technician not an Engineer! Begs the question "what's in a name"? Perhaps we should make up our own titles, a pack of biscuits for the best suggestion

How about "Medical Equipment Repairman"?

Oh, sorry ... I mean person.

No not all Trusts are supposed to be heading for Foundation status as they could never meet the financial requirements. Some are going to have to go down the social enterprise route or get taken over by another foundation Trust.

As for your first question yes in theory, but no in practice as the Trust would have to use fire and redeploy and as the redeploy date is in the hands of the employee, the whole Trust can take a fortnight holiday first.

"Social enterprise route"? What's that ... the latest Big Idea?

Afraid so Geoff, they basically privatise themselves but not with the idea to make a profit but to benefit society. To make matters worse it's promoted by Jamie Oliver.