Having looked at the new Medical Device Management document DB2006(5) the section on training gives me some cause for concern.
the section reads as follows "
5.4 Training for repair and maintenance service providers
Individuals providing repair and maintenance services need to be adequately trained and appropriately qualified. This applies to directly employed staff, contracted services or others. For simple mechanical devices a qualification at NVQ level 2 may be appropriate. For more complex devices a qualification at NVQ level 3 or above may be required. The level of qualifications and training required for each individual should be stipulated in all service contracts provided by external contractors or in house services."
Looking at the profiles for an entry level Medical Engineering Technician - band 4 the KTS factor 2 requires "Professional electronics knowledge acquired through BTEC/ONC +
short courses, & regular updating"
It is somewhat disheartening that our guiding body - namely MHRA - sets our standards so low.
Get your gradings agreed now before AfC pick it up and downgrade everybody - degree or equivalent - who do we think we are ??
I only wish I had read that before going to the MHRA MDLO conference yesterday - might have livened it up a bit !!
