I have been giving a bit of thought lately to the agency biomed scene. By this I mean the provision of temporary technical manpower, typically into hospitals to supplement the efforts of existing permanent staff in medical engineering departments.
I believe that the traditional way of going about this has some shortcomings, and consider a new approach to be in order.
For instance, on the part of the agent I would propose that they be a bit more proactive. That is, getting out there and finding what clients and prospective clients actually need (rather than just waiting for the phone to ring).
They should support their techs (rather than just sending them off to "just get on with it"). If the need for a manpower "surge" becomes apparent at the client's site, then the agency should be able to respond, just as they should be able to provide a stand-in if the tech becomes unavailable for whatever reason.
Where need be, they should help out with accommodation (helping to find it, and helping to pay). In my own experiences of agency work, accommodation has sometimes been a problem. There have even been occasions when I could not take on a booking because I simply couldn't find anywhere handy to stay!
There should be assistance and guidance regarding training (rather than just leaving it to the tech). That way, training could be targeted more towards what clients actually require. There have been cases where agents have simply let good work (with funding already available, and all the rest) slip through their fingers because they didn't have available techs meeting the client's requirements - without any effort being made to remedy the situation! Not good business, in my opinion.
Techs interested in agency work would be retained and encouraged (by the agent) by being well administered, fairly treated, appropriately paid and a realisation that they are being competently assisted in providing biomedical engineering services (that is, rather than just being a commodity in a body shop)!
The whole thing should be set up and run as a Quality Service*. In the Real World such a service commands premium rates, and this would need to be the case here as well.
I have in mind an
à la carte approach, whereby clients "tick the box" for the options they think they require (such as, and for example):-
- A specific commitment (in terms of length of booking
etc.)
- The tech supplies own tools (or whatever)
- The tech needs own transport, drivers’ licence
etc.- The tech needs specific skills
- The tech needs to have had specific training
- The tech needs to be VRCT registered
- The tech needs a recent CRB check ...
etc.- A requirement for "out of hours" working
- Only so many hours (days) per week ... and so on
Each such special requirement would impact on the hourly rate to be negotiated!
I’m making this post on here now in the hope of gaining some feedback – from techs interested in agency-type work, and biomed departments in need of temporary manpower. Later on, once ideas have been developed further, I shall most likely approach a couple of "well known" agents for their reaction. And then ... I may even have a go myself!
I have in mind a "biomed service, run by biomeds". Anyone care to join me?
See also
this earlier thread.
*
A Quality Service is one that conforms totally to customer requirements. 
