EBME Forums Forums Management Professional Issues Agenda For Change MTO Gradings?

Hi All,
could someone sort me out on my perceptions of the MTO grading system. Is it fair to say;
MTO 1- generally not used
MTO 2- trainee
MTO 3- Technally competent worker
MTO 4- Speacilist work
MTO 5-supervisor/manager

Is there an actual definition for the grades somewhere?
thanks
Kerry

No, this is one of the things the agenda for change is supposed to clear up. I've known some MTO2 grades being used for Technally competent workers (as you put it). It depends on how little the manager can take someone on for in most cases. The other end of the spectrum is Technally competent workers as MTO4s & 5s, usually because of recruitment problems in higher wage areas like inner London.

Adrian.

Thanks Adrian, anybody else care to comment- I'm trying to adust my managements perceptions that the gradings are "the rule" rather than the acception. (or the other way around)

Kerry. I agree with your list of grade allocations - although I've got into hot water in the past when I criticised a job advert on this site for offering an MTO2 grade for an experienced technician, so I'd better be careful !

A colleague of mine used the structure in the other EBME departments in our region as a justification for getting himself and his department upgraded (he was running the place for an MTO4 grade) and I know of one hospital who did a major re-think when they were re-structuring their EBME and intended to advertise the managers job as an MTO4.

The MTO4 grade can be used for the deputy manager (or Team Leader !) as well as the specialist Technicians.

Good luck.

Kerry,
I would say that this is true for inner London but possibly not for the whole country. But with "proper" London weighting the grades should become universal. Anyway is this all a bit accademic with AfC coming in on Friday.
Robert

ye olde worldie management with oldie wordlie ideas

This is my experience of the different levels of MTO scales.

MTO1 was known as the 'second part' of the training scheme. All work performed under this grade had to supervised and countersigned by a competent technician. The MTO1 grade fell away with the demise of the in house training schemes within Medical Physics.

MT02's work under supervision. i.e. Another competent technician should be on hand for advice. Until the MTO is seen to have reached a competent level (Assessed by the section head) all work performed is checked and then countersigned by a competent technician. Once enough experience has been gained their work would be subject to spot checks rather than every job checked and signed off.

MT03 should a competent technician who can perform his or her own work unsupervised. They may also supervise other technicians.

MT04 as MTO3 except have additional responsibilities and in general are accountable for the running a section

MTO5 the buck stops here.

Papajo,
I presume you do not include the USA in the real world.
They realy understand sarcasm, irony or the like.
(I was being sarcastic so as to confuse any from across the pond who might be reading this. )
Robert

Does it say the real world... perhaps I should change it to say in my world people understand...

I know of plenty people that would agree.

Here's a "real" problem which is certainly going to arrise somewhere - although maybe not in EBME departments if the gradings come out as low as expected !

Consider an imaginary job - lets say an MTO2 Technician with responsibility for a full Cath Lab and all associated equipment. The Tech has been in post for 5 years and done all the manufacturers training and updates etc. The hospital decide to buy and operate a second unit (to increase income) and in order to a) cover all the equipment and b) ensure cover during holidays etc, they employ a second Tech, also on MTO2.

This New Boy has all the right qualifications but no experience and the "old" Tech has to train him.

Then along comes Agenda for Change - and good news ! The job is evaluated at Band 6 because it involves patient contact, there is a high level of independence and the equipment is highly specialised etc.

Because the bottom of Band 6 is £21,630 and the top of MTO2 is £19,684, they both transfer onto the bottom point.

Question ;- Is the "old" Tech going to be happy with his lot ?