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I am disappointed that they did not select you. The complication with a lot of recruitment for public servant type jobs is that they are required by law to advertise each post (to be seen to be fair) when in fact they have someone already in line for the position. This of course wastes every ones time but gives the impression that they are considering all candidates and will pick the best (in theory). I am in my 60s and started work back in the 60s and have much experience of what farce recruitment is. For example, I remember working for a large then global company and had my heart set on a job as a Special Faults Investigation Officer this was the pinnacle of diagnostic engineering and low and behold an advertisement appeared on the Company’s notice boards, I fulfilled the qualifications and eagerly sent in my application. The interview came and I faced 3 stern looking white shirts and suits and all went reasonably well but I did not get the post due to insufficient experience in a particular aspect which they cited time and time again in their written interview report. Some while later I was asked off the record why I had even bothered to apply since the successful applicant had previously held the post leaving it to move to another part of the country, but his wife could not settle there and as he was a golfing friend of the appointing executive engineer it was no surprise to the locals (in the know) that he got his old job back. However 2 years later he got promoted and the same executive engineer sought me out and asked me if I wanted the job (I had gained no more experience in the aspect they cited in the rejection report). I duly was appointed and carried out the job for many enjoyable years, I don’t know what the other candidates were told when I was appointed but I guess many were not happy. So what I’m trying to say is that like most things in life it’s all a bit of a lottery and whatever reason they give you for rejection , do not take it too seriously, just play the odds and apply for another job – you will succeed I’m sure.

It's who you know what not what you know....

In the UK these days, especially within the box-ticking culture of the Private Sector, it also helps if you come from certain "groups", if you see what I'm saying. Factors such as these are more obvious in certain parts of the country, and especially so in the large cities, but in general it's the case wherever you go.

Folk that can get a tick in all the boxes go straight to the top of list, regardless of real capability.

And (of course) if you're sixty years old or beyond ... forget it!

Regarding NHS biomed shops in particular (and as I have mentioned before):- some are effectively closed shops. So yes, in those especially, not only is it a question of "who you know", it's also a case of needing to be "one of *us"!

* Or, more accurately, "one of them"!

What's the point of proving you can wire up a 13A mains plug correctly if you're "not allowed" to do it once in post?

Lately I have been challenged on the "legality" of us biomed techs fitting plugs (to replace damaged ones, for example). I have also come across many adaptors (Euro-plug to 13A UK type plug) - on beds, for example - and when enquiring why proper British plugs had not been fitted, was told that "we're not allowed to change (fit) them" etc., etc. And even (yes, you've guessed it) that it would be construed as "modifying the kit" (words fail me)!

As an Old School Biomed, I don't like the modern trend towards the moulded mains plug. That sort of thing may be OK with domestic electrical equipment on sale on the High Street (or the internet) ... supposedly to discourage Little Old Ladies* from fiddling about with the mains plug ... but surely trained and experienced technicians should be trusted with sorting them out when need be!

My take on stuff like this is along the lines of:- if we (the biomeds) aren't the custodians of electrical safety in the hospital(s), then who is?

OK then guys, let's have it Chapter and Verse ... are we "allowed" to change (fit new if necessary) mains power plugs, or not? But, before you answer, remember that Nanny Knows Best!

* Who, coming from that generation, would probably be more than able to fit a mains plug (unlike many of the more recent additions to the dumbed-down population)!

The biomedical manager/director/department whatever, is responsible for all the medical equipment under their control and therefore the decision to change a mains plug to a 'hospital grade' plug should be made by the biomedical 'whatever title you want to use' at the end of the day if the plug fails where will the blame be aimed at?

Sorry Neil, but I was relating to conditions pertaining in the UK ... where you cannot be sure that common sense shall apply.

Unfortunately (and unlike the sort of thing that you and I are - or in my own case was - used to) you cannot assume that biomeds in UK government hospitals are responsible for everything in the way you suggest. In fact they almost certainly won't be. And don't forget also that they are almost always outnumbered by Jobsworths complaining about this and that (and sometimes even stopping the work).

In some places they seem to be relaxed about having a bit of "essential" kit down until the "correct" IEC mains cable arrives (and/or the manufacturer's service engineer arrives from far afield to "install" it). Mind you, with the amount of kit scattered around the typical hospital these days, perhaps that doesn't matter so much!

I wrote the medical equipment management plan, I write the policy and procedure for the medical equipment and I will take responsibility if it goes wrong. Never a jobsworth here.

You don't know how lucky you are, Neil.

Meanwhile, I note that I've yet to hear a local response to yesterday's "can we change mains plugs" question. But (as ever) I live in hope!

If the fuse blows do they go to the OEM and get a "genuine part" or get one from the drawer?
I do not kow what is wrong with "modifying" equipment. You are only doing wrong under CE regulations if you try to sell it outside of your organisation.
RoJo