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Clinical engineer

Create medical technology to help injured and disabled people enjoy better health and greater independence.

Also known as: biomedical engineer, bio-engineer

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£481

Entry level

£1,308

Experienced

Monthly

£2,083

Entry level

£5,667

Experienced

Yearly

£25,000

Entry level

£68,000

Experienced

5,500

people are currently employed

High growth

200 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You’d design the amazing technology and medical implants which help injured or disabled people enjoy better health and greater independence. You might even work on creating technology to research disease! 

You could work on the equipment used for keyhole surgery, design wheelchairs or create artificial limbs for people with disabilities. 

You’d test equipment like:

  • walking aids 

  • wheelchairs 

  • speech synthesizers 

As a clinical engineer, you can specialise in one of four areas:

  • clinical measurement 

  • medical equipment management 

  • engineering design and development 

  • rehabilitation engineering 

Clinical measurement

In clinical measurement, you’ll help to provide specialist diagnostic tests in clinical areas such as urology, ophthalmology, and cardiology.  

Some typical tasks include:

  • carrying out diagnostic tests  

  • monitoring and assessing the effects of treatment interventions 

  • reporting findings back to the patient’s care team 

  • implementing quality control procedures and and  

  • making sure all work is carried out in line with national guidelines and relevant legislation 

Medical equipment management

In medical equipment management, you’ll maintain equipment used to deliver healthcare services to make sure it is working properly and safe to use. 

Some typical tasks include:

  • calibrating and maintaining medical equipment, including scanners, imaging machines, and monitoring systems 

  • commissioning and acceptance testing of new equipment 

  • advising patients and healthcare professionals on the correct use of equipment 

Engineering design and development

Engineering design and development teams create bespoke medical devices to meet the needs of a range of clinical services. These teams have a range of expertise, which includes mechanical, electronic, and software devices. 

Some examples include: 

  • wearable electronic devices to monitor vital signs 

  • 3D printed moulds to help with patient positioning 

  • web or mobile applications that perform calculations on clinical data 

  • applications to present data to help with clinical decision making 

Some typical tasks include:

  • extensive background research to understand the clinical problem the device is trying to solve, the users of the device, and the environment in which the device will be used 

  • iterative design and development, including prototyping and evaluating different technologies and approaches to solving the clinical problem 

  • comprehensive risk management to ensure the devices produced are safe, effective and meet the legal requirements for a medical device 

Rehabilitation engineering

In rehabilitation engineering, you’ll manufacture or adapt assistive technology, including wheelchairs, artificial limbs and robotic aids to meet a person’s needs. 

Some typical tasks include:

  • designing custom seating or headrests for posture support, so a patient can sit unaided in their wheelchair 

  • assessment, specification and commissioning of specialist mobility controls for powered wheelchair users 

  • developing artificial limbs or joints to help people regain control over their movement and improve their mobility 

It'd be very important to keep up to date with scientific, engineering and medical research.

Hours

You would usually work around 37.5 hours a week. Your working hours would normally be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. In the NHS, you may have to work evenings or weekends as part of an on-call rota, depending on your role. Part-time work is also possible.

Environment

If you work in a hospital, your time would be split between a clinic and an engineering workshop. In research or industry, you would be usually be based in a laboratory.

Travel

You may visit patients in their homes or meet them in a clinic. You’ll also be creating or modifying devices in a workshop environment. You may also to travel for conferences and meetings. If you work in research or industry, you'll need to travel to introduce new equipment to hospitals.

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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • developing a plan
  • social conscience
  • working with numbers
  • problem solving
  • designing
  • creative
  • written communication
  • working with technology
  • verbal communication
  • cooperating

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

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Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Automotive

  • Design and Technology

  • Engineering Science

  • Human Biology

  • Physics

  • Skills for Work: Engineering Skills

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills)

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

You’ll need an undergraduate honours degree (SCQF level 10) in one of the follow subjects: 

  • Electronic Engineering 

  • Engineering Systems 

  • Manufacturing Engineering 

  • Mechanical Engineering 

  • Software Engineering 

For entry to a degree (SCQF level 10) you need National 5 qualifications and four to five Highers. Some universities ask for qualifications to be gained in one sitting. 

You can also enter a degree with a relevant Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8). With Advanced Highers, HNC or HND qualification you may enter the second or third year of some degree courses. 

If you have a degree in a suitable engineering, healthcare or life sciences subject, you could take a specialist postgraduate course in bioengineering (SCQF level 11).

Your degree should be accredited by an engineering institute, such as the Institution of Engineering and Technologies (IET) or the Engineering Council.

Some universities offer an integrated masters (SCQF level 11) combining a degree and masters courses. Entry is the same as for a degree.

Clinical engineers working in the NHS must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

As a clinical scientist in clinical engineering, you’re expected to undertake continuous professional development activities. These help you: 

  • keep your knowledge and skills up to date 

  • maintain your registration with the HCPC 

Qualifications and experience that demonstrates an understanding of engineering and health. This could be gained through:

  • Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 4/5)

  • Foundation Apprenticeship Engineering (SCQF level 6)

  • Skills for Work Laboratory Science (SCQF level 5)

  • Foundation Apprenticeship Scientific Technologies (laboratory skills) (SCQF level 6)

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