supported by Education and Training for Rehabilitation Engineers - UPDATE Simon Fielden Director, Health Design & Technology Institute 24 th January 20011

What do REs do ? People work with other practitioners to ensure the best client outcome assess client needs from a systematic engineering culture apply biomechanical principles to wheelchair and seating needs

Systems understand and apply the Medical Devices Regulations knows how to assess and manage risk of provision, development and use of AT understand and apply quality assurance in a service knows what to do if the equipments stops working/ breaks/ there is an incident What do REs do ?

Equipment when you cannot buy it they can get it made, or modified can use the pressure monitor to get reliable results AND understand the results when you can buy buts its complicated they get it working makes sure all the equipment works knows what you can buy and how good it is What do REs do ?

Levels of RE Clinical Scientist Clinical Technologist (RE) Assistant Practitioner Technician workshop Client interaction possibly an AP RE rather than an OT technician ????? Complex Routine, low risk HPC MSc Voluntary Register of Clinical Technologists BSc (for now...) FD

If you want to take on an RE You need one right now Plan for this eventuality 2 years ago! Advertise and hope to attract an RE who is on the VRCT Contract with a provider of RE services

If you want to take on an RE If you can wait,,,,,, If you are an accredited IPEM training centre, employ an engineering graduate and send them on the 18 months grad dip If not, join forces with an accredited IPEM training centre, employ a graduate and send them on the 18 month grad dip From summer 2012 take a year 4 BSc RE Student from Coventry University on a 1 year placement – try before you buy (only 7 students)

If you want to take on an RE If you can wait even longer From summer 2013 and 2014 take a year 4 BSc RE Student from Coventry University on a 1 year placement – try before you buy ( 20 students in each year) From summer 2013 – recruit a RE graduate from Coventry University

Coventry University RE Course Developments Modernising Scientific Careers Introducing some standardisation for healthcare science (51 professions!) 3 year vocational degrees – for Coventry University from possibly Still uncertainty about fast track courses for engineering graduates Expand RE role into telecare and telehealth Thinking about associate and assistant RE courses.... If we cannot recruit sufficient numbers the course will stop

Summary Services should comply with VRCT requirements to protect their organisations and their staff The Grad Dip can be used to get staff quickly to the VRCT level The BSc will provide a future pool of REs to recruit from HDTI with WMRC and WMWMF will be offering CPD/short course opportunities for REs and Therapists in the near future...to be announced at PMG NTE