Biomedical Engineer

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Public Health Division (PHD) supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island communities by providing assistance in public health surveillance, and in the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, help communities prevent disease and restore and/or maintain health, and reduce inequalities in health. PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than providing individual treatment services. PHD is comprised of three programmes: Surveillance, Preparedness and Response (SPR), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Prevention and Control; and Clinical Services (CS).

The role – the Biomedical Engineer will lead and provide technical assistance in biomedical services to support patient diagnosis and treatment by installing, testing, calibrating and repairing biomedical equipment; training users; maintaining safe operations, and making recommendations on possible additional equipment.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Strengthen Capacity Building and Training

• Develop training plans for each biomedical team staff member tailored to individual needs
• Provide on-the-job training and mentoring to meet identified training needs and record training provided (including competencies achieved).
• Provide demonstrations to users (healthcare staff) in use and care of equipment and answer questions where possible, or seek external assistance e.g. supplier, SPC.
• Promote awareness and interest in the field of biomedical engineer career through attending Tuvalu career fair and seek teaching opportunity at the two high schools (Funafuti and Vaitupu) and one middle school in Tuvalu or other opportunities.

Improve Biomedical Quality and Standards

• Develop, maintain, and upgrade the medical equipment asset registry from excel to a simple database at the national level for each specific hospital.
• Make recommendations about test equipment resources required for the biomedical maintenance and repair team which is essential for acceptance testing and APM.
• Introduce the acceptance policy and monitor and encourage full implementation of procedures for accepting, installing and recording to ensure equipment meets safety standards and clinical requirements.
• Develop and implement a medical equipment Management Plan to manage all the equipment at the possession of the MOH Tuvalu.
• Develop additional Policies that may be required, such as decommissioning of medical equipment at end of life.

Strengthened staffing and budgeting in work unit

• Develop and implement a medical equipment replacement plan policy for Tuvalu and to assist in the budget proposal.
• Follow up the TOR for Medical Equipment Committee that has been developed to be endorsed by management level and ensure that this meeting is held once every quarter.
• Make recommendations about any proposed procurements and assist the Ministry towards achieving sound financial management of its medical assets and progressing towards developing a Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) budget each financial year for the replacement of old and required new equipment.
• Encourage the recruitment of new biomedical engineering technician and assist in identifying and selecting candidates.

Data and Evidence

• Develop methods to extract and analyse data from the asset register to show progress such as: timeliness and completeness of APM, time taken to inspect and resolve equipment faults and understand frequent faults and feedback to training where relevant.
• Extract data from the staff training and competencies database to show progress and enable the planning of future training.

Programme Planning and Management

• Facilitate annual workplan and budget in biomedical services delivery
• Prepare and submit monthly biomedical reports to Tuvalu MOH and SPC, including trip reports and workshop report
• Perform any other tasks as required by in country supervisor and SPC.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Degree in Biomedical Engineering or health related discipline

Technical expertise

• At least 8 years of work experience in biomedical services in the Pacific.
• Significant experience in managing and/or leading biomedical services and knowledge of health systems strengthening.
• Significant experience in procurement and donation policies
• Demonstrated extensive work experience in biomedical services planning and development, policies and programming.
• Demonstrated ability to implement a sector-wide response to biomedical services issues
• Willingness to travel and conduct biomedical services to outer islands

Language skills

• Advanced written and oral communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Understanding of Pacific cultures is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 6 months and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Biomedical Engineer is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,331–4,091 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately AUD 6,662–8,182. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in Tuvalu.

Benefits for international staff employees based in Tuvalu – SPC provides a housing allowance of AUD 1,400– 2,000. Relocation airfares, excess luggage, health and life and disability insurances are available for employees. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum, and other types of leave, prorated on contract length, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8 % of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.