"Discover the technology, electronics and engineering that keep healthcare working safely – CLINICAL ENGINEERING
This is intended for students interested in technology, electronics, engineering or how things work.
This work-experience placement gives you the opportunity to step behind the scenes of the NHS and discover how Clinical Engineers as Healthcare Scientists use technology to keep patients safe through clinical governance of medical devices.
This placement is particularly valuable if you are interested in:
Electronics and electrical medical engineering
Mechanical or technical medical engineering
Technology and problem-solving
3D printing
Healthcare technology
Healthcare Science
Understanding how things work
Practical hands-on work
Fault-finding and analytical thinking
Important: This is not a Biomedical Engineering placement. You will not be studying blood, cells, tissues or laboratory science. Clinical Engineering is a technical and engineering-based profession involving electronics, electrical safety, medical equipment, fault-finding, maintenance, technology, governance of medical devices, and problem-solving.
What will you discover?
During your placement, you will see how clinical engineers as healthcare scientists work with medical technology throughout its entire life: from the moment equipment is purchased, through servicing and repair, to its eventual replacement – this is medical device lifecycle management.
You may have the opportunity to observe and, where appropriate, participate in supervised activities such as:
1. How Medical Equipment Works
Get hands-on insight into the technology used in hospitals, including equipment such as:
Infusion pumps
Patient monitors
Suction equipment
Other electronic and electrical medical devices
You will explore what the medical equipment does, how it works and why keeping it safe is so important to patients.
2. Electronics, Testing & Electrical Safety
Discover the engineering behind medical equipment and learn how engineers check that devices are electrically and functionally safe.
Under supervision, you may observe or assist with:
Electrical and functional safety testing
Using specialist test equipment
Checking cables, plugs and equipment condition
Understanding basic electronic and electrical principles
Learning how safety standards such as IEC 60601 and IEC 62353 help protect patients
You will also see how engineers investigate equipment that is not working correctly and use fault-finding and problem-solving skills to identify potential issues.
3. Servicing, Maintenance & Repair
Find out what happens to medical equipment when it needs servicing or develops a fault.
You may observe:
Preventive maintenance
Equipment inspections
Fault diagnosis
Repair processes
Functional and safety testing
Governance: recording completed work within NHS systems
This is an opportunity to see Clinical Engineering in action in a real healthcare environment.
4. 3D Design & Printing – LCH Only
At LCH, you may also get an introduction to 3D design and additive manufacturing.
Depending on your placement, activities could include:
Designing simple components using specialist software
Learning how a digital design becomes a physical object
Seeing FDM and resin 3D printers in operation
Understanding different materials and their properties
Learning about post-processing and legal considerations when designing items for healthcare
This is where Clinical Engineering, digital design, medical devices regs, and healthcare come together.
5. Seeing Technology in the Clinical Environment
You may have the opportunity to visit selected clinical areas with a member of the Clinical Engineering team and see how medical devices are used in real patient-care environments.
You will discover how the work carried out in the Clinical Engineering workshop directly supports doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, and ultimately patient safety.
Where will you spend your time?
Your placement will primarily take place in:
Clinical Engineering Workshop: See where medical equipment is inspected, tested, maintained and repaired.
Clinical Engineering Office: Learn how Clinical Engineers and Clinical Scientists manage medical technology, equipment records, safety requirements and compliance.
There may also be supervised visits to appropriate clinical areas.
Access to certain areas and equipment will be restricted for safety and safeguarding reasons.
You will also see how important communication, teamwork, attention to detail and responsibility are when working with equipment that can directly affect patient safety.
A different side of healthcare
Healthcare isn't only about doctors and nurses.
Behind every hospital is a huge amount of medical technology, and behind that technology are people who make sure it works safely. Clinical Engineering is where engineering meets healthcare.
If you enjoy taking things apart, understanding how things work, solving problems, working with electronics or technology, designing things, or simply asking ""how does that work?"", this could be the healthcare career you didn't know existed.
Safety & Supervision
Your safety is our priority. All activities will be appropriately supervised.
Potential hazards include:
Risk Control Measures
Electrical hazards from medical devices Supervised work only; EST and safety checks before use
Sharp tools and small components Training and supervision; use of appropriate PPE
Exposure to clinical areas Student accompanied by staff; adherence to infection control protocols
3D printing fumes/resin handling Ventilated area: gloves and eye protection provided if required
PPE
Where required, appropriate PPE will be provided, including:
- Safety glasses
- Protective gloves
- Other appropriate PPE for specific activities
Students will not enter high-risk clinical areas, such as theatres or intensive care, without appropriate authorisation and supervision.
Age Restrictions
Students under 18 will not undertake unsupervised work on mains-powered equipment or handle live patient equipment within clinical settings.
All practical activities will be appropriate to the student's age, experience and level of training.
Could Clinical Engineering be for you?
If you are looking for a work-experience placement that goes beyond the usual healthcare careers and lets you discover the technology, electronics and engineering behind modern medicine, come and explore Clinical Engineering.
You might discover a career you never knew existed.
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