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Medical Technical Officer
The work
Medical technical officers, sometimes referred to as clinical or medical technologists, work alongside doctors, nursing staff and other healthcare professionals in hospitals. They use sophisticated scientific equipment, recording and interpreting readings to aid clinical staff in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Some MTOs may be involved in maintaining the equipment they use.
The role of the medical technical officer will vary depending on the area they specialise in, which can include audiology, cardiology, neurophysiology, respiratory physiology, gastroenterology, perfusion, and renal dialysis.
Also see the profiles on operating department practitioner, engineer: clinical and medical physicist.
Hours and Environment
Medical technical officers work 37.5 hours a week which may involve shift work and on-call duties. Part-time work may be available.
The work could be in a workshop, clinic, the wards, in intensive care units or in operating theatres, depending on the area of specialism. Occasionally there may be home visits to patients. Specialist equipment and computers are routinely used. Clean and sometimes sterile working conditions can be a requirement, so protective clothing may be necessary. The work can involve sitting or standing for long periods, and some lifting of heavy equipment. Patient contact is likely.
Skills and Interests
To be a medical technical officer, you should have:
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an ability and interest in physical sciences, biology, engineering and electronics
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an interest in medicine and the desire to contribute to patient care and treatment
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a mature approach to work with the ability to cope with responsibility
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the ability to concentrate for long periods of time, with attention to accuracy and detail
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the ability to work alongside a team of other professionals
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the ability to reassure nervous patients.
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Entry
Presently, there are no minimum entry requirements for trainee medical technical officer positions, although the profession will be moving to graduate entry and state registration. Employers expect applicants to have at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English, maths and two sciences, or equivalent qualifications.
Most enter with higher qualifications, such as A levels/H grades or a degree in a relevant engineering or life science subject. Entry requirements for a degree are five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three H grades. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted.
For details of qualification equivalents see:
An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. If experienced in a related field, you may be able to gain recognition of skills through Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
You must be at least 18 to train as a medical technical officer.
Training
Trainee medical technical officers are usually trained on the job; some candidates combine this with part-time attendance at college, studying towards the achievement of a relevant qualification. These include a BTEC National Certificate in Science, in which you can study medical physics and physiological measurement, and an NVQ/SVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, which also includes a unit in physiological measurement.
At some colleges it is possible to continue studying part-time for a BTEC HNC in Science, a foundation degree, for example in medical technology, or a relevant BSc degree.
Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland
Opportunities
Most medical technical officers work in the NHS, but there are opportunities in private hospitals. With sufficient experience, medical technical officers can apply for senior posts where they are responsible for running a clinic and reporting to consultants on the patients they see. Most senior officers would also have a teaching role in the hospital.
Some medical technical officers take degrees and may become clinical scientists.
There are some opportunities for those specialising in electronics and engineering to work for manufacturers of medical equipment or firms specialising in servicing and repair.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only. Salaries can vary from one health trust or hospital to another. The following rates apply to MTOs working in the NHS.
Trainee or assistant technicians start at between £10,250 and £12,300 a year.
The salary for qualified staff ranges from £13,300 (MTO 1) to £40,000 (MTO 5). For example, with around two years'' experience, technicians can earn between £16,100 to £23,000 a year (MTO 2).
More experienced and well-qualified technicians can earn between £21,200 and £32,500, depending on grade.
There are additional payments for overtime and on-call duty, and an additional London allowance is paid. Salaries in the private sector may be linked to NHS scales but could be higher.
Further information
NHS Learning and Development Service
Tel: 08000 150 850
Email: learning@nhscareers.nhs.uk
NHS Careers
PO Box 376
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Electrophysiological Technologists' Association
www.epta.50megs.com
Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology
www.artp.org.uk
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning advisor at the learndirect advice line, call 0800 100 900 or email: enquiries@learndirect.net
Alternatively, you can visit website at: learndirect-advice.co.uk
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