Philip Nugent is a Medical Devices Senior Training Lead and joined the trust in 2021. The Medical Devices training team is a sub section of Medical Engineering. We asked Philip to explain his role, starting with his typical day.
“I don’t think I really have a typical day! Responding to medical devices training needs means I could be filming instructional videos, facilitating study days with manufacturers or attending wards/departments to provide face to face training, since I am new to the Trust this has been a great way of getting to know everyone.
I am an Operating Department Practitioner by trade and I was working primarily in anaesthetics in Scotland. I joined the vaccination programme and was working in Newcastle and Hexham. As my contract was coming to an end I applied for the newly created role within the Medical Devices Training Team.
Not long after I qualified as an ODP I undertook the Mentorship course and really enjoyed supporting the newly qualified staff along with student ODPs and student Nurses. So I really enjoy providing training on all the new equipment we have to roll out and working together with my colleague Richard Tuck on the new digital Learning Management System which makes use of e-learning. Creating our own e-learning content and having an in house training team is going to make life much easier for everyone.”
Is there a particular piece of work you’re most proud of, or a project that you’d like people to know about?
“Quite soon after I started in my new post there was a need to set up a Respiratory Support Unit due to the increase in Covid cases. This required the rapid deployment of new equipment. What followed was a truly remarkable feat of teamwork involving clinical specialists from the manufacturers, ward managers and Medical Device Educators who despite the pressures on their departments, turned out in force to attend training and ensure a safe environment for their patients.”
How big is your team and how do you all fit in to the day-to-day running of the trust?
It could be argued that the team numbers over a hundred! As the above example illustrates, the role of the Medical Devices Educator, cascading training to their colleagues, is absolutely essential.
Is there anything you want readers to know that they might not necessarily know about your role?
“Absolutely, this is a new role and I am still getting out there and meeting people, but we are here for all your medical devices training needs. Your home for all your Medical Device training is up and running, you can access it from the Staff Zone intranet page but also from your phones/tablets. And very importantly, I can come to your ward/department to provide training at a time that suits you. The role of the Medical Device Educator is incredibly important so please get in touch if you would like to get involved.”