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Critical care technologist

Alternative titles for this job include CCT, intensive care unit technician

Critical care technologists (CCTs) make sure equipment used in the care of critically ill patients is safe and effective.

Average salary (a year)

£30,401 Starter

to

£43,772 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become a critical care technologist

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course

University

You can apply for a training place on the 3-year NHS Healthcare Scientist Training Programme (STP). This is a combination of university and work-based training.

To apply, you'll need an upper second class honours degree or above in a subject related to the specialist area you want to work in. Examples of acceptable subjects are physiology, pure or applied physics, engineering, biology or human biology, or sports science.

If you have a lower second class honours degree or better in any subject, along with a master's degree that is relevant to the specialism for which you are applying, you can also be considered.

You'll also need to find a trainee healthcare scientist job through the STP.

For all candidates, it will be useful if you have some research experience.

It could help you if you have some experience of working in a relevant environment before applying for a place on a course. Check with the course provider to see what sort of experience is preferred.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More information

Volunteering and experience

Competition for places on the Scientist Training Programme is high, so it helps if you have relevant experience. Try and do some voluntary work in a hospital, and get experience of patient contact, as this role involves communicating with patients.

More information

Career tips

You'll be employed by an NHS organisation and paid a salary while you train.

Further information

You'll find more details about training and working in critical care science and technology from Health Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

  • setting up equipment, connecting it to patients and monitoring the machinery
  • carrying out maintenance checks and cleaning of intensive care equipment and bedside technical support
  • decontaminating machinery
  • advising and training medical staff on the use of equipment
  • negotiating with medical sales representatives
  • routine administration tasks
  • managing the on-call rotas and work of other staff
  • researching, developing, assessing and introducing new treatments and technologies

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to lead CCT.

You could move into a specialist field of critical care like liver and transplant work, cardiology, neurophysiology, burns, premature baby units and respiratory physiology.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a critical care technologist right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to Health Science Level 3 Diploma (PT)

  • Provider: Burton and South Derbyshire College
  • Start date: 01 August 2020
  • Location: Burton on Trent

NOCN Certificate in Progression to Further Studies in Health Science L2 - Pre Access to Health Science

  • Provider: Bishop Auckland College
  • Start date: 07 September 2020
  • Location: Bishop Auckland
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