Clinical Diagnostic Field Service Engineer-Birmingham

Description

General Position Summary

Responsible for troubleshooting and repairing automated instruments and systems used in the practice of histology, cytology and hematology. Domestic and international travel for field service and some installations approximately 75% of the time. Conducts testing, evaluation, inspection, and training on Company products.

Essential Job Functions

Technical Repair Activities

• Repairs company medical instruments to manufacturer's specifications. Before repair, decontaminates and cleans biohazards from medical instruments. Performs electrical safety tests on instruments.
• Provides technical advice to Field Service Technicians, BMET's and Customer/Product Support Department to troubleshoot and repair instruments. The technical advice is related to electronic, electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, chemical, refrigeration and fluid hydraulics areas. This "Help Desk" guidance may be by phone, fax, computer, in writing or in person.
• Travels and performs field service repairs on company instruments to minimize customer downtime.
• Evaluates repair procedures and service manuals for future revisions.
• Performs quality inspection of medical instruments.

Training Activities

• Performs Training of Field Service Technicians, IRVs (Independent Repair Vendors), BMETs, SFA/SFE Service Technicians and Engineers and other personnel as assigned by management, on how to: install, decontaminate, repair and test company instruments. Training may be at off-site locations.
• Participates in the development and revising of Instrumentation Service Manuals

Information Management & Reporting Activities

• Documents service reports and technical advice to comply with FDA requirements.
• Composes Service Bulletins for distribution to IRV’s, Distributors and other entities.
• Coordinates product improvement and failures to Manufacturing and Product Development Departments.
• Conducts analysis of service failures from the field and compiles comprehensive reports.
• Plans, coordinates, and prepares technical reports as required.
• Attends and participates in group meetings, task force groups, etc., as needed.

Quality/Business Systems Activities

• Ensures standards for ISO 13485 certification are met.
• Recommends measures to improve instrument quality and performance.

Other Skills

• Ensures that all Service Department areas are in a safe, orderly, clean, and functional condition.
• Suggests improvement in departmental work processes and procedures.
• Attends technical meetings and seminars when requested by Manager.
• Maintains good communications both inside and outside of the Company.
• Performs special projects and other miscellaneous duties.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in an Engineering discipline, Engineering Technology, or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Additional course work in instrument component repair and testing a plus.

Experience & Minimum Qualifications

• 3-5 years of previous work experience in the repair of electro-mechanical and electronic devices.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 75% of the time. Travel will include weekends or all 7 days. Travel notification may be less than 24 hours.
• Ability to work weekends and nights as customer requirements dictate.
• Ability to maintain good customer relationships is critical to this job. Ability to interact face-to-face with customers. Will have direct customer contact under stressful conditions.
• Ability to troubleshoot, align and repair: solenoids, valves, motors, belt drives, film pinch rollers, conveyors, catches, air pumps, vacuum and pressure pneumatic systems, heaters, circuit boards, etc.
• Ability to apply common sense to carry out instructions in written, diagram and verbal forms.
• Ability to comply with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Ability to analyze schematics. Ability to write service reports, trip reports, instructions and technical write-ups.
• Ability to effectively explain technical information and answer questions from supervisors or managers.
• Ability to use a Personal Computer and software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.
• Ability to use typical office equipment such as copiers, fax machines, calculators, etc.
• Ability to meet project deadlines and work within a budget.

Physical Requirements & Working Environment

• Ability to work safely with chemicals, electronics, mechanisms, razor cutters, biohazards, glass, hand tools and power tools.
• Ability to work safely with hazardous chemicals such as xylene, alcohol, formalin, acetone, bleach, and other chemicals.
• Ability to work safely and according to departmental procedures when working with hot or hazardous equipment or materials such as rotary valves, soldering irons, heat guns, welding torches and molten paraffin.

Physical Requirements & Working Environment (continued)

• Ability to work safely with cryobars and cold microtomes.
• Works with extremely sharp bio-hazardous microtome cutting blades.
• Ability to frequently lift and move equipment that may weigh up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work safely and proficiently in a repair shop with multimeters, clamp meters, tachometers, electrical safety testers, oscilloscopes, hand tools, drills, bench grinders, etc.
• Ability to communicate technical advice in person, by phone, by computer and in writing.
• Ability to travel to other locations both within and outside of the local region. Must have a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.