Fit Testing Technician

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Fit Testing Technician (FTT) to join the established Fit Testing Team of 5 at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will report to the lead Nurse Fit Test and be responsible for fit testing members of staff who will be required to wear a filtering face piece (FFP) 3 as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing care to patients with respiratory infections. Previous experience in the process of fit testing would be beneficial, however it’s not essential as comprehensive training will be given. FTT are responsible for maintaining the specialised fit testing equipment they use, to carry out fit testing. They are provided with an electronic device to access their electronic diary, FT eForm Portal and a FT dashboard which all facilitate a completely paper free service.

• Interview date: 22 April 2025
• 37 hours 30 minutes/week
• You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy.  Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE

Main duties of the job

The postholder is:

• Responsible for maintaining high quality fit testing provision at all times using either the qualitative or quantitative fit testing methods in accordance to the Health and Safety Executive: Guidance on respiratory equipment (PRE) fit testing (HSE IND479, 219) [available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg479.htm].
• Maintain their competence within our clinical governance framework, around procedure and practice.
• Demonstrate professionalism, provide support, education and communicate key messages about fit testing to our multidisciplinary colleagues across the Trust.
• Accurately record outcomes of fit testing data directly onto the eForm Portal for automated upload to ESR/LLab. Assist the admin with electronic diary management as well as dealing with queries and accurate message taking if required.
• Other relevant duties as required by the Lead Nurse.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Face Fit Testing

Perform face fit testing (FFT) with respirator protective equipment (RPE) to all frontline colleagues within the Trust and in the community, where they maybe expected to manage patients with confirmed or suspected airborne respiratory diseases or performing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs).

This task includes:

Being clear on the fit testing process and being able to describe this to staff.

Ensuring the staff member is eligible to be fitted following an appropriate risk assessment.

Provide information and pre-testing instructions to staff attending fit testing sessions.

Ensuring that fit testing is conducted correctly and competently and as recommended by HSE

Provide fit testing to local areas within the Trust or Community where needed.

Provide expert advice to the staff member for donning, doffing and fit checking .

Maintain the fit testing equipment and electronic devices.

Ensure that fit testing is carried out in a safe and suitable environment.

Ensure that a range of suitable FFP3 are available for staff to be fit tested to.

Input accurate data on the eForm during the fit test to ensure an electronic certificate is issued to the staff.

Utilise the rolling dashboard to identify staff who have previously been fit tested, to acknowledge previous testing and understanding of the process.

Ensure you have sufficient individual stock levels of masks and consumables for your working day.

Ensure rotation of FFP3 disposable respirators to ensure we do not exceed the recommended maximum percentage use in Trust to any one particular respirator

Troubleshoot and where required, report any technical problems affecting the testing systems by liaising with IT to resolve the problem in a timely manner. Advise the Lead Nurse Fit Test if you cannot resolve an issue within a short timeframe.

Record Keeping and Reporting Responsibilities

Answer enquiries related to FT where possible and signpost colleagues if necessary to the fit test lead nurse.

Attend and participate in team meetings and contribute ideas for the improvement of the department.

Be accountable for organising and prioritising own workload to ensure timely fit testing.

To be responsible for the equipment and resources used in course of work.

Support team administration and undertake any other duties where requested.

Job Purpose

• To assist in the provision of all the technical and equipment requirements for staff Fit Testing and education. • To record fit testing and support data collection • To provide technical support for other fit testers across the organisation. • To provide regular training and updates to trust wide fit testers. • Run customised trouble shooting clinics and manage the quantitative testing machine

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month’s pay.

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.