TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Career Pathway SPOTLIGHT ON GRAHAM O’SHEA G
raham O’Shea qualified as an electrician in 2002, and it was towards the end of his apprenticeship that he became interested in healthcare engineering. “We were undertaking an installation in a new wing of a hospital that happened to be adjacent to the operating theatres, when I became interested in the medical equipment, systems, and associated technology, and knew it was something I wanted to pursue as a career,” he recalls. After serving his apprenticeship, Graham was employed as a field service engineer for a small medical company based in Dublin, but servicing hospitals nationwide. He found that having an electrical background really helped with some of the fault-finding aspects associated with the upkeep and servicing of medical device decontamination equipment. Graham soon progressed to validation, and attended the various test person courses at Eastwood Park, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He then spent 15 years field-based, gaining valuable knowledge and understanding of the different equipment types, with a particular emphasis on validation and technical support. He said: “I felt that I had gained invaluable experience on all the various equipment types; I had enjoyed moving between hospitals and dental clinics, but it was now time to pursue the next stage of my career.”
Graham joined the Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering (MPBE) at St. James’s Hospital in Dublin in the summer of 2019. He was assigned to the Sterile Services Group, which supported decontamination equipment within the hospital. He said: “We were quite unique, whereby we had an AE(D) on campus, and all decontamination equipment was validated in-house – not common practice here in Ireland.” One of his first projects was to design and implement a validation plan for the hospital’s Central Sterile Services Department, which was then expanded to cover the Endoscopy Department and the laboratory. It was quite a large project, involving steam sterilisers, laboratory sterilisers, instrument washer-disinfectors, and endoscopy washer-disinfectors, and within 24 months this plan was implemented. Once a robust validation system was in place, Graham concluded that a natural career progression was to qualify as an AE(D), and was thankful that the MPBE Department and his colleagues encouraged and supported him to pursue this path. On enrolling on the AE(D) framework in November 2021, Graham says: “The AEs that have successfully completed this will agree with me that it is not something to be taken lightly,” and although he found the process challenging at times, it was also extremely rewarding. He considers himself lucky to work in an environment where he has easy access to the relevant equipment and associated services, such as steam distribution systems and water treatment plants, and feels this helped greatly with various modules required for completion. He said: “The whole process was highly beneficial to my career, as it covered so many key areas of decontamination – particularly standards and legislation. I successfully registered as an AE(D) in August 2023, to date one of the biggest highlights of my career.”
It is imperative to stay abreast of emerging technology to ensure that you can offer advice and guidance which is not only relevant, but current. I started in the industry in 2004, and we have come a long way since then!
Reflecting on the responsibility of being an AE, Graham notes that ‘it is imperative to stay abreast of emerging technology to ensure that you can offer advice and guidance which is not only
relevant, but current. I started in the industry in 2004, and we have come a long way since then!’ He also finds the many knowledge- sharing events run by professional organisations helpful with Continuing Professional Development and general awareness. Whilst acknowledging that the role of an AE is diverse and can be challenging at times, Graham views the whole process and responsibility as ultimately rewarding and dynamic, and believes that the role has a positive impact on patient outcomes post-surgery. He recognises that personal limitations must occasionally be realised, noting that ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. Graham considers himself fortunate to have former colleagues who are also practicing AEs, as sometimes a second opinion can be invaluable. Looking to the future, he is driven and optimistic about his work as an AE: “I am continually focused on achieving a system that helps safeguard both the end-user and patient, by ensuring that the highest possible standard of decontamination practices is achieved.”
August 2024 Health Estate Journal 17
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