The authority is looking to secure the services of several suitably skilled, qualified and experienced Authorising Engineers across a range of categories to act as Authorising Engineers (AE).

An authorising is an independent engineer or other appropriately experienced and qualified individual appointed to take responsibility for the effective management of the safety guidance recommended by the Department of Health.

The Authorising Engineer will act as an independent professional adviser to the healthcare organisation. The Authorising Engineer should be appointed by the organisation with a brief to provide services in accordance with the relevant Health Technical Memorandum (HTM). The professional status and role required may vary in accordance with the specialist service being supported. Both Sussex partnership trust and surrey and borders partnership Trust may contract with successful bidders.

The Authorising Engineer will act as an independent professional adviser to the healthcare organisation. The Authorising Engineer should be appointed by the healthcare organisation.

The Authorising Engineer is a chartered engineer with appropriate experience, whose appointment is the responsibility of the designated person. The person appointed should possess the necessary degree of independence from local management to take action within this guidance including the implementation, administration and monitoring of the safety arrangements defined in BS 7255.

The Authorising Engineer will act as assessor and make recommendations for the appointment of Authorised Persons, monitor the performance of the service, and provide an annual audit to the designated person. To effectively carry out this role, particularly with regard to audit, the Authorising Engineer should be independent of the operational structure of the authority (see also health technical memorandum 06-02).

The roles of the Authorising Engineer are twofold:

— first, they should provide professional advice and directly manage issues related to electrical installations to ensure that the electrical systems and equipment are fit for use,

— second, they should ensure the safety of personnel who are using, or who are near, such equipment.

An Authorising Engineer is appointed in writing by the designated person to take responsibility for the effective management of the safety guidance. The person appointed should possess the necessary degree of independence from local management to take action within this guidance.

To ensure systems are fit for use, the Authorising Engineer and the Authorised Person should be consulted before major alterations or the procurement of major plant (which could adversely affect the existing installation) are made.

Maintain and extend a sound theoretical approach in enabling the introduction and exploitation of new and advancing technology and other relevant situations/projects.

Engage in the creative and innovative development of engineering technology and continuous improvement systems.

This should include: identify constraints and exploit opportunities for the development and transfer of technology within the area of healthcare ventilation systems.

Promote new innovative applications when appropriate for the design and safe operation of healthcare ventilation systems.

Secure the necessary intellectual property rights.

Develop and evaluate continuous improvement systems.