An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Respiratory Physiology Services at Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust.

We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Respiratory Physiologist to join our busy expanding and evolving service. The department will offer full lung function investigations and muscle weakness testing. The sleep service offers Respiratory polygraphy, CPAP set-up, and reviews. The skilled individual should comprehensive understanding of Lung function testing and diagnostic sleep testing, including set-up of oximetry and Polygraphy, and a basic understanding of reporting of sleep studies. Experience in CPAP therapy trouble shooting, maintenance and advice is necessary.

The successful applicant should be a friendly motivated individual that wants to excel professionally and is committed to provide a high-quality service. You must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Candidates must have a Clinical Physiology BSc or equivalent is required and should be looking to working toward ARTP examinations. The appointee should also be working towards AHCS registration.

Should we be unable to appoint we would be looking to take on a trainee so would encourage applications from people with an appropriate 1st class honours degrees in physiology who would be interested in undertaking a 12 month post graduate training programme in respiratory science at UWE. Salary for a trainee would then be subject to agenda for change Annex 21.

We are committed to support learning and development so a successful candidate should be confident that they will be supported to consolidate their knowledge and develop expertise.

Duties of the role would include the ability to undertake clinical activity such as;

Full pulmonary function tests including static and dynamic lung volumes, gas transfer, reversibility assessments and mannitol challenge, respiratory muscle assessments Snip and supine spirometry.

In addition the post holder would be expected to perform CPAP follow up appointments, Issue and return and analysis of sleep assessments (oximetry and respiratory polygraphy) as well as take part in supporting patients on CPAP treatment

Other non-clinical duties would include;

Responsibility for own learning and development, willingness to train in a sub speciality area.

Participates in audit and research activities

Supports on delivering training and education across the immediate team and wider staff network

The Lung Function and Sleep Service at Gloucestershire Hospitals is a busy service with a blended staff of Physiologists, Nurses and Assistant / Associate practitioners. We are committed to seeing our staff succeed in their career journey and will look to support education opportunities and progression where possible. We operate our services from 3 locations, Cheltenham General as our main site, an inpatient spoke at Gloucestershire Royal and our diagnostic sleep service and at the Gloucestershire Community Diagnostic Centre at Gloucester Quays.

We have a cohort of approximately 7500 patient using CPAP, 250 on NIV and undertook over 1700 diagnostic sleep studies and initiated over 900 CPAP treatments for patient. In addition we undertook pulmonary function test on 3500 patients.

Responsibilities

Clinical, Scientific and Technical

• To assist the Lead for Respiratory Physiology in setting local technical standards.
• To perform a wide range of respiratory function tests listed below:
• Spirometry/flow volume loops
• Gas transfer measurements
• Lung volume measurements using body plethysmography
• Bronchodilator tests
• Ear lobe capillary blood gas analysis
• Bronchial challenge testing using Mannitol (with supervision and support)
• Respiratory muscle testing (MIP, MEP and SNIP) and supine/sitting spirometry
• Overnight oximetry
• Home polygraphy sleep studies (not including analysis)
• Any other tests deemed necessary by the head of the department

CPAP follow up and reviews

• Train in CPAP initiation, Sleep Analysis and NIV clinics.
• To carry out all techniques and work independently as an unsupervised independent practitioner.
• Take responsibility for the functioning, calibration and quality assurance of measurements on complex specialised instruments, and maintain calibration records and audits of work activity
• The post-holder will provide specialist professional expertise to other staff members within and outside of the department as required.
• To communicate test procedures clearly and sympathetically, in order to obtain cooperation and best effort from patients and provide reassurance to patients as appropriate
• To deliver appropriate and individualised patient care at all times.
• To provide cross-cover within areas of the technical services, as the needs of the service dictate.
• The post-holder will analyse complex information that may be technical and / or clinical, using best current scientific opinion, to interpret data and make autonomous decisions on how best to act.
• Be personally responsible for the adherence to the correct procedure for the disinfection of equipment, adhering closely to local and Trust infection control procedures, quality standards, set guidelines and risk assessments.
• Responsible for stock control and ordering to maintain adequate stock levels.

Management

• Responsible for daily management of their clinics. Including competent use of the electronic booking systems; arranging appointments for outpatients and inpatients where necessary. Liaise closely with clerical team and give timely advice on changes to their electronic diary. Able to triage and prioritise vet urgent requests in order that the department workload is managed efficiently and appropriately
• Liaise closely with clinicians, wards and outpatients and respond to queries regarding the lung function service, ensuring the delivery of a prompt and efficient service. This will include advising medical staff at all levels about the value of the tests requested, availability and interpretation of results
• Assist in updating and writing local policies and procedures
• Use IT packages to keep careful records of all work activity, carrying out audits where appropriate
• The post holder must observe the rules, policies and procedures of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and promote them within the department.

Communication:

• To ensure that all staff maintain accurate/legible patient records.
• Communication skills may be required in a wide range of situations, including: provision of presentations and / or training to large / small staff groups, including other physiologist, nursing and medical staff.
• To communicate relevant Trust-wide changes with the team as required.

Teaching, training, professional and research:

• To maintain full conversance with current training curricula and Modernising Scientific Careers program.
• Participate in CPD scheme by attending professional meetings, relevant course and further training as part of personal development, and to further the work of the department.
• To actively participate in maintaining professional development.
• To keep up to date with current lung function measurement techniques, procedures and technical developments.
• Carry out research and audits to support clinical research and development; advice on protocols and maintain quality assurance records, and to further the work of the department.
• To ensure Mandatory training certificates are current.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent contact with emotionally challenging conditions with critically ill patients and be able to deal with patient fatality during investigation and treatment.
• Understanding of hazards posed by blood products and bodily fluids.
• Potential for needlestick and sharps related injuries
• Infectious patients and risk of cross-contamination.
• Hazardous agents
• Contact with aggressive patients / visitors / staff (verbal and physical).
• Transportation of equipment around the hospital for ward-based studies.
• Transportation of patients around hospital before / after procedures.
• Moving patients between chairs and beds for various tests / procedures.

General conditions:
Confidentiality

In the course of your employment, you may have access to, see or hear confidential information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and or staff. Unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must such information be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duties. Breaches of confidence, including improper passing of registered computer data, will result in disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal. You should be aware that regardless of any action taken by your employing authority, a breach of confidence could result in a civil action for damages.

In addition, records, including VDU screens and computer printouts of registered data must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them. Written records must either be destroyed or retained in safe custody when no longer required, VDU screens should always be cleared when unattended.

Terms and Conditions of Service

The principle terms and conditions of your appointment will be those set out in the Agenda for Change national agreement as amended from time to time by the NHS Staff Council. These terms and conditions are set out in the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook, which is available on the Trust’s intranet and NHS Employers web site.

Health and Safety

It is the duty of every employee to work in such a way that accidents to themselves and to others are avoided, and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. Employees will, therefore, refer any matters of concern through their respective line managers.

Data Quality

As part of your employment you may be required to record Patient Information (computerised or on paper). You have a responsibility to ensure that information is entered accurately, completely and consistently. It is particularly important that patients’ demographic details are kept up to date. Problems should be reported to your Manager.

No Smoking Policy

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust operates a no smoking policy. Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the buildings and grounds of all Trust sites. These restrictions include all areas up to the boundaries of all sites.

Job Share
As part of its commitment to Equal Opportunities in employment, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a policy on Job Sharing. Under this policy all posts, unless exempted, are open to Job Share.

NB

This job description is not intended to form part of the contract of employment or to be a complete list of duties and responsibilities, but is a good guide for information to the job. It will be periodically reviewed in the light of developing work requirements in the department. The officer in the post will be expected to contribute to that review.