B7 Respiratory and Sleep Healthcare Scientist/Physiologist

Undertakes a wide range of both simple and highly complex procedures in Sleep and lung function testing

Reporting from simple to complex assessments in Sleep and lung function testing

Teaching of sleep and lung function to students, nurses, and members of the lay public

Scientific research in to sleep and lung function testing

To work and provide supervision in the adult services for lung function and sleep investigations and treatment.

To have a flexible approach to working that matches the clinical needs of the service that will involve shiftwork and working cross-site.

Undertakes, and analyses a range of specialist diagnostic investigations for the assessment of sleep breathing/non-sleep breathing disorders in adults, including pulse oximetry, PAT, capillary and transcutaneous blood gas monitoring. Tests to be undertaken according to current AASM standards or variations within the policies/protocols of the department.

Undertakes, analyses and reports on a range of simple through to complex assessments of lung function in patients with a wide range of disorders. Assessments to be undertaken according to current international ERS/ATS standards or variations within the policies/protocols of the department.

Supports multidisciplinary staff on the use and type of CPAP equipment for acute and elective admissions, and initiating, assessing, and evaluating this therapy as required.

Assess training and instruct junior staff in the techniques used within the department.

To perform studies and measurements and give technical advice and support on research projects carried out within the department or in collaboration with other departments/companies/hospitals.

Provision of clinical and scientific advice to service users - patients, carers, healthcare practitioners etc, on the range of investigations and treatment and their appropriateness to answer specific clinical problems in sleep, non-invasive ventilation, and lung function testing.

Communicates complex information, which may be sensitive and/or contentious, to patients and their carers regarding the outcomes of a range of test results within sleep and pulmonary function testing.

With the Healthcare Professional Manager and Consultant Clinical Scientist review existing processes and review protocols.

Supervise and train junior staff.

Act as local work-based assessor within sleep and lung function for trainee Healthcare Scientists and Clinical Physiologists through the SHA training schemes, MSC training schemes etc, ensuring that core training is provided to these staffs either directly by the post-holder or by other staffs within the service.

Perform HR procedures in the department in accordance with the trust policy including performance review of junior staff members, absence, and recruitment procedures.

Be responsible for stock control and ordering.

Ensure the calibration, maintenance, minor trouble shooting, quality assurance and infection control of lung function and sleep equipment is maintained. Immediately inform the Healthcare Professional Manager of any faulty equipment and withdraw it from patient/clinical use until repair or replacement.

To show initiative in overcoming daily challenges and to be pro-active in improving and developing the department.

Regularly uses complex software in the acquisition, analysis and reporting of simple through to complex sleep studies, with the creation of reports as required.

Regularly uses complex data analysis software for the monitoring, interpretation, reporting and management of patients using CPAP and undergoing lung function testing.

Regularly uses a broad range of computer software including iClip, Powerpoint, and Word, as well as specialist packages for data analysis to create reports, documents and presentations.

Day-to-day management of data systems and their back-up for sleep diagnostics and treatment and lung function testing within the Information Governance Framework

Implements local and national policies, codes of practice and guidelines in clinical areas for best practice of measurement, assessment and application of therapeutic regimens, and where appropriate, new developments within the field of Sleep Diagnostics as directed by the Healthcare Scientist Professional Manager and Consultant Clinical Scientist.

Develops and implements, in conjunction with the Healthcare Scientist Professional Manager and Consultant Clinical Scientist, new and innovative ways of working to improve efficiency and productivity of the services

Proposes changes of new policies and procedures within the respiratory physiology service, which may impact across the Trust.

Plans day-to-day activities for staff and service provision within the respiratory physiology service.

Liaise with reception staff to ensure smooth running of the respiratory physiology clinics.

Ensure correct and up to date information is entered onto Trust and departmental databases for the purposes of audit and research.

Take part in research and audit studies within the department as requested by the Healthcare Scientist Professional Manager and Consultant Clinical Scientist.

The postholder is expected to have a clear understanding of how this post contributes to the achievement of the trust vision of:

A thriving Foundation Trust at the heart of an integrated healthcare system. One that delivers improved patient care at a community, hospital and specialist setting, supported by a unique and nationally recognised programme of research, education and employee engagement.

We expect all our staff to share the values that are important to the Trust, being Excellent, Kind, Responsible & Respectful, and behave in a way that reflects these.

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects that all staff will share in this commitment. The Trust is clear that all staff have a responsibility to be aware of children and adult safeguarding policies and procedures and that each member of staff, clinical and non-clinical, will attend child or adult safeguarding training that is provided at an appropriate level to suit their role. The Trust has the additional expectation that all staff will be able to identify concerns and know what action to take.

Qualifications

Knowledge

Skills

Desirable: - Demonstrate leadership skills.; - Previous experience of Hospital software.; - Evidence of managing a laboratory.