Associate Respiratory Physiologist

Job overview

An exciting permanent  vacancy has arisen for a suitably motivated individual to join our busy team. You will be a caring and dedicated individual who has excellent communication skills. Ideally you will have had previous experience of working in a clinical setting or a customer care environment.

The Respiratory Physiology team is based within the Respiratory Centre at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton with a Community Diagnostic Centre at Cannock Chase Hospital. Both laboratories provide a wide range of diagnostic services .  The post holder will be primarily based at Cannock Chase Hospital, working in the delivery of Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) respiratory diagnostic tests. There will be a requirement for cross site working.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to perform a range of routine respiratory physiology investigations and therapies on patients across the healthcare economy referred to the department. High standards are expected in terms of equipment maintenance, quality control, laboratory/departmental safety, booking of appointments, performance of tests. The role involves working as part of a team supporting the sleep and ventilation and home oxygen services. They will also be expected to be involved in supporting the administrative and technical functions within the Respiratory Physiology service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• Independently undertakes Spirometry and reversibility testing in a variety of clinical settings and competently interprets results.
• Undertakes with indirect supervision routine respiratory physiology procedures including full pulmonary function testing (dynamic and static lung volumes, gas transfer, bronchodilator response), pulse oximetry, overnight pulse oximetry (screening for sleep disordered breathing) MIP/MEP/SNIP, exhaled nitric oxide tests, field walking tests (6MWT,ISWT), limited respiratory sleep studies (equipment set up and issue), annual CPAP follow up.
• The post holder will be expected to support and assist senior physiologists when performing more advanced and specialised procedures.
• To provide accurate technical reports.
• To develop and maintain knowledge and skills.
• To provide assistance with other procedures performed within the respiratory centre and local health economy. Post assessment home oxygen visits and Cystic Fibrosis service.
• Assist with audit and research activity.

Managerial and Organisational

• To supervise and train assistant respiratory physiologists in performing spirometry to recognised national standards. To assist with spirometry training courses/teaching.
• To undertake/supervise cleaning responsibilities within the respiratory centre.
• To support the lead respiratory physiologist in the overall delivery of patient focussed services.
• Contribute to the day to day running of the department, including appointment provision, stock control and ordering, quality control measurements, equipment and consumables purchase.
• Ensure data collection is accurate and timely.

Professional Development

• To undertake personal development review / continual professional development.
• To undertake any additional training required to perform the duties of the post.
• Adopt a professional and flexible approach to the needs of the department and those of the trust.

Other duties

• To use and maintain IT systems including locally built databases, e-referral and third party software.
• To keep senior staff informed of all matters which may affect service continuity.
• To be familiar and adhere to all trust policies and procedures with relation to the role.