Chief Cardiac Physiologist- Royal Brompton Hospital

Job overview

The Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK. We are known throughout the world for our expertise, our standard of care and research. The Royal Brompton in Chelsea has 6 cardiac catheter labs with 2 dedicated EP/CRM labs and one of the UK’s busiest CRM clinics with a large paediatric and ACHD population.

Candidates should have at least Band 6 level experience  in all Invasive and Non-Invasive procedures and with experience in both complex CRM device implantation and follow up. Knowledgeable understanding of Electrophysiology , EP training can be provided for career progression.

Main duties of the job

Has previous experience of a range of tests and procedures, encompassing a broad range of cardiac investigations (Invasive and Non-Invasive-Band 6 level).

Continues to develop skills to support new technologies and service developments.

Works in conjunction with senior colleagues to assist with department’s continuing commitment to training and development of trainee PTP/STP Cardiac Physiologists and associated practitioners.

Participates in external and in-house training programs, providing education and training to other health service / allied professionals.

Participates in quality control and technical audit as part of the trust’s clinical governance program and the cardiology departments aim of clinical excellence.

Assists in provision of a 24hr cardiac physiology service by participating in the departmental on-call rota (when appropriately trained), able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job summary

Participates and actively contributes to an efficient and effective cardiac physiology service at Royal Brompton Hospital and continues to develop skills to support new technologies and service developments.

Works in conjunction with senior colleagues to assist with the effective training and development of trainee PTP/STP cardiac physiologists and associated practitioners.

Participates in external and in-house training programmes, providing education and training to other health service / allied professionals.

Participates in quality control and technical audit as part of the Trust’s clinical governance programme and the cardiology departments aim of clinical excellence.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Patient/customer care (both direct and indirect)

Assists the pacing clinic lead in the day-to-day running of the clinic.

Interprets technical information/data from device follow up and prepares reports, bringing any clinically significant findings to the attention of the clinical team.

Assists the cardiac physiology team during the pacemaker/ICD clinics and suggests pacemaker therapy based on clinical findings.

Assists the pacing clinic lead with research and audits. Supports junior staff and students with undertaking research studies.

Provides support for cardioversion, pre operative preparation , MRI and on wards as required. Provision for EP training for career propgression.

During pacemaker follow-up clinics, may be required to move patients in wheelchairs. Assists in cleaning clinic at the end of each investigation/procedure.

To liase with admin team to ensure all patients have appropriate follow up.

Behaves in a manner consistent with Trust values and deals respectfully and sensitively with patients during clinic follow ups, explaining  reasons for tests, and making an agreed future plan for patient care.

To assist the pacing clinic lead in dealing with complaints in a kind and open manner.

• Policy development

Participates in Cardiology Department meetings, providing input to the development of policies and protocols for the pacing department.

• Service development

Participates in the development of the pacing service by undertaking critical reviews of working practices, staying abreast of new developments in technology and maintaining a good overall knowledge of investigative cardiology.  Attendance at national and international educational meetings is encouraged.

Reports any discrepancies in the required level of service or patient safety to the appropriate senior level cardiac physiologist.

Actively participates in the streamlining of the remote monitoring service for implantable cardiac devices.

Assists with the development, updating and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPs) and protocols within the department.

• People management

Assists in the formulation of staff rotas in order to allocate staff to fulfil the workload of the department.  Assists in the induction of all new members of  staff.

Assists the lead cardiac physiologists in a programme of training in the department, to ensure all physiologists are updated with regard to good clinical practice and have up to date knowledge about algorithms.

Assisting with development of patient support services in conjunction with other parts of the Trust including patient education.

Ensures equipment in the pacemaker clinic is working well and appropriately report technical faults.

• Communication

Participates in and provides input to all cardiology departmental meetings.

Participates in a programme of quality control and technical audit as part of the Trust’s clinical governance programme.

Participates in development of pacing clinic patient information materials and development of a patient support group.

Maintains a high standard of clinical practice.

Ensures that all patients, their relatives and visitors are acknowledged in an appropriate and friendly manner at all times.

Ensures that patient’s privacy, dignity, religious and cultural beliefs are respected.

Answers the telephone in a kind and respectful manner and directs calls to the relevant person/department when required. Answers queries from patients, GP’s, other hospitals relating to patient investigations and the results of the same, along with technical questions concerning any technical equipment.

Uses and develops effective communication skills. Effective communication is essential with the physiology team. patients and relatives, ward staff and  consultants.

Facilitates good liaisons and working relationships with staff from other disciplines  and departments.

Awareness  of procedures involving patient/visitor/staff complaints.

• Resource management

Participates in departmental stock control with regard to devices.

Liaises with the Biomedical Engineering Department to ensure that all non-disposable equipment is kept operational and maintained appropriately at all times.

• Information management

Enters accurate details into the departmental database.  Enters pacing reports on Pacenet while ensuring the patient details are correct.

Trained to use the central patient information system and PaceNet database to track patients, medical records and appointments.

Ensures adequate documentation of all patient records. Reviews technical reports following patient investigations, prior to their release to other hospitals, GP’s, consultants.

• Research

Participates in and reports, for publication or internal use, on research into appropriate aspects of cardiac physiology. Assists in the development of new techniques in Invasive and non-invasive cardiology department.

Further sections

• To ensure all team members have a real voice in the development of the cardiac physiology service to patients/customers.
• To maximise the potential of all team members
• To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources
• To represent the Trust at regional and national conferences and on working groups as appropriate
• To abide by the Trust’s core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety policies.

Other duties

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive.  It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS ATTACHED ON THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Core behaviours for all Trust staff

All staff will commit to:

• Act with honesty and integrity at all times
• Demonstrate respect for others and value diversity
• Focus on the patient and internal and external customer at all times
• Make an active contribution to developing the service
• Learn from and share experience and knowledge
• Keep others informed of issues of importance and relevance
• Consciously review mistakes and successes to improve performance
• Act as ambassadors for their directorate and the Trust
• Be aware of the impact of their own behaviour on others
• Be discreet and aware of issues requiring confidentiality

In addition, all managers and supervisors will:

• Value and recognise the ideas and contributions of all team members
• Coach individuals and teams to perform to the best of their ability
• Delegate work to develop individuals in their roles and realise their potential
• Give ongoing feedback on performance, and effectively manage poor performance
• Provide support and guidance to all team members
• Encourage their team to achieve work/personal life balance
• Actively listen to comments/challenges and respond constructively
• Lead by example, setting high standards
• Ensure that there are sufficient resources for their team and rebalance priorities accordingly
• Provide a safe working environment