Chief Respiratory Physiologist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen at James Paget Hospital for an experienced and motivated professional to lead and develop the Respiratory Diagnostic and Sleep Services.

The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive Lung Function, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET), and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) service, ensuring high‑quality, patient‑centred care in accordance with national standards.

The role includes responsibility for the management and development of Technical Respiratory staff, delegated budgetary responsibility, provision of specialist technical advice, and an active role in IQIPS accreditation and quality improvement processes.

Applicants may be appointed under a structured training and development framework where appropriate, with the expectation of progressing to the full Band 7 role following successful completion of agreed competencies. (Annex 21 Developmental Opportunity )

Main duties of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide advanced respiratory diagnostic investigations, independently leading and coaching patients to achieve accurate, reproducible, and clinically meaningful lung function results.
• Lead the investigation of sleep‑disordered breathing, including domiciliary oximetry, limited and inpatient sleep studies, and capillary blood gas sampling.
• Initiate and manage CPAP and Bi‑level (BiPAP) therapy in accordance with Consultant Physician direction.
• Provide ongoing clinical support and review for patients established on non‑invasive ventilation, assessing treatment efficacy, adherence, and equipment suitability.
• Actively contribute to Sleep Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings, providing expert technical and clinical input.
• Perform a full range of advanced lung function and exercise assessments, including: Static and dynamic lung volumes Bronchodilator responsiveness Gas transfer (TLCO) Neuromuscular respiratory assessments 6‑minute walk testing Advanced cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)
• Static and dynamic lung volumes
• Bronchodilator responsiveness
• Gas transfer (TLCO)
• Neuromuscular respiratory assessments
• 6‑minute walk testing
• Advanced cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)
• Undertake bronchial challenge testing, hypoxic challenge (Fitness to Fly assessments), overnight oximetry, and LTOT assessments in line with agreed protocols.
• Maintain responsibility for equipment calibration, quality control, and clinical governance.

Leadership, Training and Development

• Act as a senior professional role model, demonstrating expert clinical practice and leadership.
• Lead and manage staff within the Technical Respiratory Department, ensuring high standards of performance, safety, and patient care.
• Develop, deliver, and evaluate training programmes for student clinical physiologists and assistant practitioners, including competency assessment.
• Provide education and training to other healthcare professionals and medical students, particularly in lung function testing and interpretation.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of current research, national guidance, and service developments, sharing learning across the team.
• Undertake and support ongoing professional development in respiratory investigations and reporting

Resource Management

Hold responsibility for pay and non‑pay budgets, ensuring effective financial and resource management. Maximise resource utilisation, controlling expenditure and maintaining service efficiency. Identify opportunities for securing external funding where appropriate. Oversee staff rotas, ensuring service resilience, flexibility, and appropriate skill mix.