Search for more NHS jobs in London
Job overview
The Autonomic Unit (a leading nationally and internationally recognised centre dealing with a wide variety of autonomic disorders with a strong academic link with the Institute of Neurology) requires a clinical autonomic scientist/practitioner or trainee to work alongside our existing clinical autonomic scientists/practitioners.
The Autonomic Unit provides an integrated investigational, diagnostic and therapeutic management service for people with a variety of autonomic nervous system disorders. You will be part of the healthcare science team performing comprehensive specialist physiological investigations on patients with neurological and other medical disorders to inform diagnosis and therapy. The autonomic nervous system controls blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, sexual function, and the motility of the intestine and the urinary bladder.
Autonomic disorders can arise alone, as a single medical condition, or in combination with many other diseases such as parkinsonism and diabetes. Core duties relate to physiological diagnostic testing with the production of factual and clinical reports. You will be capable of self-directed learning. Phlebotomy skills and experience of specialist autonomic testing are desirable but not essential as full training will be given. You will be a caring person who enjoys interacting directly with the general public.
Main duties of the job
Undertake comprehensive specialist physiological testing and factual reporting of a range of autonomic functions in patients with neurological and other medical disorders using the wide range of medical technology within the area. This will include venepuncture/cannulation as part of the test procedures and the collection and processing of blood samples for specialist plasma biochemical assessment.
Provide and receive confidential, clinical, complex, contentious and sensitive information requiring reassurance, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and empathy: Consent patients for their investigations and encourage compliance with investigation protocols; extract relevant clinical information from correspondence, clinical case notes, patients and carers, explain clearly the investigations to be performed, their purpose and possible outcomes. Patients and carers may be anxious, confused or have limited English. You may need to work through an interpreter.
Write clear factual summaries in medical case notes of the complex information obtained during clinical investigations.
Prepare clear, detailed factual reports of investigations and present this information in writing for the medical records, local and external and orally at Consultants’ ward rounds, to departmental colleagues and a wide range of clinical staff. Reports must be produced in a timely manner.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
The Autonomic Unit is a leading nationally and internationally recognised centre dealing with a wide variety of autonomic disorders with a strong academic link with the Institute of Neurology). The Autonomic Unit provides an integrated investigational, diagnostic and therapeutic management service for people with a variety of autonomic nervous system disorders. Clinical autonomic scientists/practitioners are part of the healthcare science team performing comprehensive specialist physiological investigations on patients with neurological and other medical disorders to inform diagnosis and therapy. They work alongside consultants, nurses, administrators and researchers.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person specification
Values
Essential
- Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
Experience
Essential
- Proven ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English
Desirable
- Experience of performing autonomic investigations
- Basic life support and automated external defibrillator training
Communication
Essential
- High level of written and oral communication, including attention to details.
- Understanding of the data protection act and an ability to act in such a manner as to maintain and protect confidentiality at all times.
- Able to use influencing and persuasive skills
Desirable
- Proven ability to deal professionally and effectively with people who are difficult, distressed or anxious.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- - Analytical and Judgemental systems: Able to concentrate for prolonged periods during testing, data analysis and handling of blood samples yet cope with unpredictable interruptions.
- - Analytical and Judgemental systems: Able to accept responsibility
- - Analytical and Judgemental systems: Demonstrate effective prioritisation and time management skills
- - Analytical and Judgemental systems: Able to make sensible judgements involving facts/situations that may require analysis and interpretations
- - Quality and service improvement: Ability to adopt an objective view and be a good team player
- - Information processing (IT skills): Proven competence in the use of office computer software, e.g Word, Excel and Powerpoint
Specific Requirements
Essential
- - Physical effort: Able to stand for much of the day
- - Physical effort: Tolerant of hot, occasionally smelly environments:
- - Physical effort: Able to move to move cartons, some large, occasionally heavy (limited requirement)
- - Physical effort: Able to assist with the transfer of immobile/impaired people
- - Physical skills: Able or willing to learn phlebotomy skills, including cannulation
- - Physical skills: Dexterity and good hand-eye co-ordination for accuracy, to include above average keyboard skills, transfer/handling of blood/plasma, phlebotomy, delicate and expensive electronic equipment
- - Physical skills: The postholder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post, this will be determined through occupational health with any reasonable aids provided wherever possible
- - Miscellaneous: Understanding of and commitment to the needs of the Autonomic Unit service
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in life sciences or equivalent
Desirable
- Familiar with decontamination procedures for bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials
Personal and People Development
Essential
- Enabling people to learn new skills and information
- Able to undertake self-directed study without a structured timetable
- Able to learn new skills
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties
WhatsApp job alerts
Get instant WhatsApp alerts for Nurse roles in London
Create your Job Clerk account first. We'll collect your alert preferences during onboarding and help you turn on WhatsApp notifications for matching healthcare roles.
Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Clinical Autonomic Practitioner/Scientist with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Nurse practitioner role. The advertised salary is £47,951 - £56,863 Per annum inclusive of HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 16 Aug 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (31 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.