Lead Gastrointestinal Physiologist

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join our GI physiology department as the Lead Physiologist. The service comprises specialist gastroenterologists, clinical scientists, clinical nurse specialists, and physiotherapists, working together to deliver highly specialist care for patients with complex gastrointestinal, colorectal and pelvic disorders. As a department we provide GI Physiology investigations and offer treatments including sacral nerve neuromodulation programming, botulinum toxin injection for anal fissures, colorectal pelvic floor physiotherapy, behavioural therapy and nurse-led advice for constipation and incontinence.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will independently perform, analyse and report a range of gastrointestinal physiology investigations, including high-resolution oesophageal manometry, ambulatory intra-oesophageal pH and impedance monitoring, wireless pH monitoring, hydrogen/methane breath testing and anorectal physiology for both adult and paediatric patients. The department works closely with the local gastroenterologists and surgeons as well as other MDT members to undertake MDT reviews of physiological investigations, alongside other modalities to formulate diagnoses and personalised treatment strategies.

As the Lead Clinical Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality diagnostic and therapeutic GI physiology services. This includes provision of adult and paediatric pathways for GI motility investigations. You will work autonomously to perform, analyse, and report complex diagnostic investigations, while also providing strategic and operational leadership across the service. You will need to demonstrate a range of practical skills and be competent to provide training and supervision in GI Physiology.

We appreciate that GI Physiology services can vary across the UK and that potential applicants may not have experience in all the tests provided by our department or in performing paediatric investigations. We would still be interested to hear from you if you are interested in this role.

Main Responsibilities -

- Independently perform, analyse, and report a wide range of GI diagnostic tests

- Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, including upper GI physiology, paediatric GI physiology, and pelvic floor MDTs

- Ensure all diagnostic services are delivered in line with evidence-based practice and national standards

- Provide day-to-day operational management of the GI physiology unit, including pelvic floor and therapy services (across sites where applicable)

- Manage service capacity, patient flow, and operational pressures to maintain high-quality care and performance

- Lead on service development, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, patient experience, and clinical outcomes

- Provide line management and leadership to a multidisciplinary team, including Clinical Scientists, Specialist Nurses, Physiologists, Assistants, and administrative staff

- Oversee workforce planning, staff development, and performance management

- Ensure delivery of speciality-specific and national targets, working collaboratively with clinical teams and escalating issues as required