Respiratory Physiologist Community

Job overview

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to join the Chest Unit team the post- holder is responsible for the delivery quality assured diagnostic spirometry services in Bromley. The post holder will be based at Princess Royal University Hospital and provide clinics in the surrounding community GP practices and Oxleas mental health trust sites.

The post-holder will be responsible for independently performing quality assured diagnostic spirometry, exhaled FENO and eCO tests in a community setting.

Responsibility to read and follow Standard Operating Procedures and to participate actively in the calibration and quality assurance of equipment as required.

Responsibility to ensure that their competencies records are completed and maintained as necessary

Responsibility to escalate issues outside of their competence to a more senior physiologist and any report any incidents or near misses as appropriate.

This is an ongoing pilot service with a view to extending the contract.

Main duties of the job

• Independently perform quality-assured spirometry, FeNO and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) testing for adults in community and primary care settings.
• Ensure all diagnostic testing is undertaken in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines, Trust policies and standard operating procedures.
• Calibrate, maintain and perform quality control checks on diagnostic equipment, reporting any faults appropriately.
• Assess patients for contraindications, obtain verbal consent and provide clear instructions to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
• Recognise poor patient technique and provide coaching to achieve the best possible diagnostic outcomes.
• Perform bronchodilator reversibility testing where clinically indicated.
• Prepare accurate diagnostic reports for review by a Senior Physiologist.
• Escalate urgent clinical concerns identified during testing to the appropriate clinician.
• Maintain accurate patient records and activity data in line with Trust information governance requirements.
• Support the administration and smooth running of community respiratory diagnostic clinics while delivering safe, effective and patient-centred care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsibility for the provision of a quality assured diagnostic spirometry, exhaled FENO and CO testing service with no day-to-day supervision from a Senior Physiologist.

• Independently performing quality assured baseline spirometry on adults and children in a community or primary care setting
• Ensuring that all required calibration and quality control procedures have been performed and documented
• Obtaining verbal consent prior to testing and highlighting any patients who do not wish to consent with the clinic lead
• Ensuring that all spirometry measurements are performed to the required national standards for reproducibility and reliability as per ATS/ERS guidelines.
• Recognising errors in patient technique and providing direction for the correction of errors
• Ensuring that patients are aware of and have adhered to pre-tests instructions
• Documentation of deviations to pre-test instructions
• Documentation of any errors in patient technique so that it is considered during the reporting process
• Ensuring that all relevant contra-indications to spirometry testing have been assessed prior to testing
• Adherence to standard operating protocol that ensure infection control and safety during spirometry measurements
• Ensuring that all equipment issues and faults are escalated to a senior physiologist
• Recognising if a patient requires highlighting to the clinic lead for urgent clinical intervention
• Performing spirometry to assess for reversibility to bronchodilator
• The post holder will be required to obtain the ARTP Foundation Certificate in Spirometry
• Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO)
• Measurement of exhaled Carbon monoxide (eCO)
• Preparation of reports for spirometry and FENO results for checking by Senior Physiologist

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.