Senior Cardiac Physiologist- Royal Brompton Hospital

Job overview

Candidates should have at least Band 5 level with experience  in all Invasive and Non-Invasive procedures. Participates and actively contributes to an efficient and effective Cardiac Physiology Service at Royal Brompton Hospital.

Performs and assists in a range of tests and procedures, encompassing all invasive and non-invasive cardiac investigations within the hospital.

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

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.

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 programmes, providing education and training to other health service / allied professionals. Assist in the running of designated sections of the Cardiology Department, assists in organisation of weekly workload, supervises junior staff members and ensures the section is managed efficiently and safely in absence of a senior colleague. Participates in quality control and technical audit as part of the trusts clinical governance programme and the cardiology departments aim of clinical excellence.

Main duties of the job

Participates to a high level of competency and, when necessary, assists senior Cardiac Physiologists in the supervision of, all sections of the cardiac physiology department including all areas of invasive and non-invasive cardiology, cardiac theatre, ITU and ward monitoring, cardioversions, temporary cardiac pacing and balloon pumping.  Participates in hospital on-call rota when appropriately trained and when on-call, is responsible for all sections of department. Interprets technical information/data from patient investigations and prepares reports, bringing any clinically significant findings to the attention of clinicians.Assists in the delivery of PCI, right heart caths and paediatric cases for diagnostic and intervention. Use of complex PCI equipment and intended use. Provides technical reports for intervention cases and management of cath lab haemodynamic systems including troubleshooting. Assist in device implants and analyses pacemaker/patient interaction.Assists the Chief Cardiac Physiologists with patients during the pacemaker/ICD clinics, using pacemaker programmers both within the department and at associated hospital trusts. Provides technical support for intra aortic balloon pumping, impella, permanent/temporary pacing, FFR and monitoring to all wards throughout the hospital and maintains cardiology related stock levels in all the aforementioned areas. Organises patient appointments for non-invasive tests / procedures and reschedules those who fail to attend.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Participates to a high level of competency and, when necessary, assists senior Cardiac Physiologists in the supervision of, all sections of the cardiac physiology department including all areas of invasive and non-invasive cardiology, cardiac theatre, ITU and ward monitoring, cardioversions, temporary cardiac pacing and IABP insertion.  Participates in hospital on-call rota when appropriately trained and when on-call, is responsible for all sections of department.  Required to concentrate for long periods of time (for periods in excess of 2 hours). Participates in waiting list initiatives.

Interprets technical information/data from patient investigations and prepares reports, bringing any clinically significant findings to the attention of a specialist registrar / consultant.

Assists in the delivery of PCI, right heart caths and paediatric cases for diagnostic and intervention. Use of complex PCI equipment and intended use. Provides technical reports for intervention cases and management of cath lab haemodynamic systems including troubleshooting.

Assist in pacemaker/ICD implants and analyses pacemaker/patient interaction.   Based on this analysis, reports to implanting physician suitability (or otherwise) of electrodes position(s). Assists the Chief Cardiac Physiologists with patients during the pacemaker/ICD clinics, using pacemaker programmers (dedicated computers) both within the department and at associated hospital trusts, suggests pacemaker therapy prescriptions based on clinic findings.

Provides technical support for intra aortic balloon pumping, Impella, permanent/temporary pacing, FFR and monitoring to all wards throughout the hospital and maintains cardiology related stock levels in all the aforementioned areas.

Carries out DC cardioversions in cardiac theatres on patients who present with atrial fibrillation/flutter who may/may not have pacemaker/ICD’s in situ.

During all cardiac investigations where the patient is at immediate risk of arrhythmia or arrest, monitors patients ECG, reports immediately in the event of any rhythm change/arrest and responds immediately to rescue the patient (provides life support /external defibrillation).

During catheter laboratory procedures, assists in moving patients from examination couch to trolley/chair and moves patients whilst on trolley/chair. Assists in cleaning clinic/catheter laboratory at the end of each investigation/procedure.  Moves heavy equipment.

Organises patient appointments for non-invasive tests / procedures and reschedules those who fail to attend.

Trained and participates in Immediate Life Support (ILS) and/or Advanced Life

Support (ALS).  Assists during the ALS recertification process as required at

weekends.

Acts tactfully and sympathetically towards patients who may be extremely anxious especially when giving them information or results or when they are admitted in critical condition. During catheter laboratory procedures explains to patients reasons for relevant tests and comforts patient during stressful events.

Where patients / patient’s relatives have objections to, or are uncertain with regards to, procedures or have complaints within the Cardiology Department/ Cardiology Outpatients, acts sympathetically to persuade/overcome the objection, satisfying the complaint using persuasion and tact.