Trainee Associate Practitioner

Job overview

These posts come with the opportunity to start on a Band 3 trainee post and with successful completion of the apprenticeship, relevant training and experience, it will allow the opportunity to progress towards the Band 4 Associate Practitioner role.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Trainee Associate Respiratory Practitioner posts based in the the Respiratory Physiology Unit at Glenfield Hospital in Leicestershire.

If you are scientifically minded with appropriate qualifications and have experience of working with the general public this is an ideal opportunity for you to train and develop alongside completing a Level 4 Respiratory Apprenticeship.

These posts require individuals to be scientifically minded, enthusiastic, motivated and possess excellent communication and organisational skills as well as a keen eye for detail, and the ability to accurately record and input information. The trainee practitioner will be responsible for performing routine spirometry, full pulmonary function tests, reversibility studies, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and sleep diagnostics . They will also be expected to undertake administrative work and infection prevention within these clinical areas. No previous experience is necessary as full training will be given, however, the successful candidate should demonstrate an understanding of the role. Therefore all interested candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the department.

Main duties of the job

• The job holder will undertake a range of respiratory, sleep and BP investigations to a high standard.
• To assist more senior colleagues in other areas of physiological measurements i.e. cardio-pulmonary exercise testing
• To undertake the maintenance and stock control of patient equipment the department provides i.e. nebulisers, CPAP, NIV
• Ensure all equipment and resources are maintained to required standards and adhere to both Health and Safety and Infection Prevention policies
• Responsible for ensuring the technical accuracy of equipment, maintaining quality test procedures and producing accurate reports

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Involved with maintaining clinical standards, evidence based practice within the speciality.
• Assist with clinical supervision and training of technical staff and other professionals, across disciplines.
• Measurement of routine spirometry with reversibility studies and FeNO
• Measurement of full lung function testing
• Perform blood gas analysis to assess patient’s respiratory status
• The issue and download of 24hour ambulatory blood pressure monitors, to patients that are being assessed for hypertension, or that may need their medication adjusting
• The setting up of and the issue of overnight sleep studies, to assess for conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea
• Prepare patients and assist more senior practitioners/physiologists with cardiopulmonary exercise testing on adult patients
• Assist in the oesophageal and ano-rectal laboratory, setting up equipment incorporating aseptic techniques in preparation for measurements, assisting during the procedure and cleaning all reusable equipment according to local protocols at the end of the procedure.
• To maintain and ensure the accuracy of all equipment databases (i.e. TIARA, AirView) used within the equipment maintenance room, including the preventative maintenance of equipment
• To troubleshoot equipment faults and, if required, to organise equipment repair in order to maintain an efficient service
• Deal with queries that come to the equipment maintenance room, within the scope of the role
• Oversee the quality assurance of the departments resus trolley and ordering of consumables
• To actively participate in the sharing of skills and experience associated with each specialty aiding the spread of good practice throughout the team
• Facilitate a culture of quality, continuous innovation, improvement and productivity within the specialty, through the process of continuing professional development (CPD)
• Ability to multi-task and cope with constant change and interruptions.
• Act accordingly when exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances when dealing directly with patients and/or their relative