Trainee Clinical Physiologist

Job overview

Harefield hospital is part of the Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and offers world-leading expertise and research in heart and lung disease.

An opportunity has arisen to join a team of Clinical Physiologists in the Respiratory Physiology Department, (encompassing Lung Function, Sleep and Non-invasive ventilation (NIV)) at Harefield Hospital. The successful applicant will receive training to carry out a wide range of physiological investigations including pulmonary function tests, exercise tests and diagnostic sleep studies on respiratory, cardiac and transplant patients. Additionally, the department is also responsible for providing treatment and aftercare for sleep disordered breathing & NIV.

Main duties of the job

The role involves performing lung function tests, patients performing a range of breathing manoeuvres through a mouthpiece. Downloading and analysing data from diagnostic sleep study equipment. Preparing the devices for collection by patients. Fitting patients with appropriate masks to administer CPAP and BiPAP NIV and explaining & coaching the patients with using these forms of therapy. The role also involves using a range of software platforms for both the tests and electronic patient records (EPR) & booking system, EPIC, for which full training will also be provided. The successful candidate will therefore also need to be computer literate with basic windows packages such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job summary          The postholder will become competent in the procedures listed under physiological tests, with the appropriate supervision to be given.    The postholder will become competent in obtaining accurate and informative results from patients and any other subjects performing the tests.    To demonstrate care and respect, for both patients and fellow staff members.   Main tasks and responsibilities

• Communication  The postholder will become competent in supervising and encouraging patients during their time in the department and deal with any queries or problems in a suitable manner. When appropriate, discuss results with patients using discretion, awareness of patient confidentiality and cross any barriers to understanding.
• To communicate effectively with department colleagues and other members of the trust in all aspects of patient care and respiratory physiology.Patient/Client Care (both direct and indirect)
• The postholder will become competent in performing the procedures listed under physiological tests, with appropriate supervision.
• The postholder will become competent in performing all relevant quality control procedures within the department including the performance of personal biological control procedures.
• The postholder will become competent in maintaining and repairing departmental equipment in conjunction with more senior staff.
• The postholder will become competent in sterilizing and disinfecting all departmental equipment if and when necessary.
• To take personal responsibility for compliance with all Trust and Departmental infection control policies and procedures. See Trust policies and Departmental local health and safety rules.
• To perform general administrative duties including lunch time cover for the departmental secretary / receptionist

Physiological Tests

• Spirometry
• Flow volume loops
• Lung volume measurements using Nitrogen washout technique
• Relaxed Vital Capacity
• Gas transfer measurements
• Lung volume measurements using body plethysmography
• Airways resistance measurements using the body plethysmograph
• Supine Spirometry
• MIPS & MEPS
• FENO (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide)
• 6 Minute Walk Test
• Histamine / PC20 studies
• Hyperventilation studies
• Bronchodilation tests
• Diagnostic Sleep Studies e.g. Simple Polysomnography & overnight Pulse Oximetry. Measuring varying parameters
• Home Titration Studies
• CPAP Servicing and Set Up
• Transcutaneous PCO2 Monitoring
• Actigraphy Studies
• Fitness to fly/Altitude tests.
• Any other tests as deemed necessary by the Lead Clinical Physiologists.

Policy Development

• To implement the trust policies and protocols within the department.

Service Development

• The postholder will become competent in implementing existing departmental procedures ensuring accurate data is obtained in an environment with the best possible patient care.

Resource Management

• The postholder will become competent in safe use of complex equipment involving reporting of faults, routine maintenance and monitoring of stock levels.

People Management

• To aim to complete objectives set during appraisal.
• Involvement in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and attendance at relevant internal/external courses, seminars, lectures etc in which appropriate information can be gained relating to physiological, scientific and medical matters.

Information Management

• To ensure all patient data is stored in a suitable manner.