Sleep Physiologist

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Sleep Physiologist to join our team at Sleep Disorder Centre and assist in the delivery of sleep diagnostic and treatments service.

Are you a recent graduate in respiratory physiology or with relevant healthcare degree? We are looking to recruit into Band 5 Sleep Physiologist post.

For this role, it expected that you work well as part of a team and be open to flexible working patterns including night shifts.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work with a multi-disciplinary team of physiologists, technicians, consultants and pharmacists as well as with an in-house administrative/booking team.

The post holder will carry out unsupervised overnight full and limited respiratory polysomnography on patients with a range of sleep disorders including sleep disordered breathing, REM and non-REM parasomnias, sleep movement disorders and secondary sleep disorders occurring in the context of various neurological and general medical diseases. Analyse the data and prepare detailed reports. Provide a range of additional physiological tests, analyse data and report findings. Liaise with consultants regarding diagnosis and treatment plans.

The post holder will establish patients on CPAP on overnight set-ups, titrating therapy as appropriate based on the results of physiological measurements and patient feedback. Therefore, the post holder will be required to work shifts including night duties.

Additional duties include maintaining stock and equipment levels, providing technical advice and follow-up service for patients either face to face or by telephone, maintaining accurate patient notes and databases at all times and participating in departmental research/ audit.

About us

Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.

A centre of excellence, with an international reputation for pioneering advanced techniques and treatments. Everything we do is informed by our passion for providing the highest quality care and the best clinical outcomes.

At QVH we are proud of our achievements and our specialist services continue to record excellent clinical outcomes for patients. We regularly receive excellent results from patient satisfaction surveys and on average 98% of inpatients say they would recommend the hospital to their family or friends.

Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Use and maintain a range of technologies to carry out physiological measurements and assessments, including overnight polysomnography, transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring (TOSCA), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), home oximetry, respiratory polygraphy, WatchPAT, actigraphy, ECG and lung function studies. Perform independent analysis, interpretation and reporting of sleep studies once competencies have been achieved including respiratory polysomnography studies, WatchPAT and overnight oximetry.

Application of electrodes and sensors for overnight and daytime recording of full polysomnography studies and perform signal bio-calibration prior to each study.

Be able to independently prepare home oximetry, WatchPAT, actigraphy and respiratory polygraphy studies.

Take arterialised capillary blood samples from the earlobe and analyse blood gas tensions. To liaise with medical team regarding clinical management of the patient.

Assess and review patients in outpatient clinics giving advice on sleep hygiene, CPAP and lifestyle changes. Formulate and deliver treatment plans, monitor compliance and record efficacy. Support and action the set-up of new CPAP devices and support the implementation of treatment plans and ongoing monitoring of CPAP treatment. Assist consultants during outpatient clinics by providing CPAP advice and support and retrieving compliance data.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Experience performing physiological tests on a variety of different populations

Desirable

Clinical experience in sleep or respiratory departments Previous experience of delivering front -line patient care with NHS or other healthcare provider

Qualifications

Essential

Graduate in Respiratory Physiology or relevant healthcare science degree or able to demonstrate specialist knowledge within this field through practical experience

Desirable

Registered Clinical physiologist or healthcare scientist

Knowledge

Essential

Good theoretical knolodge of a broad range of fundamental respiratory/ sleep investigations

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