Advanced Cardiac Physiologist

Job summary

We are looking to recruit 2 motivated and enthusiastic Advanced Cardiac Physiologists in Echocardiography. These posts would suit staff who are already band 7 physiologists, but would like a new challenge in a different environment. Working across two sites within the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, both Warwick Hospital and the new Stratford community hub, predominately based at the Stratford site.

You need to have already been working as a qualified cardiac physiologist with relevant experience and should have obtained the BSc or MSc in clinical physiology, or an equivalent qualification and have BSE accreditation. Consideration will be given to experienced band 6 with BSE accreditation, starting at a band 6 and elevating to a band 7 on completion of a 6-8 months' probation to prove full independent working.

This is an exciting time to join our team, as we are expanding and improving our services. This post provides an excellent opportunity for enthusiastic and experienced cardiac physiologists to join our service, providing TTE, TOE, Stress Echo and looking to develop more specialist clinics and departmental accreditation.

We have weekly review and teaching meetings attended by one or more consultants, registrars, cardiac physiologists and junior staff. All physiologists are encouraged to attend relevant course/meetings, as continued professional development is important to our team and post-graduate exams are actively encouraged.

Main duties of the job

A highly specialised independent practitioner able to undertake and report specialist physiological investigations on adult (minimal paediatric) patients in Echocardiography.

The role also involves supervision and training of junior members of the team, other internal staff on a daily basis. You are also expected to refresh and extend your clinical skills.

Working over South Warwickshire NHS foundation trust, predominantly Stratford community hub site.

About us

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Technical Duties

Perform and interpret routine cardiac investigations.

Perform specialised diagnostic investigations within invasive and non-invasive service.

Perform specialist advanced Echocardiography, including portable scans, provide highly specialist interpretation and clinical diagnosis, advising Clinicians as appropriate.

To assist Consultant Cardiologist in routine and complex procedures. Eg TOE, pericardiocentesis, bubble contrast and stress echo studies.

To assist and perform in 3D and TDI examinations as the service develops.

Respond and assist as appropriate in the event of cardiac/life threatening emergencies.

Training, Teaching and Research Responsibilities

Regular participation with MDT, cardiology research, performing clinical trials, audit and equipment testing.

Involvement with the training of junior team and other staff members.

Support in the training of internal and external students pursuing a career in Cardiology.

Commitment to continual professional development through self-directed learning as well as relevant courses and qualifications.

Develop areas of interest within the department.

Participate in the Trust appraisal process and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

Care for Patients and/or Service Users

Ensure all equipment is maintained and calibrated to provide accurate results and patient safety at all times, taking appropriate action to rectify any faults.

Interact with both patients and staff in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

Ensure that all Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Actively maintain a safe and clean working environment.

Work independently and as part of a team supporting patients, colleagues and other professionals in the delivery of care.

Every employee has a duty of care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that statutory and Trust regulations are complied with.

Planning and Organisation

Good planning and organisational skills of own and clinics daily work schedules, ensuring correct staff, equipment and stock control of consumables.

Communication

Good written and verbal communication skills with awareness of handling sensitive information.

Effective communication with the team in the department and all levels of personnel.

Effective communication with patients were there may be barriers to understanding.

General

Work in accordance with clinical governance, best evidence-based practice and national guidelines to meet targets and Trust strategy.

Be aware of continual risks and safe practices required through exposure to handling of body fluid/chemicals/radiation etc. and take appropriate action where necessary.

Be aware of the risk to patients and staff and maintain high standards of infection control practices in line with Trust policy.

Be aware of the risks involved and the safe processes required with the movement and handling of patients and equipment. Including the risks to self during periods when repetitive actions are required and take precautions to operate safe practices.

Be dextrous and co-ordinated in handling and manipulating delicate specialised equipment and accurate electrode placement.

Store/retrieve information for clinicians using the relevant software whilst retaining patient confidentiality.

Undertake department clerical duties.

Be prepared to participate in flexible working hours to accommodate changing trends in health care provision.

Comply with and work in accordance with Trust and Department policies and procedures.

To participate in appraisal and work to achieve agreed objectives.

To participate with the implementation of local policies and SOPs within the department.

To check and re-order stock as and when required.

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as a result of changing technology, clinical practices or expansion of services, as designated by the manager.

This job description is subject to review at any time in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Appropriate Science Degree (or equivalent) ILS (minimum) BTEC/HTEC (MPPM) or equivalent BSE adult accreditation Registered member on the Council of Clinical Physiologists ALS or equivalent Post grad studies in relevant field

Desirable

Teaching certificate/Assessors Award

Experience

Essential

Significant in Echo, including TOE, Bubble/Contrast studies High level of specialist knowledge in areas of non-invasive cardiology, equivalent to that of Master's level Knowledge across all aspects of Cardiology Advanced broad base of theoretical and practical specialist knowledge in cardiology Specialist knowledge in legislation for COSSH, RIDDOR, Health and Safety in invasive cardiology Proficient in teaching other grades of staff in all aspects of technical cardiology Proven experience in planning and organisation of staff training, meetings and conferences, and, if required, work-based assessor sessions Proficiency to assist as Lead role in Clinical Physiologist led exercising Able to lead the department in the absence of the Manager or Deputy Assistance in project management Coordinating agencies and other organisations

Desirable

Experience in Pericardiocentseis, Tdi, Tvi stress echo and 3D echo Performing appraisals

Skills

Essential

To interpret and make judgements on all tests which may alter a patient's treatment or management as an Independent Practitioner Ability to motivate and supervise staff Ability to make judgements on patients' welfare and compare a range of options which may include addition investigations, discontinuation of a test or admittance to hospital Ability to write clear test reports as an independent practitioner for routine and complex procedures To review and make judgements on test results that have been carried out by other members of staff Advanced skills in the provision of complex facts, analyses and interpretation Ability to prioritise all patient investigations Competence in preparation, calibration, and analysis of patients for procedures within the department Competently address issues raised by investigations Adaptable to varying working environments and conditions Ability to provide a range of complex facts, analysis and interpretation of all areas within the cardiology discipline To use advanced analytical and judgemental skills with regards to national and local policies Evidence of involvement in recent research and development Demonstration of leadership and negotiation skills with patients, carers, wards staff and other professions allied to medicine To prepare and tabulate data for presentation using Microsoft Excel and other relevant programmes/packages to the department on a monthly basis, if required Excellent word processing and IT skills Excellent planning, organisational and negotiation skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels in person and on the telephone

Other

Essential

Must be able to show flexibility, if required, in working hours Able to cross site work

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