Job summary
The post holder will be initially at preceptorship level until competencies are assessed and signed off. Thereafter, an independent fully rotational member of the cardiac physiology team, providing basic cardiac physiology services for a range of non-complex tests in all aspects of cardiac services.
Cardiac services will include the following:
- Performing resting ECGs, Holter fitting, Holter analysis, physiology-led ETT, implant and monitoring of ILR's, assisting with Dobutamine stress testing, e-Bike and TOE.
- Invasive technical expertise will be expected in the catheter laboratories for coronary intervention, assisting in PCI, TPW and pacemaker implants.
- Working towards and supporting the primary PCI service (when fully competent participate in 24/7 on-call rota).
Main duties of the job
Daily expectations from the post holder will include the following:
- The patient is at the centre of all their decision making processes, conforming to the NHS constitution pledges.
- Performing routine clinical physiological tests on patients with either direct/indirect supervision.
- Communicate and work with a multi-disciplinary professional team.
- Provide factual reports for all routine physiological investigations
- Contribute to basic educational needs of the cardiology team, delivering training and signing off of PTPs, and cardiac STP program (year 1 and 2)
Opportunity for future development into specialised roles:
- Providing technical expertise in non-complex pacemaker implants.
- Assisting in pacemaker/ CRM follow-up clinics.
- Basic training in the echo service.
- Work towards SCST diploma
Uphold Trusts Care Values
- Compassionate
- Aspirational
- Resourceful
- Excellent
About us
About us
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we have a rich history for providing healthcare to the people of Reading, West Berkshire and South Oxfordshire stretching back over 180 years. We are always looking ahead to the challenges of the future and the health and wellbeing of the people we use serve. We were rated 'Good' by the CQC.
Our vision is "Working together to provide outstanding care for our community".
Some of the benefits of joining our team:
Flexible working opportunities and a strong emphasis on work-life balance
Annual Leave- 27 days for new starters, plus bank holidays. Increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10years NHS service. Pro rata for part time staff
Excellent learning and development opportunities
Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave for eligible staff
Confidential telephone care service providing independent support and advice for staff
New Oasis Staff Health and Wellbeing Centre
Job description
Job responsibilities
Principal Responsibilities
Actively participate in a broad range of service provision following a period of training and assessment. Maintain discipline and standards of technical competency in the provision of invasive and non-invasive investigative services within the department, in accordance to national and local guideline. Candidate will be completing a preceptorship year and will complete a competency logbook alongside their training.
Uphold trust care values- located on trust intranet
Clinical Responsibilities
- Assesses the needs of patients/families and carers; plans, delivers and evaluates high standards of evidenced based practice. Demonstrates concise, accurate, timely record keeping, including both written and electronic records. Displays excellent analytical ability and sound decision making in changing clinical situations.
- Practices in accordance with the Society of Cardiological Science and Technology Code of Conduct. Is accountable for own practice and for appropriate delegation of responsibilities he/she delegates to colleagues.
- Recognises clinically significant deterioration of patients, or significant abnormalities in diagnostic investigations, in patients undergoing procedures under their supervision. Takes timely action, appropriately escalating to Cardiology team or working with other agencies as required.
- Recognises, responds to and appropriately manages emergency situations, such as cardiac/cardio-pulmonary arrest or other life threatening scenarios.
- Develops competences and practices relevant clinical skills required to deliver care to the patient/client group e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, as required
- Actively participate in a range of clinical service areas to include 12 lead ECG, ambulatory monitoring, exercise tolerance testing, cardiac angiography and assist in echocardiography and cardiac rhythm management
- To perform and supervise the recording of electrocardiograms for both adult and paediatric patients. This may include the notification to medical staff of any medically urgent results
- To fit & remove Ambulatory Holter monitoring, BP and PADs. This will include the explanation of the use and care of the equipment to the patients, and dealing with any queries that this may raise, this includes the accurate reporting of urgent results to medical teams as appropriate.
- The analysis of Holter recordings using Spacelabs sentinel 11 information systems and the accurate reporting of any results that may require urgent medical review.
- To fit R-Test for stroke team - This will include the explanation of the use and care of the equipment to the patients, dealing with any queries that this may raise and to perform accurate analysis of R-Test
- Work with Respiratory department a dual partnership helping with CPET testing.
- Work towards performing exercise stress tests ETT as the lead cardiac physiologists, responsible for running exercise stress tests with support from the senior physiologist if required. This would include the preparation, and the explanation of the procedure to the patients. The practitioner is also expected to obtain relevant clinical information from the patient to ensure that the procedure is safe and relevant. Practitioner is expected to be able to offer reassurance and be able to respond to the patients concerns and queries as appropriate. The practitioner would be expected to deal with any outcome during or after the test, this could include resuscitation or seeking expert medical help in the presence of any other life threatening event.
- To provide technical support during routine cardiac catheterization. This would include performing left heart catheters, performing right heart catheters, perform blood gas analysis as required for RHC, elective PCI & complex cases such as IVUS / OCT, Rotablations and assist senior physiologist with BAV procedures. Participate in Cath Lab user group meetings held every 3 months.
- Responsible for the technical set up of the cases to include the check of the resuscitation trolley, to assist with set up & maintenance of IABP as required, assist with resuscitation & temporary pacing as required.
- Participate in PPCI within working hours and working towards 24/7 out of hours PPCI on call service as part progression to band 6.
- To assist cardiac physiologist led pacemaker clinics and brady pacemaker implants progressing to perform with decrementing supervision - will include the interrogation of brady devices and ILR, performing full checks & reprogramming of device therapy, post implant pacing checks, counselling of patients & planning patient follow up. A clear understanding of implants, device selection, implants programming, testing and implant admin. Participate in CRM/Device MDT / meeting held each month Senior BHRS physiologists are always on hand for support, guidance and training needs.
- Assist with TOE, Dobutamine stress echo, E-Bikes and valve clinics. Developing practical skills in acquiring basic echo views, developing a basic understanding of pathologies seen on echo, and clinical context. Participate in Echo MDT / meeting held each week. Senior BSE physiologists are always on hand for support, guidance and training needs.
- Responsibility for the patient during and whilst in the department, this may include pushing and wheeling around of wheelchairs, oxygen cylinders and beds.
- Organise allocated work to meet requirements of patient appointments and clinical priority of procedures.
- To keep all patient information systems updated, this would include Spacelabs sentinel, Cerner EPR, Change health and any other cardiology database as required. Ensure that all cardiology database information is recorded and entered appropriately.
- Assist in the introduction and evaluation of new equipment and technology.
- Assist in the maintenance of stock by liaison with other staff.
- Recognise technical and equipment faults and take necessary action.
Managerial
- Manages own workload, co-ordinating and prioritising the care he/she delivers. Recognises his/her limitations and escalates to more senior staff if needed.
- Works as an effective team member. Actively promote excellent team and interdisciplinary relationships.
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and non-verbal. Establish and maintain effective communication with individuals/groups about difficult or complex issues. Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and ability to challenge others when the rights of patients or others may be infringed.
- Works with team to maintain high standards of cleanliness in the clinical area and an optimum, well maintained Ward/Department environment.
- Actively promotes diversity, including race diversity, both in the delivery of the Care groups services and in management and development of staff within the clinical area. Assists the Ward/Department Manager to sustain relationships that promote dignity, rights and responsibilities. Identify and take action to address discrimination and oppression.
- Ensure own practice complies with Data Protection/Confidentiality/Caldecott principles.
- Take responsibility for safeguarding and compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Teaching and Training
- Assists in the effective induction, mentorship, teaching, support and development of new staff, apprentices, students (PTP and STP), and colleagues.
- Assists in the promotion/development and maintenance of a culture within the clinical environment, which challenges and questions practice and promotes the quality of thinking amongst practitioners.
- Comply with national guidelines such as SCST, BHRS, BSE as well as local clinical guidelines- Royal Berkshire Hospital Cardiac Physiology standards of practice.
- Attend and participate in departmental, MDT and team meetings.
- Contribute to departmental audits and the subsequent implementation of action plans.
- Provides patients, families and carers with relevant teaching and health promotion.
Role responsibilities
- Acts with integrity to uphold the reputation of Healthcare Science profession and the Trust. Deliver care with compassion, sensitivity and empathy.
- Participates in Clinical Governance to maintain and improve standards of patient care. Works as a role model in placing the patients experience at the core of service delivery. Assist in the monitoring and auditing of the quality of care through a range of strategies, including risk management, incident reporting, complaints, research and effectiveness monitoring and clinical audit. Ensure own actions promote quality and alert others to quality issues. Contributes to the development of the service.
- Demonstrates commitment to the vision and objectives of the clinical area and the Trust. Work with Cardiology Outpatients Manager and Clinical service Leads to effectively manage the allocated financial and human resources within allocated budget. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of ensuring effective skill-mix and appropriate caseload management at all times.
- Assists in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. Assists in the identification and assessment risks in work activities. Help to develop strategies to manage these effectively. Work within risk management/Occupational Health legislation and Trust procedures and ensure that colleague for whom the post-holder is responsible works within the same.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Principal Responsibilities
Actively participate in a broad range of service provision following a period of training and assessment. Maintain discipline and standards of technical competency in the provision of invasive and non-invasive investigative services within the department, in accordance to national and local guideline. Candidate will be completing a preceptorship year and will complete a competency logbook alongside their training.
Uphold trust care values- located on trust intranet
Clinical Responsibilities
- Assesses the needs of patients/families and carers; plans, delivers and evaluates high standards of evidenced based practice. Demonstrates concise, accurate, timely record keeping, including both written and electronic records. Displays excellent analytical ability and sound decision making in changing clinical situations.
- Practices in accordance with the Society of Cardiological Science and Technology Code of Conduct. Is accountable for own practice and for appropriate delegation of responsibilities he/she delegates to colleagues.
- Recognises clinically significant deterioration of patients, or significant abnormalities in diagnostic investigations, in patients undergoing procedures under their supervision. Takes timely action, appropriately escalating to Cardiology team or working with other agencies as required.
- Recognises, responds to and appropriately manages emergency situations, such as cardiac/cardio-pulmonary arrest or other life threatening scenarios.
- Develops competences and practices relevant clinical skills required to deliver care to the patient/client group e.g. venepuncture, cannulation, as required
- Actively participate in a range of clinical service areas to include 12 lead ECG, ambulatory monitoring, exercise tolerance testing, cardiac angiography and assist in echocardiography and cardiac rhythm management
- To perform and supervise the recording of electrocardiograms for both adult and paediatric patients. This may include the notification to medical staff of any medically urgent results
- To fit & remove Ambulatory Holter monitoring, BP and PADs. This will include the explanation of the use and care of the equipment to the patients, and dealing with any queries that this may raise, this includes the accurate reporting of urgent results to medical teams as appropriate.
- The analysis of Holter recordings using Spacelabs sentinel 11 information systems and the accurate reporting of any results that may require urgent medical review.
- To fit R-Test for stroke team - This will include the explanation of the use and care of the equipment to the patients, dealing with any queries that this may raise and to perform accurate analysis of R-Test
- Work with Respiratory department a dual partnership helping with CPET testing.
- Work towards performing exercise stress tests ETT as the lead cardiac physiologists, responsible for running exercise stress tests with support from the senior physiologist if required. This would include the preparation, and the explanation of the procedure to the patients. The practitioner is also expected to obtain relevant clinical information from the patient to ensure that the procedure is safe and relevant. Practitioner is expected to be able to offer reassurance and be able to respond to the patients concerns and queries as appropriate. The practitioner would be expected to deal with any outcome during or after the test, this could include resuscitation or seeking expert medical help in the presence of any other life threatening event.
- To provide technical support during routine cardiac catheterization. This would include performing left heart catheters, performing right heart catheters, perform blood gas analysis as required for RHC, elective PCI & complex cases such as IVUS / OCT, Rotablations and assist senior physiologist with BAV procedures. Participate in Cath Lab user group meetings held every 3 months.
- Responsible for the technical set up of the cases to include the check of the resuscitation trolley, to assist with set up & maintenance of IABP as required, assist with resuscitation & temporary pacing as required.
- Participate in PPCI within working hours and working towards 24/7 out of hours PPCI on call service as part progression to band 6.
- To assist cardiac physiologist led pacemaker clinics and brady pacemaker implants progressing to perform with decrementing supervision - will include the interrogation of brady devices and ILR, performing full checks & reprogramming of device therapy, post implant pacing checks, counselling of patients & planning patient follow up. A clear understanding of implants, device selection, implants programming, testing and implant admin. Participate in CRM/Device MDT / meeting held each month Senior BHRS physiologists are always on hand for support, guidance and training needs.
- Assist with TOE, Dobutamine stress echo, E-Bikes and valve clinics. Developing practical skills in acquiring basic echo views, developing a basic understanding of pathologies seen on echo, and clinical context. Participate in Echo MDT / meeting held each week. Senior BSE physiologists are always on hand for support, guidance and training needs.
- Responsibility for the patient during and whilst in the department, this may include pushing and wheeling around of wheelchairs, oxygen cylinders and beds.
- Organise allocated work to meet requirements of patient appointments and clinical priority of procedures.
- To keep all patient information systems updated, this would include Spacelabs sentinel, Cerner EPR, Change health and any other cardiology database as required. Ensure that all cardiology database information is recorded and entered appropriately.
- Assist in the introduction and evaluation of new equipment and technology.
- Assist in the maintenance of stock by liaison with other staff.
- Recognise technical and equipment faults and take necessary action.
Managerial
- Manages own workload, co-ordinating and prioritising the care he/she delivers. Recognises his/her limitations and escalates to more senior staff if needed.
- Works as an effective team member. Actively promote excellent team and interdisciplinary relationships.
- Demonstrates excellent communication skills, including written, verbal and non-verbal. Establish and maintain effective communication with individuals/groups about difficult or complex issues. Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and ability to challenge others when the rights of patients or others may be infringed.
- Works with team to maintain high standards of cleanliness in the clinical area and an optimum, well maintained Ward/Department environment.
- Actively promotes diversity, including race diversity, both in the delivery of the Care groups services and in management and development of staff within the clinical area. Assists the Ward/Department Manager to sustain relationships that promote dignity, rights and responsibilities. Identify and take action to address discrimination and oppression.
- Ensure own practice complies with Data Protection/Confidentiality/Caldecott principles.
- Take responsibility for safeguarding and compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Teaching and Training
- Assists in the effective induction, mentorship, teaching, support and development of new staff, apprentices, students (PTP and STP), and colleagues.
- Assists in the promotion/development and maintenance of a culture within the clinical environment, which challenges and questions practice and promotes the quality of thinking amongst practitioners.
- Comply with national guidelines such as SCST, BHRS, BSE as well as local clinical guidelines- Royal Berkshire Hospital Cardiac Physiology standards of practice.
- Attend and participate in departmental, MDT and team meetings.
- Contribute to departmental audits and the subsequent implementation of action plans.
- Provides patients, families and carers with relevant teaching and health promotion.
Role responsibilities
- Acts with integrity to uphold the reputation of Healthcare Science profession and the Trust. Deliver care with compassion, sensitivity and empathy.
- Participates in Clinical Governance to maintain and improve standards of patient care. Works as a role model in placing the patients experience at the core of service delivery. Assist in the monitoring and auditing of the quality of care through a range of strategies, including risk management, incident reporting, complaints, research and effectiveness monitoring and clinical audit. Ensure own actions promote quality and alert others to quality issues. Contributes to the development of the service.
- Demonstrates commitment to the vision and objectives of the clinical area and the Trust. Work with Cardiology Outpatients Manager and Clinical service Leads to effectively manage the allocated financial and human resources within allocated budget. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of ensuring effective skill-mix and appropriate caseload management at all times.
- Assists in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. Assists in the identification and assessment risks in work activities. Help to develop strategies to manage these effectively. Work within risk management/Occupational Health legislation and Trust procedures and ensure that colleague for whom the post-holder is responsible works within the same.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience working at band 4
- Experience in Holter analysis
Desirable
Education
Essential
- BSc Healthcare Science
- SCST certificate
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience working at band 4
- Experience in Holter analysis
Desirable
Education
Essential
- BSc Healthcare Science
- SCST certificate
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
