Job responsibilities
1. Duties and Responsibilities
Technical
1. To be responsible for planning, performing and interpreting a wide range of neurophysiological investigations both routine and non-routine carried out within the departments, as well as portable/bedside recordings, ensuring that high technical and professional standards are maintained at all times.
2. To obtain and optimise collection of patient data throughout the testing period to enable accurate and efficient interpretative analysis of tests. To continually monitor, and take initiative and appropriate action where necessary.
3. To obtain a clinical history and modify the test accordingly.
4. To provide accurate factual reports in a timely manner in accordance with departmental policy.
5. To supervise on-going recordings obtained by junior physiologists, where applicable, ensuring that technical and professional standards are maintained.
6. To advise referring clinicians on investigation requirements and make suggestions on adaptation of appropriate techniques.
7. To provide an interpretive analysis of clinical data along with and/or in the absence of the Consultant Clinical Neurophysiologist.
8. To educate, teach and train medical and non- medical staff throughout the Trust and present information at scientific meetings.
9. To liaise with equipment manufacturers over faults or problems with equipment, databases or software used in any part of the service and ensure that all members of staff are informed and trained to deal with changes in operating procedures.
10. To promote the comfort, well being and dignity of patients being investigated keeping accompanying persons aware, as appropriate, of the test requirements for successful investigation and of the logistics of the subsequent return of the patient to home or ward.
11. To identify patients physical, social and psychological needs in collaboration with ward and departmental based staff.
Quality
1. To attend Consultants reporting sessions as required and ensure that the technical and clinical input to the session supports the consultant diagnosis and report.
2. To attend Trust and regional audit meetings, and support the ongoing development of audit into Neurophysiology best practice. Also attend regular neurophysiology meetings involving physiologists, clinicians and support staff.
3. To regularly attend educational and scientific meetings, and feedback to other team members.
4. Ensure personal compliance with regards to mandatory, professional, and personal development according to service needs.
5. To maintain quality control procedures as directed by departmental policy including regular machine verification.
6. To develop and maintain unified quality standards for the service across the Trust.
7. To respond to any complaints, inform the business manager and assist in the response to these as required.
8. Where possible, rectify faults detected in equipment and arrange for repairs to be carried out.
9. To liaise with doctors, nursing and ancillary staff to promote the smooth running of the Department and to achieve good communication between all members of the team.
10. To work within agreed policies and protocols of the Trust and professional body.
11. To contribute to the implementation of the Trust and Directorate framework for clinical governance, including performing audits and setting of standards for the speciality and the Trust, thereby monitoring, maintaining and improving a quality service.
12. Ensure safe working practices and a safe environment for the delivery of the service.
13. Undertake responsibility for the efficient and effective use of financial resources.
Management and Training
1. To deputise and manage and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Department in the absence of the service manager.
2. Teach, supervise and support the junior technical staff within the Department.
3. Teach medical and non-medical staff within the Trust as and when required.
4. To liaise with secretarial and clerical staff in arranging appointments for Clinical Neurophysiology as appropriate.
5. To assist in the preparation of appropriate and accurate statistical information and audit for the Department as required.
6. Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained.
7. Ensure that the Trusts Equal Opportunities policy is adhered to by all staff, contractors and outside agencies while in the department.
8. To ensure accurate logging and filing of data from neurophysiological investigations and be responsible for its availability and retrieval.
Research and Development
1. To actively participate in research, clinical trials and publications undertaken by the Department and collaborate with other departments within the Trust when necessary.
2. To liaise with the service manager and consultant(s) to introduce new technology and methods that will benefit the Department and the Trust.
The following statement forms part of all job descriptions:-
The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated including:
Confidentiality / Data Protection / Freedom of Information
Post holders must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. Post holders must not, without prior permission, disclose any information regarding patients or staff. If any member of staff has communicated any such information to an unauthorised person those staff will be liable to dismissal. Moreover, the Data Protection Act 1998 also renders an individual liable for prosecution in the event of unauthorised disclosure of information.
Following the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2005, post holders must apply the Trusts FOI procedure if they receive a written request for information.
Information Governance
All staff must comply with information governance requirements. These includes statutory responsibilities (such as compliance with the Data Protection Act), following national guidance (such as the NHS Confidentiality Code of Practice) and compliance with local policies and procedures (such as the Trust's Confidentiality policy). Staff are responsible for any personal information (belonging to staff or patients) that they access and must ensure it is stored, processed and forwarded in a secure and appropriate manner.
Equal Opportunities
Post holders must at all times fulfil their responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunities Policy and equality laws.
Health and Safety
All post holders have a responsibility, under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and subsequently published regulations, to ensure that the Trusts health and safety policies and procedures are complied with to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.
Infection Control
All post holders have a personal obligation to act to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They must attend mandatory training in Infection Control and be compliant with all measures required by the Trust to reduce HCAIs. All post holders must comply with Trust infection screening and immunisation policies as well as be familiar with the Trusts Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as Hand Decontamination Policy, Personal Protective Equipment Policy, safe procedures for using aseptic techniques and safe disposal of sharps.
Risk Management
All post holders have a responsibility to report risks such as clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly. They are expected to be familiar with the Trusts use of risk assessments to predict and control risk, as well as the incident reporting system for learning from mistakes and near misses in order to improve services. Post holders must also attend training identified by their manager, or stated by the Trust to be mandatory.
Flexible Working
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults
Post holders have a general responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in the course of their daily duties and for ensuring that they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
Sustainability
It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Trusts environmental impact by recycling wherever possible, switching off lights, computers monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage and reporting faults promptly.
Smoking Policy
It is the Trusts policy to promote health. Smoking, therefore, is actively discouraged. It is illegal within Trust buildings and vehicles.
Review of this Job Description
This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation. To be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder.
Initials and date of Preparation
