King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Cardiac Physiologist - Non Invasive lead

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will be a physiologist specialist in all aspects of non-invasive cardiac diagnostics. In addition, there will be designated managerial responsibilities for the cardiac non-invasive diagnostics, cardiographers and junior staff; and a lead role in managing the escalation protocol for patients in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics and the results of grossly abnormal diagnostic tests.

This challenging role will be based primarily within cardiac non-invasive diagnostics (suite 6), undertaking and managing diagnostic physiologist duties and the staff working in this area for the majority of the time, whilst providing leadership to the junior physiology staff.

The post holder will be a specialist in the field of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and Head up Tilt Testing (HUTT), with expert knowledge of exercise physiology, cardiopulmonary pathologies, and analysis of respiratory gases, 12-lead ECG rhythm analysis, syncope and transient loss of consciousness (T-Loc).

Main duties of the job

KEY ROLES

Act as a physiologist lead within a multidisciplinary team delivering cardiac non-invasive diagnostic tests; and deliver expert care to patients undergoing diagnostic procedures.

Ensure that complex tests requiring a high level of reporting and diagnostic skills are carried out at the highest clinical and diagnostic level.

Responsible for the day to day running of the daily lists within the non-invasive cardiac department, actively contributing to the smooth running of a quality service to patients and to undertake additional managerial responsibilities as designated.

Line manage band 2 - 5 cardiographers and cardiac physiologists.

About us

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King's to another level.

Date posted

09 June 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£58,698 to £65,095 a year 15% RRP on Basic Salary

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

213-DH-6538

Job locations

Suite 6, Level 1, Golden Jubilee Wing, Denmark Hill

Brixton

SE5 9RS

Job description

Job responsibilities

Participate in a wide range of routine and advanced physiological investigations and procedures including ETT, CPET and HUTT; and

Act as a specialist in the field of non-invasive diagnostic testing.

Set local standards in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics in conjunction with the head of department; and to continually develop and update these to ensure they incorporate current professional recommendations and evidence based practice.

Appropriately triage referrals for non-invasive diagnostics in a timely manner.

Comply with national and international guidelines such as ESC, NICE, BHRS, HRS, EHRA, and SCST as well as local clinical guidelines; and ensure that these guidelines are adhered to.

Train and supervise junior cardiac physiologists and cardiographer staff in performing and interpreting ECG to SCST standards.

Train and supervise junior cardiac physiologists and cardiographer staff and help co-ordinate training within the non-invasive diagnostics.

Perform regular audits to ensure compliance with national standards and to guide training programmes within the department.

Help the educational Lead to develop and review local training programme for junior cardiac physiologists and to develop associated departmental training resources

Work with educational Lead to ensure all PTP student competencies and assessments are conducted and completed within a timely manner and adequate feedback is given to the students

Keep abreast of new developments in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics and to attend relevant courses and conferences.

Lead in the local development of physiology roles within the non-invasive area and the implementation of multiskilling and other innovative practices.

Administer appropriate medications; and complete relevant training and competencies as part of advanced clinical practice.

Identify training needs for staff, trainees and apprentices as well as patients and deliver teaching and training; and inform principal cardiac physiologists and lead for education, of the teaching/training given and further educational/practical needs identified.

Apply and promote evidence-based practice and use of relevant clinical protocols and procedures at the complex and advanced level; as well as acquire and maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all tests, investigations and measurements.

Interpret and act upon results of the tests, investigations and measurements in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.

To contribute positively to the leadership of the whole clinical physiologist staff group and the smooth running of the entire department.

Line manage the Cardiographers and the junior cardiac physiologists, ensuring that appraisals, annual leave, study leave and sick leave is managed and to escalate any staffing issues to the head of department.

Work with the administration team to ensure adequate bookings processes and monitor availability of appointments.

Monitor and manage triage processes and weekly waiting times for non-invasive diagnostics.

Coordinate servicing and maintenance of resuscitation equipment, the exercise testing system, CPET , HUTT and 24 hr ECG/BP systems and liaising with the Medical Equipment Management Service (MEMS) where appropriate.

Coordinate stock control and ordering of consumables for non-invasive diagnostics, ensuring efficiency and cost effectiveness of ordering systems and efficient use of consumables, keeping abreast of developments in technology and acting as a point of contact for company representatives.

With the support of the Principal Cardiac Physiologist, to take a lead in equipment purchases pertaining to the non-invasive suite, compiling equipment specifications and assisting with the preparation of capital bids.

Regularly attend meetings such as management, education etc. as appropriate.

Work with external bodies such as Kings Health Partners (KHP) and Operational Delivery Network (ODN) on developing future services as appropriate.

Participate actively in the yearly appraisal processes and personal development plan of all cardiographers, in close collaboration with the head of department.