Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Trainee Respiratory Physiologist (Apprenticeship Level 6)

The closing date is 11 July 2025

Job summary

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) is a 1200 bed teaching hospital providing acute care for around one million people living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. It is the 6th largest Acute Trust in the UK.

The Respiratory Department has a team of 14 full time consultants, one academic professor and 2 nurse consultants. We provide expertise in sleep medicine, ventilation, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer/pleural medicine, interstitial lung disease and difficult asthma. The department has strong links with the UEA's Norwich Medical School and School of Health Sciences. We also have strong collaborative links with primary care as well as Research.

Norwich is a beautiful and historic city set within the picturesque Norfolk countryside. It has good links to London and is located close to the stunning North Norfolk coast.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Trainee Clinical Physiologist within the Respiratory department. We are looking for an enthusiastic and well-motivated individual to join our friendly and professional team. The service provides a large range of physiological studies including routine lung function tests, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, bronchoprovocation tests, bronchodilator studies and respiratory muscle strength.

The successful applicant will have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English and Science at Grade C /4 or above, plus UCAS points/college grades (please see job description for further details), and a desire to work in respiratory physiology. They will be trained to work independently and to a high professional standard to provide specialist clinical technical services performing both simple and complex investigations of lung function.

Starting Salary: Band 4 (with progression to Band 5 on completion). The post holder will be required to complete the Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship, with academic training provided by Sheffield Hallam University (3 year course). Upon successful completion of the practitioner degree, and gaining ARTP professional qualification, the post holder would then progress to Band 5 Clinic Physiologist.Continuous professional development is strongly encouraged and the successful candidate will be given opportunities and supported to develop their skills and knowledge.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
  • Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
  • Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
  • Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Details

Date posted

04 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

234-24-M2301

Job locations

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must be:

Aged 16+ Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above Must not be in any form of formal government-funded education upon the start of their apprenticeshipQualifications and Skills Required: Good general standard of education 4 GCSEs at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent) subject to the job specification Good standard of literacy and numeracy Good communication and interpersonal skills Good IT skills

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUHs PRIDE values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

  • To provide quality care and accurate diagnostic data.
  • To become competent to perform simple and complex lung function investigations to produce technically acceptable measurements of value in clinical decision-making that will be used in the patients subsequent management.
  • To produce factual reports and interpretation of simple and complex lung function measurements, including patient co-operation and technique, to provide the clinician with the fullest understanding of patient physiology.
  • To perform all relevant quality control procedures within the department including the performance of personal biological control procedures.
  • To become competent in maintaining and repairing departmental equipment in conjunction with more senior staff
  • To supervise and encourage patients during their time in the department and deal with any queries or problems in a suitable manner.
  • To communicate effectively with department colleagues and other members of the trust in all aspects of patient care and respiratory physiology.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must be:

Aged 16+ Resident in the UK/EEA for the last three consecutive years Must not have a qualification in a similar subject at the same level or above Must not be in any form of formal government-funded education upon the start of their apprenticeshipQualifications and Skills Required: Good general standard of education 4 GCSEs at Grade D/3 or above (or equivalent) subject to the job specification Good standard of literacy and numeracy Good communication and interpersonal skills Good IT skills

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate NNUHs PRIDE values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence and demonstrate behaviours that support and encourage an inclusive culture.

  • To provide quality care and accurate diagnostic data.
  • To become competent to perform simple and complex lung function investigations to produce technically acceptable measurements of value in clinical decision-making that will be used in the patients subsequent management.
  • To produce factual reports and interpretation of simple and complex lung function measurements, including patient co-operation and technique, to provide the clinician with the fullest understanding of patient physiology.
  • To perform all relevant quality control procedures within the department including the performance of personal biological control procedures.
  • To become competent in maintaining and repairing departmental equipment in conjunction with more senior staff
  • To supervise and encourage patients during their time in the department and deal with any queries or problems in a suitable manner.
  • To communicate effectively with department colleagues and other members of the trust in all aspects of patient care and respiratory physiology.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English and Science at Grade C /4 or above
  • 112 UCAS points from at least two A levels (including at least 32 points in Biology), or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (including suitable biology modules). We accept AS levels. General Studies will not be accepted.
  • 96 UCAS points from three A levels (including 32 points in Biology). General Studies will not be accepted.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma from a relevant Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education - recognised Access to Higher Education course, (mainly consisting of Biology and Chemistry related modules), or an equivalent Access to Higher Education certificate. Requirement normally 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 (with at least 15 level 3 credits graded at distinction level)
  • Successful completion of a level 3 Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship.

Experience

Desirable

  • Some experience of working in respiratory physiology

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
  • Flexible - able to multi-task and prioritise

Desirable

  • General understanding of lung function testing

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English and Science at Grade C /4 or above
  • 112 UCAS points from at least two A levels (including at least 32 points in Biology), or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (including suitable biology modules). We accept AS levels. General Studies will not be accepted.
  • 96 UCAS points from three A levels (including 32 points in Biology). General Studies will not be accepted.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma from a relevant Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education - recognised Access to Higher Education course, (mainly consisting of Biology and Chemistry related modules), or an equivalent Access to Higher Education certificate. Requirement normally 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 (with at least 15 level 3 credits graded at distinction level)
  • Successful completion of a level 3 Healthcare Science Assistant apprenticeship.

Experience

Desirable

  • Some experience of working in respiratory physiology

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication and inter-personal skills
  • Flexible - able to multi-task and prioritise

Desirable

  • General understanding of lung function testing

Attitude, aptitude

Essential

  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Employer's website

https://teamnnuh.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Respiratory Physiologist

Dawn Coates

Dawn-marie.coates@nnuh.nhs.uk

01603289633

Details

Date posted

04 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

234-24-M2301

Job locations

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Colney Lane

Norwich

NR4 7UY


Supporting documents

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