Highly Specialised Cardiac Physiologist

Job responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities:

To deliver a comprehensive Echocardiography Service in accordance with current BSE guidelines with total autonomy that meets the needs of the Trust.

To provide a comprehensive and diagnostic report to aid and provide Medical staff with implementation of treatment.

To respond autonomously to unexpected clinical emergencies and technical situations, displaying efficient problem solving initiative.

The post holder will be competent at complex studies, valve and ACHD clinics and able to interpret and seek appropriate levels of support regarding any issues that may arise.

To ensure adequate monitoring of patients during Echocardiography.

To analyse and report Echocardiograms acting appropriately in the event of significant adverse findings. Perform additional measurements and calculations in non-standard views to exclude or reveal abnormalities.

To treat all patients with respect and understanding and ensure the comfort and satisfaction, as far as possible, of all patients attending or communicating with the Department.

To be responsible for ensuring the day-to-day care and quality assurance of any equipment used.

To have responsibility for providing letters/reports relating to Echocardiography in a timely and appropriate way.

To keep up to date with advances in Echocardiography and implement advances inservice provision as and when appropriate.

Must be able to independently plan and prioritise workload.

To ensure the area of work is clean, tidy and replenished with stock at the end of each clinical work session.

Communication & Administration:

To liaise with the Manager and Consultant Cardiologists to discuss operational issues and implement change as necessary.

To communicate with representatives from Medical companies on the development of new technology.

To communicate clinical information effectively to patients.

To have the necessary interpersonal skills to manage patient/relative contacts where there may be hostility (e.g. anxious, confused or aggressive patient), poor understanding (e.g. language, impaired vision or hearing)

To ensure that due respect is given to patient privacy and dignity at all times.

To ensure that due respect is given to cultural differences.

To attend meetings with the Head of Service and other colleagues to discuss departmental operational issues.

To ensure computerised data collection is up to date.

To ensure the accuracy and legibility of all data.

To ensure all copy report filing is up-to-date at the end of each session.

To ensure appropriate stock control by liaising with other members for the rotation and

replenishment of consumables relating to the Echocardiography Service.

Teaching & Training:

To be responsible for the teaching/training of department personnel, cardiology registrars and

trainee Health Scientists in Echocardiography as and when required, in accordance with the

National Standard (BSE).

Professional self-development.

To ensure professional development to maintain and enhance technical competency in line with current clinical practice and techniques.

To undertake additional training where appropriate to develop existing advanced skills and to enhance existing skills.

Management:

To understand basic budgetary matters and use of resources in a cost effective way under the direction of the department management team.

To liaise with the Administration and Performance Manager to ensure that administration staff make/rearrange appointments where appropriately and in line with Trust Procedures and waiting time targets.

To initiate and assist with research studies, audits and quality initiatives as appropriate.

To assist and support the Cardiology Manager with the collection departmental statistics.

To respond to patient and staff complaints in accordance with Trust protocol.

To attend meetings as directed and feedback information as appropriate

To assist with the process of formulating new policies and procedures relating to service provision and comply with Trust Policies and Procedures

Help to create and maintain positive working relationship within the team and other departments.

The post holder needs to ensure that patients are seen within the target waiting times specified by local and national guidelines.

Ensure the promotion of safety, well-being and interests of the patients, staff and visitors.

Be aware of the trust's policies and procedures and ensure that these are carried out.

The post holder is to participate fully in quality assurance initiatives with particular emphasis on 'Customer first approach'.

Be aware of the Trusts disciplinary and grievance procedures.

To uphold and maintain information security in line with the Northampton general hospital policy.

Professional:

To implement research based practice.

To maintain accurate and legible patient records and prepare reports as required.

To be responsible for maintaining high standards of care and to be an effective role model.

Be responsible for ensuring that reports and results processed by post holder are recorded/stored safely and accurately.

To take necessary actions to sustain and improve own knowledge and professional competence. Participate in Clinical Governance activities and wherever possible ensure practice is research based.

Provide leadership to junior staff within the Cardiology department. Support and facilitate members of the multidisciplinary team with their roles within the Department.

To communication with all groups of staff within the Cardiology department to ensure dissemination of information and maintain effective links with all other disciplines, wards and departments in the Trust

Promote ideas and suggestions for improvements in care for patients attending the department.

To be responsible participating in the daily checks of the resuscitation trolley.

To work in accordance with the National Service Framework and white papers.

To be actively involved in monitoring the quality of the service provided

Other Information:

The postholder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The postholder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day to day work and behaviours.

The postholder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day to day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The postholder will adhere to, at all times, any Professional, NHS Code of Conducts and legislation relevant for their area of work.

The postholder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

The postholder will be expected to work to any Corporate/Division/Directorate/Department objectives and standards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.

The postholder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to BSc in Clinical Physiology, or equivalent. RCCP, AHCS Registration or eligible and actively seeking registration level or equivalent level of education, training or experience.
• Current ILS certification.
• BSE accreditation.

Desirable

• Post graduate qualification and/or evidence of further development.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• An underpinned experience and knowledge of Echocardiography
• Ability to perform complex, highly specialised Echocardiograms and accurately interpret and present the resulting data in an appropriate format.
• Experience in handling investigation requests and determining priority.
• Able to assess and adapt to new techniques and technologies.
• Ability to assist with DSE's and TOE's.
• Experience within senior role, Band 6 or 7.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to follow established guidelines with autonomy.
• Able to communicate complex and sensitive information well and relate to the adult and paediatric patients and their families and, or carers.
• A sympathetic manner when relating to patients their families and, or carers. Able to multi-task and cope with constant change and interruptions.
• IT Literate with good computer skills, familiar with specialist software programs for Cardiac Investigations.
• Attendance at department meetings.

Desirable

• Ability to perform Paediatric Echo studies, desirable, but not essential.

Key Competencies, Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Flexible approach to work.
• Able to work alone and in a team.
• Innovative, Forward looking, Enthusiastic. Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good teamwork.
• Openness - Shares information and good practice appropriately.
• Able to work in emotional stressful conditions.
• A sensitive understanding of the patient needs.
• Mutual respect - Treats others with courtesy and respect at all time.
• Ability to perform Paediatric Echo studies, desirable, but not essential.
• Welcomes constructive criticism Maintains confidentiality.
• Capable of supervision, delegation and prioritisation.
• Confident to liaise with other staff groups such as consultant staff.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).