Deputy Sleep Physiology and Educational Lead

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Perform holistic assessments of patients needs, plan, implement, and evaluate care delivery with reference to changing respiratory healthcare needs in a hospital setting.

Provide highly specialist advice to medical staff and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) regarding the treatment and management of patients with complex sleep apnoea.

Use and maintain a range of technologies to carry out physiological measurements and assessments, including overnight polysomnography (full and limited cardio-respiratory studies), home oximetry, actigraphy, transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO) monitoring, Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), full lung function testing, and arterial blood gas analysis.

Apply sensors and electrodes for overnight and daytime sleep studies, including limited respiratory PSG, MSLT, and full PSG with electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), and electromyogram (EMG), using both standard sleep staging and extended 10/20 montages.

Perform bio-calibration of signals prior to each study and verify data quality.

Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and ensure data integrity.

Analyse and score cardio-respiratory, EMG, and EEG events; stage sleep on PSG recordings; and discuss findings with Consultants to aid diagnosis and treatment planning.

Produce detailed reports summarising data and results.

Conduct clinical interviews, offer treatment plans and advice, and provide reassurance.

Initiate patients on CPAP or NIV therapy, determine appropriate equipment settings, and select suitable masks.

Write clear, comprehensive letters to General Practitioners and update patient records and electronic systems accordingly.

Conduct outpatient clinics to review patients on CPAP and NIV therapy, adjusting treatment plans as needed.

Advise on sleep hygiene and lifestyle modifications.

Formulate and monitor treatment plans, record compliance and efficacy.

Manage complex patients requiring tailored interventions.

Maintain and enhance professional competencies in sleep diagnostics and therapy.

Support data archiving and ensure safe storage of clinical data.

Assist with the procurement and commissioning of specialist equipment, in collaboration with clinicians and the Sleep Physiology Team Leader.

Professional Responsibilities

Assist and deputise for the Lead Clinical Physiologist/Department Manager.

Line manage the physiology and technologist team, including rota management, appraisals, performance reviews, and staff induction.

Provide expert input on the procurement of medical and IT equipment.

Review and update clinical protocols with the Lead Clinical Physiologist.

Work collaboratively to identify service improvements, cost-saving measures, and efficiency strategies.

Ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures.

Oversee education and training within the team, including competency assessments and skill development.

Lead training sessions within the Sleep Disorder Centre.

Deliver presentations to staff or external groups, as required.

Engage in the appraisal process and commit to ongoing professional development.

Participate in research projects and clinical trials as directed.

Obtain informed consent from study participants and maintain accurate documentation.

Lead service improvement initiatives as directed by the management team.

Stay informed of departmental and Trust-wide objectives and strategies.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RCCP or ARTP registration
• Degree in clinical physiology or able to demonstrate specialist knowledge within this field through practical experience
• Registered polysomnographic technologist (RPSGT)

Desirable

• Registered Clinical physiologist or healthcare scientist

Experience

Essential

• Experience in managing a team
• Previous experience of delivering front-line patient care and highly specialist advice within the NHS or other healthcare provider

Desirable

• Experience in performing full and respiratory polysomnography (PSG), analysing results and producing reports
• Extensive experience and knowledge of sleep diagnostic and therapeutic equipment

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Queen Victoria Hospital

Holtye Road

East Grinstead

RH19 3DZ

Employer's website

https://www.qvh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)