Job summary
Expected Shortlisting
Date
06/08/2025
Planned Interview
Date
01/09/2025
As
part of expanding diagnostic services, Leeds Teaching Hospitals is delighted
to offer two Band 4 Associate Practitioner positions within our dynamic and
friendly Healthcare Scientist team on a full-time basis, though part time
applications will be considered.
One
role will focus on invasive cardiology, while the other will specialise in
non-invasive cardiology.
This
is a varied and rewarding role, where youll work closely with our
experienced Cardiac Physiologists to support the delivery of advanced
diagnostic services, Monday-Friday, flexible hours may be available.
We
are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are team players but also
confident and capable in working independently in a clinical setting. If
youre passionate about delivering high-quality patient care, eager to
develop new skills, and motivated to grow within a fast-paced cardiac
diagnostics environment, wed love to hear from you.
You'll
play a key part in enhancing patient outcomes across Leeds General Infirmary,
St Jamess University Hospital, and occasionally our satellite sites.
To
be considered, applicants must have:
Strong, demonstrable knowledge of
ECG interpretation
Proven clinical competencies in
cardiac diagnostics
We
welcome informal visits and would be happy to discuss the roles in more
detail - lauren.lear@nhs.net or p.durkin1@nhs.net
Main duties of the job
The
successful candidates must have a strong foundation in ECG interpretation, as
this underpins all clinical activity. While full training will be provided,
you must be self-motivated and able to learn quickly in a fast-paced clinical
environment. You will join a department of over 130 people and work closely
with the existing Associate Practitioner team.
-
Invasive Role
This
role involves the analysis and reporting of implantable loop recorder and
AliveCor downloads, escalating significant findings and managing equipment
returns or patient listing for device explant. Youll also support procedures
in the cardiac catheter labs, working alongside healthcare scientists during
cardiac ablations and device implantations.
-
Non-Invasive Role
This
role focuses on analysing ambulatory ECG recordings and producing clinical
reports, with escalation of relevant findings to the wider team. Youll also
assist in cardiopulmonary exercise testing, spirometry, tilt testing, and
support the ECG team with more complex investigations.
Youll
be part of a supportive and experienced team delivering high-quality,
patient-centred diagnostics. We encourage independent practice with strong
support networks in place. Regular departmental governance and audit meetings
provide ongoing learning and updates on service developments, protocols, and
quality improvement initiatives.
About us
Come
and join our team in Leeds and become part of The Leeds Way sharing our
vision and values. Our Trust is recognised for our staff engagement, great
care and rated GOOD by the Care Quality Commission.
The
Cardio-Respiratory Clinical Service Unit (CSU) is committed to fostering a
fair, supportive, and inclusive environment, with compassionate and dedicated
teams who embody The Leeds Way values. These values are a core part of our
identity and set us apart from other trusts they are both our strength and
our responsibility.
Developed
by our staff, The Leeds Way values reflect what truly matters in how we work
together and care for our patients. They guide our culture, shape our
behaviours, and drive our commitment to excellence: Collaborative, Fair,
Accountable, Empowered and Patient Centred.
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
Duties
Carries out all aspects of clinical
and administration work as approved by their line manager, working within
established codes of practice and local departmental standard operating
procedures.
To be professionally and legally
accountable for all aspect of own work, including the management of patients
in your care and dealing with their specific needs.
Routinely undertakes assessment of
both in-patients and out-patients prior to a range of investigations and uses
own discretion in order to ensure the patient is suitable for the
investigation.
Communicates with all members of
the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible care for patients,
including: negotiating, reassurance, empathy, and persuasiveness.
Communicates sensitive information
about routine and complex investigations to patients and relatives/carers
including children and those with learning and/or physical disabilities.
Calibrates and manipulates a wide
range of complex, expensive, technical equipment which process, create,
update and store information. Identifies any automatically generated reports
that are false and or inaccurate, escalating any errors to the appropriate
member of LTHT staff.
Performs / provides factual reports
on a number of investigations on a region-wide range of patients including
acutely ill paediatric and elderly patients and those with a range of
physical and learning disabilities.
Clinical investigations would be
dependent on the applicants skill set and area of clinical focus and may
include but are not limited to:
-
Ambulatory and remote
monitoring analysis and reporting
- Perform, interpret and report 12
lead electrocardiographs (ECG)
- Assist with exercising testing
procedures
- Assist with Tilt testing procedures
- Assist with invasive procedures
Demonstrates personal duty of care
for safe use of expensive and highly complex equipment. Is responsible for
ensuring that others are fully trained in the safe use of such equipment
within their specialist area.
Responsible for maintenance of
stock levels and consumables and for day to day security of expensive
equipment, e.g. portable devices. Reporting equipment faults in accordance
with departmental policy.
Professional
Responsible for maintaining own
technical proficiencies and competencies in clinical areas.
Maintains and develops current
knowledge of evidence based practice in each clinical area.
Responsible for reporting clinical
incidents and adverse events to the appropriate Team Manager / Service
Manager.
Responsible for formal mentorship
and input into coordination of training of designated junior staff and
students.
Be an active member of the
in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in,
in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions,
external courses and peer review.
Regularly provides training in
fundamental cardiac techniques to trainees and junior staff members.
Undertakes Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) in accordance with Personal Development Plan (PDP) as
developed with Line Manager.
Attends and participates in
departmental staff meetings.
Frequently undertakes collection of
data for use in audit, research projects and equipment testing.
Works in close liaison with other
staff members to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service,
contributing to maintaining a friendly and welcoming working atmosphere.
Organisational
Responsible for ensuring the Leeds
Way Values and LTHT vision is integrated within the Cardio-Respiratory CSU.
Demonstrates the ability to
prioritise and organise the clinical caseload within a designated area of
cardiology.
Responsible for obtaining,
transmitting and storing information relating to the delivery of a care
service.
Keep accurate and timely records,
inputting accurate data into the departmental databases allowing for the
production of statistical resource information for accurate billing.
Other
Communicates with all members of
the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible care for the patient.
Including giving detailed advice to other specialist professions which will
influence patient care/outcomes. Communication skills including:
- Negotiating, e.g. with physicians
who demand investigations not achievable within the service limitations.
- Reassurance, e.g. to patients who
are anxious about their clinical findings.
- Persuasiveness, e.g. to young
children who are scared to undergo clinical procedures.
Immediate Life Support training
essential during procedures performed on acutely ill patients and those at
very high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Expected to undertake informal
training by means of periodic in-house assessments.
To comply with the Trusts manual
handling policy at all times.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
Duties
Carries out all aspects of clinical
and administration work as approved by their line manager, working within
established codes of practice and local departmental standard operating
procedures.
To be professionally and legally
accountable for all aspect of own work, including the management of patients
in your care and dealing with their specific needs.
Routinely undertakes assessment of
both in-patients and out-patients prior to a range of investigations and uses
own discretion in order to ensure the patient is suitable for the
investigation.
Communicates with all members of
the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible care for patients,
including: negotiating, reassurance, empathy, and persuasiveness.
Communicates sensitive information
about routine and complex investigations to patients and relatives/carers
including children and those with learning and/or physical disabilities.
Calibrates and manipulates a wide
range of complex, expensive, technical equipment which process, create,
update and store information. Identifies any automatically generated reports
that are false and or inaccurate, escalating any errors to the appropriate
member of LTHT staff.
Performs / provides factual reports
on a number of investigations on a region-wide range of patients including
acutely ill paediatric and elderly patients and those with a range of
physical and learning disabilities.
Clinical investigations would be
dependent on the applicants skill set and area of clinical focus and may
include but are not limited to:
-
Ambulatory and remote
monitoring analysis and reporting
- Perform, interpret and report 12
lead electrocardiographs (ECG)
- Assist with exercising testing
procedures
- Assist with Tilt testing procedures
- Assist with invasive procedures
Demonstrates personal duty of care
for safe use of expensive and highly complex equipment. Is responsible for
ensuring that others are fully trained in the safe use of such equipment
within their specialist area.
Responsible for maintenance of
stock levels and consumables and for day to day security of expensive
equipment, e.g. portable devices. Reporting equipment faults in accordance
with departmental policy.
Professional
Responsible for maintaining own
technical proficiencies and competencies in clinical areas.
Maintains and develops current
knowledge of evidence based practice in each clinical area.
Responsible for reporting clinical
incidents and adverse events to the appropriate Team Manager / Service
Manager.
Responsible for formal mentorship
and input into coordination of training of designated junior staff and
students.
Be an active member of the
in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in,
in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions,
external courses and peer review.
Regularly provides training in
fundamental cardiac techniques to trainees and junior staff members.
Undertakes Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) in accordance with Personal Development Plan (PDP) as
developed with Line Manager.
Attends and participates in
departmental staff meetings.
Frequently undertakes collection of
data for use in audit, research projects and equipment testing.
Works in close liaison with other
staff members to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service,
contributing to maintaining a friendly and welcoming working atmosphere.
Organisational
Responsible for ensuring the Leeds
Way Values and LTHT vision is integrated within the Cardio-Respiratory CSU.
Demonstrates the ability to
prioritise and organise the clinical caseload within a designated area of
cardiology.
Responsible for obtaining,
transmitting and storing information relating to the delivery of a care
service.
Keep accurate and timely records,
inputting accurate data into the departmental databases allowing for the
production of statistical resource information for accurate billing.
Other
Communicates with all members of
the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible care for the patient.
Including giving detailed advice to other specialist professions which will
influence patient care/outcomes. Communication skills including:
- Negotiating, e.g. with physicians
who demand investigations not achievable within the service limitations.
- Reassurance, e.g. to patients who
are anxious about their clinical findings.
- Persuasiveness, e.g. to young
children who are scared to undergo clinical procedures.
Immediate Life Support training
essential during procedures performed on acutely ill patients and those at
very high risk of sudden cardiac death.
Expected to undertake informal
training by means of periodic in-house assessments.
To comply with the Trusts manual
handling policy at all times.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- SCST Certificate in Electrocardiography or equivalent, or experience and competency in performing, interpreting and reporting ECG.
- GCSEs Grade A-C, or equivalent, in Maths and English.
- Adult Basic Life Support training with willingness to undergo Immediate Life Support training
Desirable
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Proven ability to provide leadership, support and guidance to team members.
- Ability to achieve clinical competency promptly, shows initiative in developing and learning new skills
- Enjoys working as part of a team but competent to work autonomously
- Takes accountability for their work and has pride in their role and contribution to the service.
- Able to work autonomously, co-ordinate, delegate, plan and prioritise workload
Desirable
- Experience of service development; please provide examples
- Coaching skills; provide examples
- Interest in developing others using feedback tools; provide examples
- Ability to manage and accept necessary change; provide examples
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Why are you interested in the Associate Practitioner role?
- Do you have a preference between the two advertised roles?
- How do you contribute to maintaining positive team culture?
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience and competency in cardiac diagnostics; please list.
- Good theoretical knowledge of wider cardio-respiratory diagnostics; please list.
- Contribution to service development, audit or innovation
- Understanding of the scope of the role of an Associate Practitioner in the context of the team and organisation.
- Experience supporting students and trainees to gain competency; please list.
Desirable
- Existing competency in analysing and reporting ambulaory ECG, ILR or AliveCor patient downloads.
- Existing competency in assisting in CPX, tilt testing, or EP procedures.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- SCST Certificate in Electrocardiography or equivalent, or experience and competency in performing, interpreting and reporting ECG.
- GCSEs Grade A-C, or equivalent, in Maths and English.
- Adult Basic Life Support training with willingness to undergo Immediate Life Support training
Desirable
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Proven ability to provide leadership, support and guidance to team members.
- Ability to achieve clinical competency promptly, shows initiative in developing and learning new skills
- Enjoys working as part of a team but competent to work autonomously
- Takes accountability for their work and has pride in their role and contribution to the service.
- Able to work autonomously, co-ordinate, delegate, plan and prioritise workload
Desirable
- Experience of service development; please provide examples
- Coaching skills; provide examples
- Interest in developing others using feedback tools; provide examples
- Ability to manage and accept necessary change; provide examples
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Why are you interested in the Associate Practitioner role?
- Do you have a preference between the two advertised roles?
- How do you contribute to maintaining positive team culture?
Experience
Essential
- Practical experience and competency in cardiac diagnostics; please list.
- Good theoretical knowledge of wider cardio-respiratory diagnostics; please list.
- Contribution to service development, audit or innovation
- Understanding of the scope of the role of an Associate Practitioner in the context of the team and organisation.
- Experience supporting students and trainees to gain competency; please list.
Desirable
- Existing competency in analysing and reporting ambulaory ECG, ILR or AliveCor patient downloads.
- Existing competency in assisting in CPX, tilt testing, or EP procedures.
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.
