Clinical Autonomic Scientist/Researcher

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are pleased to invite applicants for this rare opportunity to apply for a 1 year fixed term post as Clinical Autonomic Scientist/Researcher. The clinical autonomic scientist/ researcher is expected to have a specialist interest in autonomic diseases in particular multi-disciplinary care in a major centre of excellence.

The Autonomic Unit has pioneered the translation of autonomic research into clinical practice in the UK and worldwide, and is closely involved in national, European and international autonomic and neurological societies, and in International Consensus Groups and Task Forces providing guidelines and policy.

Clinical Autonomic Scientists work along with the clinicians, to ensure that the clinical service is underpinned by a strong investigation and evidence base. They have devised and implemented new diagnostic tests for central and peripheral autonomic function, and novel treatments. They have pioneered novel, mainly non-invasive techniques for the investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms in various autonomic disorders.

Main duties of the job

The team has in the last 5 years established additional patients' pathway including the delivery of autonomic assessment, rehabilitation and immunotherapy one of the most severe but treatable autonomic failure condition, such as autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy.

We have also established the first Autonomic adolescent service and a new diagnostic assessment for postganglionic sudomotor dysfunction. The expanded spectrum of patients seen at the Autonomic unit require additional senior specialist in autonomic neurology leading on the delivery of assessment and treatment of patients with autonomic failure.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

  • University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

  • National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

  • Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

  • University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

  • Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

  • University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

  • The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

  • University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Date posted

21 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£35,964 to £43,780 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-5766

Job locations

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH

Queen Square

London

WC1N 3BG


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc in life sciences or equivalent

Desirable

  • Familiar with decontamination procedures for bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials

Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience of working in a research based environment either laboratory or clinically based.
  • Proven ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English

Desirable

  • Experience of performing autonomic investigations
  • Basic life support and automated external defibrillator training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • -Analytical and Judgemental systems :Able to concentrate for prolonged periods during testing, data analysis and handling of blood samples yet cope with unpredictable interruptions.
  • Able to accept responsibility
  • Demonstrate effective prioritisation and time management skills
  • Able to make sensible judgements involving facts/situations that may require analysis and interpretations
  • -Quality and service improvement: Ability to adopt an objective view and be a good team player
  • -Information processing (IT skills): Proven competence in the use of office computer software, e.g Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving

Communication

Essential

  • High level of written and oral communication, including attention to details.
  • Understanding of the data protection act and an ability to act in such a manner as to maintain and protect confidentiality at all times.
  • Able to use influencing and persuasive skills

Desirable

  • Proven ability to deal professionally and effectively with people who are difficult, distressed or anxious.

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Enabling people to learn new skills and information
  • Able to undertake self-directed study without a structured timetable
  • Able to learn new skills

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

Essential

  • Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
  • Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
  • Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal
  • Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

Specific Requirements

Essential

  • -Physical effort:Able to stand for much of the day Tolerant of hot, occasionally smelly environments
  • Able to move to move cartons, some large, occasionally heavy (limited requirement)
  • Able to assist with the transfer of immobile/impaired people
  • -Physical skills : Able or willing to learn phlebotomy skills, including cannulation
  • Dexterity and good hand-eye co-ordination for accuracy, to include above average keyboard skills, transfer/handling of blood/plasma, phlebotomy, delicate and expensive electronic equipment
  • The postholder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post, this will be determined through occupational health with any reasonable aids provided wherever possible

Desirable

  • -Miscellaneous : Understanding of and commitment to the needs of the Autonomic Unit service
Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc in life sciences or equivalent

Desirable

  • Familiar with decontamination procedures for bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials

Experience

Essential

  • Proven experience of working in a research based environment either laboratory or clinically based.
  • Proven ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English

Desirable

  • Experience of performing autonomic investigations
  • Basic life support and automated external defibrillator training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • -Analytical and Judgemental systems :Able to concentrate for prolonged periods during testing, data analysis and handling of blood samples yet cope with unpredictable interruptions.
  • Able to accept responsibility
  • Demonstrate effective prioritisation and time management skills
  • Able to make sensible judgements involving facts/situations that may require analysis and interpretations
  • -Quality and service improvement: Ability to adopt an objective view and be a good team player
  • -Information processing (IT skills): Proven competence in the use of office computer software, e.g Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving

Communication

Essential

  • High level of written and oral communication, including attention to details.
  • Understanding of the data protection act and an ability to act in such a manner as to maintain and protect confidentiality at all times.
  • Able to use influencing and persuasive skills

Desirable

  • Proven ability to deal professionally and effectively with people who are difficult, distressed or anxious.

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Enabling people to learn new skills and information
  • Able to undertake self-directed study without a structured timetable
  • Able to learn new skills

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

  • Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

Essential

  • Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
  • Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
  • Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal
  • Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

Specific Requirements

Essential

  • -Physical effort:Able to stand for much of the day Tolerant of hot, occasionally smelly environments
  • Able to move to move cartons, some large, occasionally heavy (limited requirement)
  • Able to assist with the transfer of immobile/impaired people
  • -Physical skills : Able or willing to learn phlebotomy skills, including cannulation
  • Dexterity and good hand-eye co-ordination for accuracy, to include above average keyboard skills, transfer/handling of blood/plasma, phlebotomy, delicate and expensive electronic equipment
  • The postholder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post, this will be determined through occupational health with any reasonable aids provided wherever possible

Desirable

  • -Miscellaneous : Understanding of and commitment to the needs of the Autonomic Unit service

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

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH

Queen Square

London

WC1N 3BG


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH

Queen Square

London

WC1N 3BG


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Dr Valeria Iodice

valeria.iodice@nhs.net

Date posted

21 January 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£35,964 to £43,780 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-5766

Job locations

National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH

Queen Square

London

WC1N 3BG


Supporting documents

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