Job summary
Are you a dynamic, dedicated and forward thinking individual who has a passion for Respiratory Physiology / Diagnostic Services? If you put patient care at the heart of all you do, we would like to accept your application for a Bank or Fixed Term Contract (March - May 2026) to cover a vacant Senior Chief Respiratory Physiologist post.
As the Interim Lead for the Respiratory Physiology Service, you will have both clinical and line management responsibilities. You will work clinically for around three days per week and around two days per week will be spent in a managerial capacity supporting your Respiratory Physiology team and work closely with the Operational Management Team to develop the service and improve diagnostic waiting times.
This is a busy, demanding, rewarding role.
What We're Looking For :
- Someone with the high-level of qualifications, knowledge and experience to lead a strong, dedicated team (MSc or BSc in Clinical Physiology (Respiratory) or equivalent / ARTP Membership / RCCP registered / Post-graduate (Level 7) in Non-Invasive Ventilation)
- Proven experience in delivering high-quality respiratory diagnostic services, including sleep diagnostics, CPAP and Lung Function
- Experience at a senior level with significant management experience, including training, mentoring, supervising and assessing junior colleague.
Interview date: 19/02/2026
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"NHS Survey, 2024'' Healthcare Scientists feels their health safety and wellbeing is support at work.
The exact job plan will be agreed with the post-holder, but will include working both clinically and in a managerial capacity supporting the Respiratory Physiology team and work closely with the Operational Management Team to develop the service and improve diagnostic waiting times.
The post holder will:o lead a team who perform and report on a wide range of both simple and highly complex procedures (ABG, Lung Function Tests, Oxi/Nox, CPAP, Spiro, 6MWTs and Mannitol Challenge)o monitor (and reduce) waiting times for diagnostic tests, ensuring the 6-week diagnostic target is adhered too work closely with the Respiratory Consultants, ANPs and Physiotherapists
You will need exceptional planning and organisational skills (rota planning, clinic templates) and to be an effective communicator to work collaboratively with colleagues to provide gold-standard care to our patients.
As an Interim Senior Chief Respiratory Physiologist, you will lead a team of 5x Respiratory Physiologists and 2x Administrators, working alongside 6x Consultants and 2x Speciality Doctors who have an interest in General Respiratory Medicine, Sleep and Lung Cancer. The wider team is supported by a team of Resident Doctors, MTI, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and a Physiotherapist.
We offer a 12% Recruitment and Retention Premium Payment.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
To have responsibility for the provision and quality of all aspects of the Respiratory Physiology service for Milton Keynes University Hospital. This would include the management and development of the services, staff and facilities at the Hospital. To undertake a wide range of both simple and highly complex procedures in Lung Function (Respiratory Physiology). To undertake the interpretation of results and the provision of reports on simple and highly complex assessments in Lung Function (Respiratory Physiology). To manage the CPAP service for new and repatriated patients. Participates in (and may initiate) quality assurance, lead audit and research and development programs.
Overview of Responsibilities
Has a responsibility for the provision of an efficient and high quality service in the field of Respiratory Physiology and the provision of the very best care for patients during their stay in the department
Undertakes, analyses and reports on a range of highly complex assessments of lung function in patients with a wide range of disorders, through delivery of highly specialist non-medical outpatient clinics, plan, perform and interpret a range of highly complex Lung Function investigations to a high level of competence on patients, regularly using complex software, and where appropriate initiate the next stage of clinical management. Ensure the data/reports are compiled by team and storaged efficiently.
To carry out and document scheduled calibration, maintenance and quality control procedures for any equipment used to ensure that equipment is functioning to agreed standards, providing accurate and safe performance.
Specific Responsibilities
To undertake a wide range of both simple and highly complex procedures in Lung Function (Respiratory Physiology)
To continually monitor and maintain high professional standards of Respiratory/Sleep Physiology Services to patients and to initiate remedial action where necessary.
To implement policy for own work area and propose change of working practices and procedures in other areas, to ensure service development.
To provide expert technical advice on Respiratory Diagnostics for medical and technical professionals, nurses and others.
Planning and Organisational Skills
Rota Management To create and share Rotas with team, ensuring all members of staff are allocated to a clinic on a fair, rotational basis according to service needs and skill-mix Leave approval Approve requests for Annual Leave and Study Leave ensuring service delivery is not compromised Clinic templates Create clinic templates efficiently utilising staff and resources available. Planning and organizing a number of complex activities which require dynamic adjustments depending on the waiting list and the type of procedures/diagnostics required.
Communication
1) Works collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to ensure service(s) meet changing healthcare needs.
2) Provide leadership and support to Respiratory Physiology staff in dealing with difficult and conflicting situations including those that are of a clinical/professional nature.
3) Communicates complex information, which may be sensitive and/or contentious, to patients and their carers.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To have responsibility for the provision and quality of all aspects of the Respiratory Physiology service for Milton Keynes University Hospital. This would include the management and development of the services, staff and facilities at the Hospital. To undertake a wide range of both simple and highly complex procedures in Lung Function (Respiratory Physiology). To undertake the interpretation of results and the provision of reports on simple and highly complex assessments in Lung Function (Respiratory Physiology). To manage the CPAP service for new and repatriated patients. Participates in (and may initiate) quality assurance, lead audit and research and development programs.
Overview of Responsibilities
Has a responsibility for the provision of an efficient and high quality service in the field of Respiratory Physiology and the provision of the very best care for patients during their stay in the department
Undertakes, analyses and reports on a range of highly complex assessments of lung function in patients with a wide range of disorders, through delivery of highly specialist non-medical outpatient clinics, plan, perform and interpret a range of highly complex Lung Function investigations to a high level of competence on patients, regularly using complex software, and where appropriate initiate the next stage of clinical management. Ensure the data/reports are compiled by team and storaged efficiently.
To carry out and document scheduled calibration, maintenance and quality control procedures for any equipment used to ensure that equipment is functioning to agreed standards, providing accurate and safe performance.
Specific Responsibilities
To undertake a wide range of both simple and highly complex procedures in Lung Function (Respiratory Physiology)
To continually monitor and maintain high professional standards of Respiratory/Sleep Physiology Services to patients and to initiate remedial action where necessary.
To implement policy for own work area and propose change of working practices and procedures in other areas, to ensure service development.
To provide expert technical advice on Respiratory Diagnostics for medical and technical professionals, nurses and others.
Planning and Organisational Skills
Rota Management To create and share Rotas with team, ensuring all members of staff are allocated to a clinic on a fair, rotational basis according to service needs and skill-mix Leave approval Approve requests for Annual Leave and Study Leave ensuring service delivery is not compromised Clinic templates Create clinic templates efficiently utilising staff and resources available. Planning and organizing a number of complex activities which require dynamic adjustments depending on the waiting list and the type of procedures/diagnostics required.
Communication
1) Works collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and agencies to ensure service(s) meet changing healthcare needs.
2) Provide leadership and support to Respiratory Physiology staff in dealing with difficult and conflicting situations including those that are of a clinical/professional nature.
3) Communicates complex information, which may be sensitive and/or contentious, to patients and their carers.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Msc/Bsc in Clinical Physiology (Respiratory) or equivalent.
- ARTP Membership - Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology
- RCCP registered - Council for Clinical Physiologist
- Postgraduation (level 7) in Non-Invasive Ventilation
- Chartered Management qualification Specialist Training and Management experience
- ILS
- Worked Based assessor Training
- Advanced Respiratory Skills: Non-Invasive ventilation
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at Senior level
- Significant management experience
- Extensive experience of training, supervision and assessment of junior staff
- Competent in the full range of noninvasive procedures and some invasive work.
- Able to analyse and interpret respiratory and sleep reports.
- Experience in sleep diagnostics
- Experience in CPAP
- Knowledge of professional issues
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance.
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal and organisation skills.
- Specialist skills in the recording analysis and reporting of Respiratory investigations.
- Management, supervisory and Training Skills
- First line management course.
- IT skills PACS
Personal and people development
Essential
- Able to analyse, interpret and handle complex or sensitive information, where empathic or reassurance skills are required and to communicate this to a wide range of people from Consultants to patients to the general public and children, including those with sensory, physical or learning difficulties
- Presentable
- Self motivated
- Enthusiastic
- Flexible to the demands of work when required.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Communication
Essential
- Good range of communication skills and proven history of MDT approach to patient care.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to consistently adopt behaviours that demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the Trust values to Care, Excel and Innovate towards everyone who uses or delivers our patient services.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Msc/Bsc in Clinical Physiology (Respiratory) or equivalent.
- ARTP Membership - Association for Respiratory Technology & Physiology
- RCCP registered - Council for Clinical Physiologist
- Postgraduation (level 7) in Non-Invasive Ventilation
- Chartered Management qualification Specialist Training and Management experience
- ILS
- Worked Based assessor Training
- Advanced Respiratory Skills: Non-Invasive ventilation
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience at Senior level
- Significant management experience
- Extensive experience of training, supervision and assessment of junior staff
- Competent in the full range of noninvasive procedures and some invasive work.
- Able to analyse and interpret respiratory and sleep reports.
- Experience in sleep diagnostics
- Experience in CPAP
- Knowledge of professional issues
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance.
Skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal and organisation skills.
- Specialist skills in the recording analysis and reporting of Respiratory investigations.
- Management, supervisory and Training Skills
- First line management course.
- IT skills PACS
Personal and people development
Essential
- Able to analyse, interpret and handle complex or sensitive information, where empathic or reassurance skills are required and to communicate this to a wide range of people from Consultants to patients to the general public and children, including those with sensory, physical or learning difficulties
- Presentable
- Self motivated
- Enthusiastic
- Flexible to the demands of work when required.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Communication
Essential
- Good range of communication skills and proven history of MDT approach to patient care.
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Able to consistently adopt behaviours that demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the Trust values to Care, Excel and Innovate towards everyone who uses or delivers our patient services.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
