Healthcare Scientist (Neurophysiology)

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Band 7 Healthcare Scientist (Neurophysiology)

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Neurophysiology department, at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust for a suitably qualified Band 7 Healthcare Scientist to work within our dynamic and busy department.

The service provides a comprehensive and diverse range of adult Neurophysiology investigations, including EEG, sleep studies, evoked potentials (VEP, BSEP,SSEP),NCS and EMG. The service supports the Trust's epilepsy surgery programme and there are three beds for routine and invasive telemetry cases. In addition, there is a video EEG ambulatory monitoring service (including home recordings). A broad range of intra-operative monitoring is undertaken and covers both adult spinal and cranial based surgery.

A successful healthcare scientist training programme has been established for many years and all candidates would be expected to be actively involved in the training and supervision of trainees. We have strong links with educational providers to participate in the delivery of academic training for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate training for health care scientists. The department promotes active multi-disciplinary working and continued professional development programmes. Working at high professional clinical standards at all times, the appointed candidates will be expected to have proven evidence of a proactive approach to their own continued professional development.

Main duties of the job

The post holder must be an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual, experienced in all modalities of Neurophysiology tests.

All candidates should have minimum of MSc Clinical Science (Neurosensory) or equivalent experience and be RCCP registered.

For further information, please contact Caroline Finnegan Service Manager, caroline.finnegan1@nhs.net

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People we invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and has been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Date posted

19 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£41,659 to £47,672 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9160-426900

Job locations

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Perform a range of advanced Healthcare Scientist clinical and technical activities, after appropriate training, including

Undertake and report CTS investigations, liaising with Consultant Neurophysiologist when necessary.

Perform non routine and complex video telemetry ( grid, depth, pre surgical monitoring)

Undertake MVD and DBS theatre monitoring without Consultant Neurophysiologist supervision

Undertake indirect transcranial stimulation for monitoring of the long tracts or direct sensory stimulation of the auditory nerve, liaising with Consultant or Specialist Healthcare scientist if necessary

Direct CNS stimulation will not be performed by Clinical Physiologists

Assist Consultant Neurophysiologist or Specialist Healthcare Scientist to perform complex theatre monitoring

Participate in the training and education of PTP, other STPs plus other staff groups

Key responsibilities

Undertake and report CTS investigations

Undertake Theatre Monitoring for departmentally agreed procedures, without supervision of Consultant or Specialist Healthcare Scientist

Interpret Neurophysiology waveforms

Communicate with Surgeon throughout the monitoring, notifying them when specific criteria is reached/ or changes occur and documenting the events.

Produce a pre and post- op neurophysiology report, ensuring that all reports are signed issued and passed to Specialist Healthcare Scientist for counter signature

Triage theatre referrals, into routine, non routine or new procedure. Liaising with the appropriate staff to confirm capacity and availability of appropriately trained Clinical Physiologists

Support the Consultant Neurophysiologist or Specialist Healthcare Scientist during other types of monitoring when required

Coordinate any fault finding of theatre monitoring equipment

Ensure that Neurophysiology equipment is set up appropriately for the type of monitoring to be performed.

Participate in the theatre monitoring training and education of Clinical Physiologists and/or other staff groups. Liaising with the Specialist Healthcare Scientist

Ensure annual leave of other Clinical Physiologists who monitor in theatre is coordinated and delegate monitoring where appropriate and only in exceptional circumstances.

Participate in quality assurance programmes, with emphasis on theatre monitoring and long- term monitoring. .

Other clinical;

Plan, perform and interpret a range of basic and advanced Neurophysiological investigations to a high level of competence, taking appropriate action where necessary. Investigations will be performed on patients of all ages, the investigations will include;

Perform routine EEG investigations, inc, sleep deprivation.

Perform non-routine EEG investigation, inc, portable EEGs on ward and ITU

Perform ambulatory monitoring.

Perform wada investigations

Perform a range a sleep testing, inc NPSG,MSLT,MWT and pulse oximetry

Perform surface and invasive video-telemetry investigations, inc depth, grid and pres surgical

Perform range of NCS

Assist in EMG investigations

Perform all modality of theatre monitoring EP investigations.

(The range of investigations may be subject to change dependent on the service requirements and developments.)

Provide technical reports on a range of Neurophysiological investigations

Monitor and maintain high professional standards of Neurophysiological service(s) in all aspects of work.

Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure service(s) meet changing healthcare needs.

Provide support and assistance to Neurophysiological staff in dealing with difficult and conflicting situations, including those of a clinical/professional nature.

Participate in the implementation of policiesInitiate and participate in audit programmes

Initiate and participate in audit programmes

Regularly undertake R&D activity, liaising with Consultant to use appropriate research methodology, then ensuring collation and publication of results

Undertake responsibility for archiving diagnostic data and maintaining database integrity

Maintain continued professional development appropriate to the range of Neurophysiology services to patients.

Undertake simple fault finding of Neurophysiology equipment and logging of all incidents and contact EBME, IT and/or manufacturers to rectify, liaising with Professional Service Manager.

In conjunction with the manufacturers, ensure that the clinical information is appropriately maintained.

Managerial/Leadership

Assist Professional Service Manager in the workforce planning of Clinical Physiologists across all sites, ensuring staffing rota is appropriate and matches skill mix and needs of the service across sites.

Contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the department.

Facilitate the supervision of junior Clinical Physiologists

Contribute to the effective and efficient use of information resources and administrative patient reporting and data storage.

Contribute to the maintenance of statistical information as required for statistical and other management purposes.

Contribute to the health and safety and quality assurance policies to patients, staff and visitors.

Attend Trust, Regional and National meetings relating to issues of Neurophysiology Service(s) provision.

May participate in the development of business plans for the Neurophysiology

Participate in Trust- wide projects.

Contribute to the recruitment, appointment and retention of all staff in line with Trust policies and guidelines.

Contribute to the analysis and workforce planning needs of the Neurophysiology establishment and skill mix as appropriate to the safe provision of service(s) to patients within budget provision.

Promote and ensure equality, diversity and rights for all.

Education, Training and Development

Participate in the implementation of education and training of Clinical Physiologists and other staff groups in line with mandatory, professional and personal development according to staff needs. Remedial action may be taken as necessary.

Provide clinical supervision/mentorship for staff.

May be responsible for the training, assessment and continuing professional development of trainee and recently qualified Clinical Physiologists.

Undertake responsibility for the implementation of teaching and training programmes at all levels for Neurophysiology services.

Participate in teaching and training in Neurophysiology to a broad range of healthcare workers including medical, AHP, nursing, HCS etc.

Ensure personal compliance with regards to mandatory, professional and personal development according to service needs.

Ensure personal compliance with CPD guidelines, professional

codes of conduct and evaluate the effect of development on service delivery.

Clinical Governance and Audit

Implement and register audits from the Neurophysiology audit plan to ensure compliance with and development of professional and local policies and procedures and clinical standards/guidelines. Liaising with Department Audit Lead.

Contribute to the facilitation of patient and public involvement in the development of Neurophysiological services(s).

Facilitate the investigation of complaints regarding the service(s) and to report findings to the Trust in accordance with local procedure and to take remedial action if appropriate.

Work within Trust agreed policies and protocols.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Perform a range of advanced Healthcare Scientist clinical and technical activities, after appropriate training, including

Undertake and report CTS investigations, liaising with Consultant Neurophysiologist when necessary.

Perform non routine and complex video telemetry ( grid, depth, pre surgical monitoring)

Undertake MVD and DBS theatre monitoring without Consultant Neurophysiologist supervision

Undertake indirect transcranial stimulation for monitoring of the long tracts or direct sensory stimulation of the auditory nerve, liaising with Consultant or Specialist Healthcare scientist if necessary

Direct CNS stimulation will not be performed by Clinical Physiologists

Assist Consultant Neurophysiologist or Specialist Healthcare Scientist to perform complex theatre monitoring

Participate in the training and education of PTP, other STPs plus other staff groups

Key responsibilities

Undertake and report CTS investigations

Undertake Theatre Monitoring for departmentally agreed procedures, without supervision of Consultant or Specialist Healthcare Scientist

Interpret Neurophysiology waveforms

Communicate with Surgeon throughout the monitoring, notifying them when specific criteria is reached/ or changes occur and documenting the events.

Produce a pre and post- op neurophysiology report, ensuring that all reports are signed issued and passed to Specialist Healthcare Scientist for counter signature

Triage theatre referrals, into routine, non routine or new procedure. Liaising with the appropriate staff to confirm capacity and availability of appropriately trained Clinical Physiologists

Support the Consultant Neurophysiologist or Specialist Healthcare Scientist during other types of monitoring when required

Coordinate any fault finding of theatre monitoring equipment

Ensure that Neurophysiology equipment is set up appropriately for the type of monitoring to be performed.

Participate in the theatre monitoring training and education of Clinical Physiologists and/or other staff groups. Liaising with the Specialist Healthcare Scientist

Ensure annual leave of other Clinical Physiologists who monitor in theatre is coordinated and delegate monitoring where appropriate and only in exceptional circumstances.

Participate in quality assurance programmes, with emphasis on theatre monitoring and long- term monitoring. .

Other clinical;

Plan, perform and interpret a range of basic and advanced Neurophysiological investigations to a high level of competence, taking appropriate action where necessary. Investigations will be performed on patients of all ages, the investigations will include;

Perform routine EEG investigations, inc, sleep deprivation.

Perform non-routine EEG investigation, inc, portable EEGs on ward and ITU

Perform ambulatory monitoring.

Perform wada investigations

Perform a range a sleep testing, inc NPSG,MSLT,MWT and pulse oximetry

Perform surface and invasive video-telemetry investigations, inc depth, grid and pres surgical

Perform range of NCS

Assist in EMG investigations

Perform all modality of theatre monitoring EP investigations.

(The range of investigations may be subject to change dependent on the service requirements and developments.)

Provide technical reports on a range of Neurophysiological investigations

Monitor and maintain high professional standards of Neurophysiological service(s) in all aspects of work.

Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure service(s) meet changing healthcare needs.

Provide support and assistance to Neurophysiological staff in dealing with difficult and conflicting situations, including those of a clinical/professional nature.

Participate in the implementation of policiesInitiate and participate in audit programmes

Initiate and participate in audit programmes

Regularly undertake R&D activity, liaising with Consultant to use appropriate research methodology, then ensuring collation and publication of results

Undertake responsibility for archiving diagnostic data and maintaining database integrity

Maintain continued professional development appropriate to the range of Neurophysiology services to patients.

Undertake simple fault finding of Neurophysiology equipment and logging of all incidents and contact EBME, IT and/or manufacturers to rectify, liaising with Professional Service Manager.

In conjunction with the manufacturers, ensure that the clinical information is appropriately maintained.

Managerial/Leadership

Assist Professional Service Manager in the workforce planning of Clinical Physiologists across all sites, ensuring staffing rota is appropriate and matches skill mix and needs of the service across sites.

Contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the department.

Facilitate the supervision of junior Clinical Physiologists

Contribute to the effective and efficient use of information resources and administrative patient reporting and data storage.

Contribute to the maintenance of statistical information as required for statistical and other management purposes.

Contribute to the health and safety and quality assurance policies to patients, staff and visitors.

Attend Trust, Regional and National meetings relating to issues of Neurophysiology Service(s) provision.

May participate in the development of business plans for the Neurophysiology

Participate in Trust- wide projects.

Contribute to the recruitment, appointment and retention of all staff in line with Trust policies and guidelines.

Contribute to the analysis and workforce planning needs of the Neurophysiology establishment and skill mix as appropriate to the safe provision of service(s) to patients within budget provision.

Promote and ensure equality, diversity and rights for all.

Education, Training and Development

Participate in the implementation of education and training of Clinical Physiologists and other staff groups in line with mandatory, professional and personal development according to staff needs. Remedial action may be taken as necessary.

Provide clinical supervision/mentorship for staff.

May be responsible for the training, assessment and continuing professional development of trainee and recently qualified Clinical Physiologists.

Undertake responsibility for the implementation of teaching and training programmes at all levels for Neurophysiology services.

Participate in teaching and training in Neurophysiology to a broad range of healthcare workers including medical, AHP, nursing, HCS etc.

Ensure personal compliance with regards to mandatory, professional and personal development according to service needs.

Ensure personal compliance with CPD guidelines, professional

codes of conduct and evaluate the effect of development on service delivery.

Clinical Governance and Audit

Implement and register audits from the Neurophysiology audit plan to ensure compliance with and development of professional and local policies and procedures and clinical standards/guidelines. Liaising with Department Audit Lead.

Contribute to the facilitation of patient and public involvement in the development of Neurophysiological services(s).

Facilitate the investigation of complaints regarding the service(s) and to report findings to the Trust in accordance with local procedure and to take remedial action if appropriate.

Work within Trust agreed policies and protocols.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • MSc Clinical Science (Neurosensory) qualification/ or equivalent level of knowledge which demonstrates practising at Master level
  • Successful completion of Neurophysiology Theatre training and assessments
  • BSc Hons Neurosensory Science (Neurophysiology) or equivalent experience
  • BTEC HNC/D in Medical Physics and Phys.Measurements
  • 4 GCSEs(Grade A-C) including Maths, English, and Dual Science, or equivalent
  • ECNE Part 1
  • ECNE Part 2 or equivalent experience.

Desirable

  • 2 A Levels (including one science subject) or equivalent
  • Training & Assessing qualification.

Experience

Essential

  • Practical experience and familiarity with a range of basic, advanced and complex Neurophysiological investigations

Desirable

  • Supervisory experience

Professional Registration/Development

Essential

  • Evidence of qualifying and practising at Masters (M Level)
  • Provide evidence of practicing at M level across the six board areas as outlined by RCCP:
  • 1.Professional Autonomy
  • 2.Scientific and Clinical Practice
  • 3.Professional Relationships
  • 4.Research and service improvement
  • 5.Safe Effective Practice, quality assurance
  • 6.Training and education.

Desirable

  • Chartered Scientist CSci.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • MSc Clinical Science (Neurosensory) qualification/ or equivalent level of knowledge which demonstrates practising at Master level
  • Successful completion of Neurophysiology Theatre training and assessments
  • BSc Hons Neurosensory Science (Neurophysiology) or equivalent experience
  • BTEC HNC/D in Medical Physics and Phys.Measurements
  • 4 GCSEs(Grade A-C) including Maths, English, and Dual Science, or equivalent
  • ECNE Part 1
  • ECNE Part 2 or equivalent experience.

Desirable

  • 2 A Levels (including one science subject) or equivalent
  • Training & Assessing qualification.

Experience

Essential

  • Practical experience and familiarity with a range of basic, advanced and complex Neurophysiological investigations

Desirable

  • Supervisory experience

Professional Registration/Development

Essential

  • Evidence of qualifying and practising at Masters (M Level)
  • Provide evidence of practicing at M level across the six board areas as outlined by RCCP:
  • 1.Professional Autonomy
  • 2.Scientific and Clinical Practice
  • 3.Professional Relationships
  • 4.Research and service improvement
  • 5.Safe Effective Practice, quality assurance
  • 6.Training and education.

Desirable

  • Chartered Scientist CSci.

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).

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).

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

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Employer's website

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


For questions about the job, contact:

Service Manager

Caroline Finnegan

caroline.finnegan1@nhs.net

01515563578

Date posted

19 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£41,659 to £47,672 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9160-426900

Job locations

The Walton Centre

Lower Lane

Liverpool

L9 7LJ


Supporting documents

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