Healthcare Scientist/Specialist Healthcare Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

a) Perform a range of advanced Healthcare Scientist clinical and technical activities, with specific responsibility to work autonomously in performing the following theatre monitoring

b) Undertake MVD and DBS theatre monitoring without Consultant Neurophysiologist supervision.

c) Undertake functional motor mapping without Consultant Neurophysiologist supervision.

d) Undertake the placement of EMG needles, in theatre, without Consultant Neurophysiologist supervision.

e) Undertake transcortical stimulation and the recording of MEPs and SSEPs without Consultant Neurophysiologist supervision

f) Responsible for the planning of the appropriate neurophysiology monitoring required for each case and communicating this, in advance, to the referring surgeon.

g) Responsible for the set up and planning of the technical programming of the equipment required, detailed understanding of the software is required, enabling appropriate changes to protocol, including sudden changes that may occur in theatre, liaising with the manufacturers when necessary.

h) Ensure appropriate specialist electrodes and needles are available in advance for all cases, liaising with the surgeon

i) Responsible for analysis and interpretation of theatre monitoring, and communicating findings promptly to the surgeons and theatre team.

j) Assist Consultant Neurophysiologist to perform other complex theatre monitoring

k) Initiate and lead audit projects in relation to Neurophysiology theatre monitoring

l) Initiate and lead research projects in relation to Neurophysiology theatre monitoring, this will include coordination of research projects.

m) Responsible for advising on the technical aspects of theatre monitoring based on current literature. Responsible for writing the standard operating procedures relating to neurophysiology theatre monitoring. Proposing changes to practice and influencing policy and guidance when necessary.

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

o) Participate in the training and education of PTP, other STPs plus other staff groups. Liaising with Consultant Clinical Physiologist when required.

p) Maintain regional and national profile in relation to theatre monitoring, this will include presenting service reviews, audit and research findings at national/international conferences and scientific meetings. In addition, producing regular publications in relevant journals.

Key responsibilities

Clinical

Undertake Theatre Monitoring for departmentally agreed procedures, without supervision of Consultant Neurophysiologist

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 for complex cases pass to Consultant Neurophysiologist 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 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.

Lead theatre monitoring training and education of Clinical Physiologists and/or other staff groups. Liaising with the Consultant Clinical Physiologist when required.

• 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 policies
• Initiate and participate in audit programmes,
• Regularly undertake R&D activity, liaising with Consultant Clinical Physiologist 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 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.
• Participate in the development of Neurophysiology theatre monitoring business plans.
• 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

Experience

Essential

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

Desirable

• Supervisory experience.

Qualifications

Essential

• MSc Clinical Science (Neurosensory) qualification/ or equivalent level of knowledge which demonstrates practising at Master level
• Successful completion of WCNN 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.

Professional Registration/Development

Essential

• Evidence of qualifying and practising at Masters (M Level)
• Chartered Scientist CSci
• 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

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

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)