Specialist Cardiac Physiologist (XR06)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Principal Duties & Areas of Responsibility

The post holder must possess the relevant qualifications, training and experience as outlined in the person specification.

The trainee will work closely with the training coordinator/officer and more senior members of staff to follow the curriculum for the Echocardiography Training Programme.

The trainee will work in specified areas of the department and be responsible to the Designated Training Coordinator/Officer for their own work and progression through the scheme.

All trainees will be expected to travel to national academic and other courses throughout their training - in some cases this may involve overnight and/or residential stays. Trainees will undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography at a designated academic institution specific for the training pathway.

The trainee will undertake the full training programme in order to progress through the academic and practical elements of the training scheme. In so doing they will learn how to perform and interpret clinical and specialist scientific processes underpinned by theoretical and applied knowledge and practical experience and will learn how to:

Perform and interpret routine cardiac investigations.

Perform specialised diagnostics investigations.

Carry out complex scientific and clinical roles, including those working directly with patients.

Analyse and interpret and data compare investigative and clinical options.

Make judgements, including clinical and differential judgements, involving complicated facts or situations that impact on patients.

Initiate and undertake innovation, improvement and R&D and be involved in the education of healthcare science trainees and other learners in the workplace.

Carry out audit to continuously improve patient care and service needs.

Participate in the training and development of both external university students and junior team members.

Communicate and interact effectively within a multidisciplinary team to ensure a positive patient experience.

Assist the Principal Cardiac Physiologist and other senior members of the team in the day-to-day organisation and delivery of the cardiothoracic diagnostic service.

Scientific and Clinical Practice

Undertake a range of clinical and scientific investigations as appropriate to the role.

Acquire and maintain a high level of professional competence in the performance of all tests, investigations and measurements carried out.

Interpret and act upon results of tests, investigations and measurements in accordance with departmental policies, procedures and quality systems.

Comment and advise on new proposals and protocols, especially for service improvements.

Assist in the provision of advice to medical, nursing and other healthcare staff on the optimal and safe use of scientific procedures and highly complex equipment, including assisting in the design of new facilities.

Assist with the procurement, acceptance and use of medical devices and consumables.

Be responsible for the safe use of complex scientific and medical equipment, including recording all maintenance and calibration procedures performed and any corrective actions undertaken.

Use reagents, consumables, hazardous materials and equipment safely and in accordance with Health and Safety policies.

Participate in risk management procedures including risk assessment and the investigation and reporting of adverse incidents.

Participate in internal and external audit processes and quality systems

Undertake R&D within the department as an integral part of training and acquire relevant skills to undertake clinical audit.

Assist with supervision and training of support staff, students and new appointees, and participate in departmental seminars and scientific meetings to disseminate knowledge acquired through study or research.

Education and Learning

Successfully complete the training and assessment programme in conjunction with the local Training Coordinator and designated Academic institution to achieve certified competence awarded by the BSE.

Undertake suitable training within the host department and other placements to successfully acquire core competencies and thereafter maintain the required standards of competence when undertaking duties.

Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including appraisal, supervision, academic course and problem based learning and maintaining a personal portfolio of learning. Ensure that own learning needs, identified with the Training officer and reflecting the requirements of the curriculum, are met.

Retain sufficient flexibility and adaptability in learning in order to ensure full contribution to improving services in response to changing health care needs.

Maintain knowledge of recent scientific developments and undertake supplementary training to develop both knowledge and skills.

Attend mandatory training (both vocational and academic) as required.

Participate in internal and external assessment processes.

Patient Management and Clinical Care Delivery

Provide support to specialist clinics and specialist treatment interventions

Perform, report and interpret a range of investigations undertaken indirectly for or directly with patients within a range of care settings

Specialist care and treatment interventions for patients across the range of clinical pathways and health care settings

Appropriate clinical and scientific advice and interpretation of analytical results

Participate in multidisciplinary meetings

Apply and promote evidence based practice and use of relevant clinical protocols and procedures

Ensuring that all equipment used on patients and the public is handled and applied in accordance with health and safety requirements and other national or international guidelines

Communication

Communication and interpretation of complex clinical, scientific and technical information to a wide range of people including clinicians, managers, patients and the public

Liaise with senior scientists and clinical users of the service on appropriateness of investigations, interventions and tests

Quality Audit

Contribute to audits to inform patient management and clinical care

Contribute to quality audits relating to accreditation and regulation

Perform quality assurance, process and outcomes audits relevant to the specialism

Clinical Governance

Maintain standards for health & safety procedures

Comply with quality and governance procedures within the department including risk management and risk mitigation

Maintain high standards of professional and personal conduct

Ensure that patient safety and experience and effectiveness of service are maximised.

Occasional Duties

To carry out any other reasonable duties to achieve learning and experience that may be required, which are commensurate with the grade and nature of the post

This job description outlines the main current duties and responsibilities of the training post. The job description will need to be reviewed and subsequently may be altered. Any resulting changes will be subject to consultation

In addition to regular assessment and planning meetings, the trainee will have a biannual meeting to discuss progress and to consider issues relevant to the wider training programme

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Has an understanding of the role of an Echocardiographer in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting
• A committed, in-depth interest in Echocardiography and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment

Desirable

• Practical skills or familiarity of cardiac ultrasound

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Reliable and flexible
• Highly developed coordination skills with good dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination and those skills required for the performance of fine analytical techniques.
• Ability to develop proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques currently in use where they are training (ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures accurately)
• Ability to use, maintain and troubleshoot scientific equipment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both writing and speaking in English language

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st or 2:1 in Cardiac Physiology Healthcare Science (PTP or Apprenticeship)
• Current registration with the AHCS or RCCP

Other criteria

Essential

• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the training role

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Leeds General Infirmary

Great George Street

Leeds

LS1 3EX

Employer's website

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