East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Science Practitioner Specialist

The closing date is 16 October 2025

Job summary

The successful candidates will work as part of a team in a busy Respiratory department at a senior level, providing a range of respiratory investigations, and producing clinical reports. They will supervise junior staff, as well as deputise for senior staff on occasions.

This post would suit an individual looking to enhance their knowledge and further develop skills in line management or a science graduate who wishes to work in a healthcare environment and train within this field over a 3 year period.

The candidates will independently perform a range of Respiratory investigations and will derive clinical reports from basic and highly specialist diagnostic procedures - including CPET, bronchial challenge and hyperventilation studies. They must have experience in a Respiratory physiology at either Band 5 or Band 6 level and have achieved the minimum academic qualifications in the Person Specification. Ideally they will be registered on the RCCP / AHCS / HCPC register, or seeking registration.

Applicants who do not fulfil the full essential criteria may be considered for this post. For those who do not quite meet the criteria, we would consider recruiting into a Band 5 salary with a 2 year development program to band 6.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work with the multi-professional respiratory team in supporting the implementation and delivery of an innovative and evidence-based service that addresses the needs of patients and their carer's.

The post-holder will ensure that all patients are treated with compassion, dignity and respect, placing value on the diversity of the local community and beyond. The post holder will be expected at all times to work within the standard operating policies and procedures of the department and more broadly the NHS organisation.

The successful applicant will adhere to high standards of professionalism, health and safety, risk reduction, confidentiality, patient care and dignity, and respect for equality and diversity as set out in the NHS Constitution.To work with the Lead Respiratory clinical scientist and the team to support and develop the needs of the respiratory diagnostic service.To work flexibly, providing cross cover to other sites as the service requires.

To provide a physiologist led service that requires a high degree of autonomous practice, technical expertise and diagnostic interpretation, which involves considerable responsibility and accountability.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-2407QEH

Job locations

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Job description

Job responsibilities

To Provide and contribute to the day to day running of the serviceTo interpret lung function tests and where required explain their meaning to non-respiratory colleaguesTo be responsible for the recording of all activity, validation of results in a timely mannerTo perform without supervision the following respiratory investigations in accordance with ARTP/BTS/ERS guidelinesSpirometry/Flow volume loopsSingle breath Gas transferStatic lung volumes via body plethysmographyFeNOReversibility studiesPerforming capillary blood gases

Job description

Job responsibilities

To Provide and contribute to the day to day running of the serviceTo interpret lung function tests and where required explain their meaning to non-respiratory colleaguesTo be responsible for the recording of all activity, validation of results in a timely mannerTo perform without supervision the following respiratory investigations in accordance with ARTP/BTS/ERS guidelinesSpirometry/Flow volume loopsSingle breath Gas transferStatic lung volumes via body plethysmographyFeNOReversibility studiesPerforming capillary blood gases

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to prioritise workload
  • Ability to perform a range of respiratory diagnostic procedures
  • Underpinning knowledge of physiology applied to the cardiovascular/respiratory system - Knowledge of pathologies relevant to respiratory medicine
  • Knowledge of pathologies relevant to respiratory medicine
  • Knowledge of medication which may be administered within Respiratory Physiology and ability to administer as appropriate - Ability to analyse complex information, undertake all relevant tests, interpret results and provide accurate reports to Medical staff and other Healthcare professionals within Primary and Secondary care.
  • Ability to assess patient condition and seek expert assistance when required.
  • Able to provide day to day supervision of section / group

Desirable

  • Immediate Life Support (ILS) skills.
  • Supervisory experience
  • Ability to train other staff of all levels and act as a mentor
  • Ability to use evidence based practice to ensure quality standards

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Hons Clinical Physiology (Respiratory and or sleep) or MSc Clinical Science (Respiratory Science) or equivalent
  • Registration with RCCP, AHCS or HCPC
  • Applicants in their final year of study on the PTP/STP Respiratory/Sleep Physiology programme or applicants with a different BSc Hons degree in a Physiology related subject or other

Desirable

  • Mentorship qualification
  • MSc in a Physiology related subject or other relevant Science
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Ability to prioritise workload
  • Ability to perform a range of respiratory diagnostic procedures
  • Underpinning knowledge of physiology applied to the cardiovascular/respiratory system - Knowledge of pathologies relevant to respiratory medicine
  • Knowledge of pathologies relevant to respiratory medicine
  • Knowledge of medication which may be administered within Respiratory Physiology and ability to administer as appropriate - Ability to analyse complex information, undertake all relevant tests, interpret results and provide accurate reports to Medical staff and other Healthcare professionals within Primary and Secondary care.
  • Ability to assess patient condition and seek expert assistance when required.
  • Able to provide day to day supervision of section / group

Desirable

  • Immediate Life Support (ILS) skills.
  • Supervisory experience
  • Ability to train other staff of all levels and act as a mentor
  • Ability to use evidence based practice to ensure quality standards

Qualifications

Essential

  • BSc Hons Clinical Physiology (Respiratory and or sleep) or MSc Clinical Science (Respiratory Science) or equivalent
  • Registration with RCCP, AHCS or HCPC
  • Applicants in their final year of study on the PTP/STP Respiratory/Sleep Physiology programme or applicants with a different BSc Hons degree in a Physiology related subject or other

Desirable

  • Mentorship qualification
  • MSc in a Physiology related subject or other relevant Science

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

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Respiratory Lead Physiologist

Emma Ince

eince@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

02 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

344-2407QEH

Job locations

Kent and Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury

CT1 3NG


Supporting documents

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