West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Band 7 - Highly Specialised Respiratory Physiologist

The closing date is 15 March 2026

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking to appoint one substantive, full-time Band 7 Physiologists in Respiratory Medicine to join our dynamic and supportive Respiratory team.This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Highly Specialised Respiratory Physiologist to join our team in the established Pulmonary Function Unit at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. The service provides a range of routine pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, gas transfer, lung volumes (via body plethysmography and helium dilution), reversibility testing and Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Testing.The successful post holders will support the Respiratory Physiology Service in delivering high-quality respiratory diagnostics and sleep therapies to the West Hertfordshire population across our three hospital sites.

The role involves close collaboration with colleagues across the wider Respiratory Department, and flexibility to travel between all three Trust sites will be essential to provide service support where required.This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to develop specialist skills within a supportive environment and contribute meaningfully to the delivery and development of Respiratory services.

Main duties of the job

o The post holder will work closely with clinical staff to provide a high-quality respiratory service across the Trust.o They will develop, implement, and maintain quality standards within the service.o The post holder will run independent clinics for the assessment and management of patients with respiratory conditions, including asthma, breathlessness, and sleep disorders.o Responsibilities include patient diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up, requiring a high level of autonomy and clinical expertise.o The role may involve significant contributions to:o Follow-up of patients on biologic medications for complex asthma.o Providing direct advice for patients with mild sleep apnoea, helping to reduce reliance on consultant-led clinics.o Supporting and further developing CPET service.o Support expansion of Inpatient Sleep service at Watford

o The post holder must hold a BSc in Clinical Physiology (or equivalent) and be registered with AHCS or eligible for registration. Relevant professional qualifications (Part I and II ARTP) along with substantial training and experience are required.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/

We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-A-11113

Job locations

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will perform a wide range of respiratory investigations, including but not limited to:- Full lung function testing (spirometry, static lung volume, gas transfer)-Exercise oximetry (6MWT, cycle ergometry)- Reversibility testing-Respiratory muscle testing-Challenge tests (e.g., Mannitol, exercise-induced asthma)- Multichannel home sleep study analysis and reporting-Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEX) The postholder will independently record, measure, and monitor physiological changes in patients, delivering accurate, reliable, and reproducible results. The post holder will interpret results and produce precise test reports, including autonomous reporting of CPEX and sleep studies without direct consultant oversight. This requires significant expertise and the ability to make complex clinical decisions. The post holder will ensure the safe use of all equipment, perform required calibrations, and organise maintenance updates as necessary. The post holder will provide supervision, mentorship and clinical support to junior physiologists, trainees and other healthcare professionals, ensuring safe practice, professional development, and maintenance of high clinical standards. This includes supporting competency assessment, with particular emphasis on spirometry quality assurance, in line with ARTP standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will perform a wide range of respiratory investigations, including but not limited to:- Full lung function testing (spirometry, static lung volume, gas transfer)-Exercise oximetry (6MWT, cycle ergometry)- Reversibility testing-Respiratory muscle testing-Challenge tests (e.g., Mannitol, exercise-induced asthma)- Multichannel home sleep study analysis and reporting-Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEX) The postholder will independently record, measure, and monitor physiological changes in patients, delivering accurate, reliable, and reproducible results. The post holder will interpret results and produce precise test reports, including autonomous reporting of CPEX and sleep studies without direct consultant oversight. This requires significant expertise and the ability to make complex clinical decisions. The post holder will ensure the safe use of all equipment, perform required calibrations, and organise maintenance updates as necessary. The post holder will provide supervision, mentorship and clinical support to junior physiologists, trainees and other healthcare professionals, ensuring safe practice, professional development, and maintenance of high clinical standards. This includes supporting competency assessment, with particular emphasis on spirometry quality assurance, in line with ARTP standards.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

  • BSc in Clinical Physiology (Respiratory).
  • BLS
  • ARTP Parts 1 & 2 or equivalent
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages eg PowerPoint, Word, Excel and other IT skills acquired through training and practical experience

Desirable

  • ACHS registration
  • ARTP/ ERS membership

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Experience as a trained physiologist, with a wide range of abilities in performing and reporting respiratory physiology tests.
  • A thorough understanding of respiratory physiology
  • Experience of diagnosing and treating OSA
  • Previous CPET experience
  • Evidence of continual professional development.
  • Attendance of professional scientific meetings and training courses.

Desirable

  • Relevant managerial experience including staff development.
  • Previously undertaken research/ audit
  • Leading CPET tests and independent reporting
Person Specification

Education and qualifications:

Essential

  • BSc in Clinical Physiology (Respiratory).
  • BLS
  • ARTP Parts 1 & 2 or equivalent
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office packages eg PowerPoint, Word, Excel and other IT skills acquired through training and practical experience

Desirable

  • ACHS registration
  • ARTP/ ERS membership

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Experience as a trained physiologist, with a wide range of abilities in performing and reporting respiratory physiology tests.
  • A thorough understanding of respiratory physiology
  • Experience of diagnosing and treating OSA
  • Previous CPET experience
  • Evidence of continual professional development.
  • Attendance of professional scientific meetings and training courses.

Desirable

  • Relevant managerial experience including staff development.
  • Previously undertaken research/ audit
  • Leading CPET tests and independent reporting

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

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Respiratory Physiologist

Alex Newland-Smith

Alex.newland-smith@nhs.net

01442287881

Details

Date posted

09 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year inc HCA

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

360-A-11113

Job locations

Cross Site

Watford

WD18 0HB


Supporting documents

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