Specialised Cardiac Physiologist, WRH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: All categories of patients within the trust, both in and outpatients, routine and emergencies, ranging from neonates to elderly-care. All levels of Medical, Nursing, Clerical, Ancillary and Engineering personnel.

External: All categories of patients and relatives, general public, technical training advisors. General Practitioners and staff.

The risk of cross infection between patients and post holder.

The risk of contact with blood products during invasive procedures such as TOE and Cardiac Catheters.

Possible risk of needle stick injuries.

Involves manual handling activities e.g. moving patients and equipment.

Frequently working with computer screens and monitoring screens

Involves working in an x-ray environment. E.g. Cardiac Catheter laboratory.

Post involves repetitive tasks, which are subject to injury. E.g. arm, back and eye strain.

Possible risk of verbal and physical abuse.

Frequent exposure to unpleasant conditions e.g. body fluids, secretions, body odours.

Frequent exposure to emotional/ distressing situations ( which occasionally could be highly distressing)

Job Purpose:

To be competent and responsible for carrying out a wide range of complex invasive and non-invasive cardiac investigations including analysis, reporting of results and clinical interpretation. There will be no direct supervision but will refer to a Highly Specialised lead Physiologist or Head of Department for assistance when required. The post will involve supervision and training of staff and will also include some organisational duties to assist with the smooth daily running of the department. To continue to develop skills and knowledge in highly specialised procedures and working towards highly specialised professional accreditation. To operate to Trust, Departmental and professional guidelines and work at all times in a safe and responsible manner. To participate in the on-call rota for PPCI

Key Duties:

Clinical:

Provide Physiologist support during complex devices/permanent pacemaker and implantable loops implants. Analyse complex data and recognise when to re-programme appropriate parameters as per manufacturer and departmental policies and protocols for individual patients at device/pacemaker follow up clinics.

Undertake a Specialised Physiologists role in the invasive PCI service based in the Cardiac Catheter lab. Perform unsupervised monitoring of cardiac haemodynamic, invasive intra-cardiac pressures on clinically high-risk Cardiac patients. Alerting Physician immediately of any changes in parameters. Including preparation and management of balloon pump equipment for insertion of intra-aortic balloon.

Perform as lead Physiologist in Cardiac Physiologist led Exercise Tolerance Tests. (ETTs) Without supervision, analyse and report the results of the procedure, in accordance with national and departmental protocols and procedures.

Provide Physiologist support during medically supervised ETTs.

Prepare, hook up, remove, download, analyse the recordings, providing written reports on 24 hr Ambulatory ECG recorders, Blood Pressure recorders and Cardiac Event recorders, according to the departmental procedures and protocols.

Perform Electrocardiograms on all categories of patients within the trust. Interpret the results and inform the relevant Physician of any adverse abnormalities, as per the departmental protocol and procedure.

Responsible for setting up equipment, preparing and carrying out Tilt table testing for medically and Physiologist supervised investigations.

Develop skills in chosen specialist area i.e CRM +/- Electrophysiology or Echo and work towards accreditation in this area.

Designated responsibility to perform Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation on patients in an emergency situation.

Training and Development:

Undergo training as is deemed necessary to maintain efficient discharge of duties.

Continue professional Development and be responsible for keeping own skills updated.

Undertake all mandatory trust training on an annual basis.

Participate in the teaching and training of members of staff within the department and other medical staff outside of own profession.

Undertake annual Immediate Life support updates.

Work towards accreditation in specialist area and prepare for exam such as BHRS, BSE etc.

Administration and Clerical:

Undertake general clerical and administrative work, to include filing of patient clinical investigation reports carried out within the department.

Conversant with basic computerised databases.

Produce technical reports/comments.

Compile daily statistical records of patient activity.

Assist with the input of clinical activity onto Oasis and the departmental database.

Responsibilities:

Plan and prioritise personal workloads according to daily staffing levels.

Verify written reports of junior members of staff.

Produce technically satisfactory results in accordance with national and departmental protocols and standards.

Communicate complex instructions and clinical information effectively to all categories of patients, ensuring co-operation and compliance to obtain accurate technical and clinical data.

Analyse clinical information and clinical conditions during procedures, whereby judgement is required to determine the appropriate course of action.

Analyse test results and clinical information to judge whether additional parameters need to be recorded.

Ensure patients are monitored appropriately during investigations and ensuring swift and appropriate action is taken to minimize life threatening or significant medical events.

Initiate Basic life Support and Immediate Life support when required.

Responsible for the maintenance, quality assurance and infection control of any equipment used in order to maintain quality standards.

Ensure safe use of specialist / expensive equipment used by self and others. (ultrasound machine £125,000)

Visually and verbally risk assess every patient prior to carrying out any clinical investigation on the patient.

Advise junior medical staff on the availability, selection and appropriateness of test procedures.

Liaise with nursing, medical and paramedic staff regarding patients welfare.

Responsible for minor maintenance, trouble-shoot, quality assurance and infection control of any equipment used in order to maintain quality control.

Be familiar with current developments in the field of Cardiology.

Report all untoward events or uncertainties to the Countywide cardiopulmonary Service Manager

Adhere to all Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Special Requirements:

There will be requirement to participate in the on-call rota for primary PCI based at WRH.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Significant relevant previous experience as a Cardiac Physiologist.
• Previous experience across a broad range of Cardiology investigations.

Desirable

• Previous experience in Echocardiography and Complex PCI

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in Clinical Physiology or equivalent
• Must be prepared to attend training courses appropriate to post

Desirable

• BSE accreditation (working towards)
• BHRS / EHRA / IBHRE Accreditation (working towards)
• SCST (parts 1 & 2) or equivalent
• Current ILS certification.
• Voluntary Registration for RCCP

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

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

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