Heart Valve Disease Physiology Lead

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:

The physiologist led valve clinic will be run under the supervision of the nominated Consultant Cardiologist

To be BSE (British Society of Echocardiography) accredited, work as an independent practitioner performing and reporting good quality echocardiograms in line with national and departmental guidelines.

To be able to perform a cardiac clinical assessment (e.g. chest auscultation, detection of heart sounds, BP, ECG, heart failure signs etc). Where necessary training and ongoing development of clinical assessment skills will be provided

To analyse clinical information and clinical conditions during consultations with completion of detailed and accurate written reports.

To report changes in patients conditions and where appropriate exercise good clinical judgement to expedite findings by discussing with the relevant Cardiologist, or by letter generated to the Consultant asking for review.

To develop and co-ordinate a dedicated Valve MDT to discuss cases and plan management via liaising with other health professionals, including specialist nursing teams, GPs and Consultant Cardiologists.

To build a database of valve disease patients for audit, governance and learning objectives. This may be shared locally, across the ICB and within the Cardiac Network.

To monitor and audit the service to assess progress and the potential needs to adapt to internal/external stimulus.

To discuss treatment options with patient including good health promotion for endocarditis prophylaxis.

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

To provide technical expertise, supervision, support and training to junior and medical staff.

To amend and validate junior physiologists echocardiogram reports

To visual and verbal risk-assess every patient prior to carrying out any clinical investigations.

To initiate Basic Life Support and Immediate Life Support when required

To ensure safe use of specialist / expensive equipment used by self and others

To report all untoward events or uncertainties to the Head of Department

To work at all times in a safe and responsible manner

To plan and prioritise personal workloads according to daily staffing levels

To advise junior medical staff on the availability, selection and appropriateness of test procedures

This post has no budgetary responsibility

This role is countywide, and you will be expected to travel to all sites within the Trust.

Key Duties:

Clinical Duties:

To perform unsupervised Cardiac Ultrasound examinations to diagnose Cardiac abnormalities.

To provide clinical interpretation and high technical expertise on Cardiac Ultrasound scans performed by self and junior members of staff, in accordance with the BSE standards, guidelines and departmental protocols and policies.

Acting appropriately in the event of significant adverse findings, alerting physicians when immediate medical attention is required.

Perform clinical assessment on each HVD patient, paying particular attention to the following: Increasing shortness of breath, decreasing effort tolerance, evidence of heart failure such as leg swelling, raised JVP, pulmonary oedema, palpitations, new AF.

Identification of patients whose clinical picture presents with moderate or severe valve disease in order to access early treatment and intervention pathways

To take responsibility to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation on patients in an emergency.

Awareness of adverse clinical conditions/clinical events occurring during the investigations and ensuring swift and appropriate action is taken to minimise life threatening or significant medical events.

To be familiar with current developments in the field of Cardiology.

To liaise with other departments and Companies regarding maintenance and repairs to existing equipment within the department.

To liaise in conjunction with the Head of Department, regarding evaluation of new clinical equipment.

Research and Development:

The post holder will oversee Trust, department and individual projects related to Echocardiography with a commitment to research based clinical practice

Apply to and remain active with the national competency-based Heart Valve Disease register

To collate and present audit data pertinent to the Physiologist led Echocardiography Heart Valve Disease patient pathway

To collate and present audit data pertinent to echocardiography provision, training pathways and cardiology OP (e.g. cancellations, clinical information e.g. readmissions) and be instrumental in ensuring any remedial action plans are implemented.

Contribute and lead on research within the field of Heart Valve Disease alongside Consultant and specialist nursing multidisciplinary team members

Research and review new and upcoming equipment and technology with the Echocardiography service to ensure compliance with guidelines

Plan and prepare business cases and cost saving initiatives within the Echocardiography service whilst work alongside Echo service lead and department manager

Managerial:

To participate in formulating departmental policies to develop the Heart Valve Disease service, procedures and protocols in conjunction with the Echo lead and Head of Department

Undertake new initiatives to improve the patient clinical service. On the direction of the Head of Department take the lead role for service developments in agreed areas

To work with the Head of department in setting, maintaining, monitoring and auditing quality and technical standards within the department

To maintain processes in place to monitor the Countywide scheduling and prevention of cancellation of operations/procedures/tests, initiating any action plans that will assist the service to meet Corporate and Government targets

Educational:

Provide support for trainees on the ETP, STP and PTP including regular individual meetings (online or in person) with all trainees to identify progression challenges and opportunities, resulting in achievable individualised objectives and learning pathways

Provide education/training in and around work-based elements of Echocardiography Programmes using a variety of resources, including online, simulator and face to face learning

Support echo training in cooperation with partner organisations within the region

Identify learning opportunities and work with employers to enable trainees to access these

Continue to support B7 echocardiographers post qualification with CPD, reaccreditation and training in new techniques and new technologies designed to support delivery of the echo service

Training and Staff development:

To provide high technical expertise in teaching, training and supervising all grades of staff within the department and the trust.

To continue Professional Development and be responsible for keeping own skills updated, including BSE re-accreditation and Intermediate Life Support.

To undergo such training as is deemed necessary to maintain efficient discharge of duties.

To undertake all Trust mandatory training on an annual basis.

Administration and Clerical:

To undertake clerical duties and maintain records concerning all aspects of investigations carried out within the department.

To be conversant with computerised databases.

To produce technical reports/comments.

To compile daily statistical records of patient activity.

To assist with the input of clinical activity onto Oasis and the departmental databases

Special Requirements:

There will be a need to travel to other hospitals within the Trust to carry out duties.

Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment:

As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role.

Applicants will be prompted in the application form to declare if they wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, and their response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.

If you have any queries about expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please contact Rob Saunders (HR Manager - Recruitment) in confidence via email robert.saunders1@nhs.net

As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Highly developed experience in applying theoretical knowledge into patient care
• Extensive practical experience in all areas of echocardiography including specialist areas such as stress, bubbles, TOE, DSE at a level of independent practice including investigation, interpretation, reporting and recommending alternative investigations
• Knowledge of all non-invasive and invasive procedures and their interpretation
• Dexterity and coordination required for use of range of diagnostic equipment
• Computer literate

Desirable

• Ability to undertake research and audit as a contributor
• Reporting of KPI to track effectiveness of service, measurable goals and patient pathways
• Advanced critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills
• Previous clinical supervision and training of junior members of staff and other medical personnel
• Advanced clinical leadership

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Clinical physiology or equivalent
• British Society of Echocardiography accreditation
• ILS certificate
• Training/Assessment qualification

Desirable

• Masters degree or equivalent study in Advanced Clinical Assessment, Cardiology, Ultrasound
• ALS
• Registration for AHCS/HCPC

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience as a Highly Specialised Cardiac Physiologist
• Highly specialised and advanced knowledge of Echocardiography
• Experience of providing training and assessment
• MDT and clinical meetings

Desirable

• Patient consultation, history taking and physical assessment skills
• Supervision of staff
• Teaching and development of staff
• Clinical handover of patient cases to consultants /GP /nursing teams

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)