Apprentice Associate Physiologist (Respiratory Physiology)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical - Respiratory Physiology:

Performs a range of routine procedures subject to indirect supervision, which requires a high level of theoretical knowledge and developed skills, on patients of all ages in a variety of locations to obtain high quality diagnostic information. The range of routine investigations of respiratory function will be:

• Dynamic Lung Volumes
• Maximal flow volume curves
• Response to inhaled bronchodilators
• Static Lung Volumes by Nitrogen Washout, Helium Dilution or Whole Body Plethysmography
• Transfer Factor for Carbon Monoxide using the Single Breath Technique
• Assessment of blood gas status via pulse oximetry
• Setup of Overnight Oximetry
• Setup of multichannel cardio-respiratory sleep studies

Tests adult patients with a wide age range in a variety of locations. This will involve communicating complex instructions and clinical information effectively to patients of all ages and relatives to ensure cooperation and compliance and to obtain accurate technical and clinical data. This may be when the patient shows poor understanding (e.g. with language barriers, hearing and/or visual impairment, impaired mental state), when there may be some hostility (e.g. confused and aggressive patients) or when persuasive and motivational skills may be required with patients reluctant to undergo investigations.

Assists with specialist investigations such as:

• Multi-Channel Sleep Studies
• LTOT & Ambulatory Oxygen Assessments
• Produces accurate technical notes on the tests performed
• Performs all investigations according to relevant national and international professional and departmental guidelines at all times
• Collects and records calibration and quality control data

Desired skills

• Effective, confident communicator
• Able to work effectively in environments with particular reference to emergency conditions and situations
• Able to take day to day delegated responsibility for busy clinical services with competing priorities
• Sound organisational skills
• Able to speak, understand and receive instructions in English without risk of misunderstanding
• Communication skills for customer facing work
• Ability to communicate at all levels
• Excellent listening skills
• Be able to use a standard key board proficiently
• Maintain a positive working environment
• To be able to work as part of a multi-professional team
• Work to deadlines and prioritise work accordingly
• To be able to handle telephone enquiries, to take detailed messages and in the redirection of calls
• Advise and redirect enquiries to relevant staff/team
• Able to deal with several on-going tasks

Personal Qualities

• Ability to act professionally at all times
• Attention to detail is paramount with an ability to work accurately at all times
• Motivated, calm and objective
• Excellent interpersonal skills, approachable and tactful
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Be able to work as part of a team
• Able to use their initiative
• Understands and adheres to their own designated limits of authority
• The ability to deliver a quality service

Desired qualifications/ Qualifications Required

• An interest in science and GCSE Grade B (Grade 6) or above is required
• GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics & English at Level 2/GCSE grade A-C (4-9 under new GCSE grading system) and a science at Grade B or above
• Please do not apply unless you have exam certificates to evidence these grades
• A Levels or a Level 3 science qualification an advantage

Future prospects

On successful completion of this apprenticeship you will have the opportunity to progress to a permanent position within the department.

Those who successfully gain substantive employment with the Trust will have the opportunity to progress on to higher level standards and further education, where appropriate.

Things to consider

Please only apply if you can evidence our entry requirements.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an Information and assessment session prior to interview.

Questions for candidates

First question

Explain what skills and qualities you can bring to this Healthcare Sciences apprenticeship role?

Second question

Have you completed an apprenticeship before?

Training to be provided

• On the job training to be provided in the workplace by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust Corporate Mandatory Training (Health and Safety, Lifting and Handling, Infection Control, etc.)
• Healthcare Science Associate Standard and 20% Off the Job training delivered by Halesowen College of Further Education through blended learning in the workplace. You will be expected to attend Halesowen College for certain training elements on a weekly basis.
• Expected duration 24-27 months to allow for End Point Assessment
• Apprenticeship standard
• Healthcare science associate

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE Mathematics & English at Level 2/GCSE grade AC (4-9 under new GCSE grading system) and a Science at Grade 'B' or above

Desirable

• ARTP Associate Level - Professional Body Qualification

Experience

Desirable

• Prior experience in a patient facing or customer facing role.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Effective, confident communicator
• Able to take day to day delegated responsibility for busy clinical services with competing priorities
• Sound Organisational skills
• Able to work effectively in environments with particular reference to emergency conditions and situations.

Communication skills

Essential

• Able to communicate complex instructions effectively to adult patients over a wide age range and relatives to ensure cooperation and compliance, to obtain accurate technical data.
• Able to use a variety of forms of communication including face to face, telephone, email, internal meetings.
• Be able to speak, receive and issue instructions in English concerning patients and others without risk of misunderstanding.
• Able to handle complaints, face to face, in a non-confrontational manner.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Address

Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

Dudley Road

Birmingham

B18 7QH

Employer's website

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