Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Associate Sleep Practitioner to join the Dorset Sleep Service which providesSleep Diagnostics for patients in catchment to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester and CPAP Therapy for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea across the entire county.
The successful candidate must be able to travel to different sites around the county, including occasional cover days in Weymouth and Dorchester, however their main base will be in the East of Dorset where the Sleep Service will soon be temporarily occupying space at St Leonard's Hospital in Ringwood while more permanent accommodation is sought in Bournemouth or Poole.
The role is full-time during office hours; flexible working is available, and job-sharing would be considered. Full training - including working towards nationally recognised professional qualifications - will be provided, with clear career progression pathways within the service.
Main duties of the job
The job will consist of issuing and downloading sleep study devices; monitoring a live database of CPAP patients' treatment and escalating any issues to senior staff; receiving and recording phone calls and emails from CPAP patients; setting out CPAP equipment for collection; and undertaking routine clinical and administrative duties such as cleaning equipment, updating patient records, and filing.
We're looking for someone with 5 GCSEs including English and Maths, and a Level 3 qualification (e.g. A-Level, AS-level, NVQ3, BTEC); with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues; good IT skills in Microsoft Office and ability to learn to use specialist software; good attention to detail, organisation, and time management; and who is enthusiastic about providing excellent healthcare to a wide range of patients. A background in healthcare would be beneficial but is not necessary; our team has people with a wide range of previous experiences. We recommend familiarising yourself with the basics of sleep studies, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, and CPAP therapy to gain a better understanding of the role.
About us
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff where they feel valued and are given opportunities to progress.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Dorset Sleep Service opened in Autumn 2023 and provides diagnostic sleep studies for patients in catchment to Dorset County Hospital, and CPAP treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea for Dorsets entire population of around 380,000 residents. We perform around 1,700 sleep studies a year and are in the process of taking over the care of about 5,000 patients already on CPAP therapy; we expect this to rise to about 2,000 sleep studies a year and over 8,000 CPAP patients over the next five years.
The team will consist of Administrators, Sleep Practitioners at Associate, Practitioner, and Senior level, a Head of Department, and is overseen by a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine. We are open mostly during office hours, with potential scope for early starts/late ends and possibly some weekends to support Flexible Working in the future (we have no plans for night shifts yet). The department is currently based at Vespasian House in Dorchester, but from July 2025 will be moving to two new sites: one in Weymouth, and a temporary site in Ringwood until we find a permanent premises in either Bournemouth or Poole.
The Service is still fresh and new, and almost all staff have joined it with no previous experience in Sleep Medicine; we hope to train and develop staff to further their careers within the Sleep Service wherever we can. We value collaboration towards continual improvement, innovation and new ways of thinking to solve problems and you will be an integral part of creating and refining responsive and effective procedures. We aim to create a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone colleagues and patients alike are treated with respect and consideration.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Dorset Sleep Service opened in Autumn 2023 and provides diagnostic sleep studies for patients in catchment to Dorset County Hospital, and CPAP treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea for Dorsets entire population of around 380,000 residents. We perform around 1,700 sleep studies a year and are in the process of taking over the care of about 5,000 patients already on CPAP therapy; we expect this to rise to about 2,000 sleep studies a year and over 8,000 CPAP patients over the next five years.
The team will consist of Administrators, Sleep Practitioners at Associate, Practitioner, and Senior level, a Head of Department, and is overseen by a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine. We are open mostly during office hours, with potential scope for early starts/late ends and possibly some weekends to support Flexible Working in the future (we have no plans for night shifts yet). The department is currently based at Vespasian House in Dorchester, but from July 2025 will be moving to two new sites: one in Weymouth, and a temporary site in Ringwood until we find a permanent premises in either Bournemouth or Poole.
The Service is still fresh and new, and almost all staff have joined it with no previous experience in Sleep Medicine; we hope to train and develop staff to further their careers within the Sleep Service wherever we can. We value collaboration towards continual improvement, innovation and new ways of thinking to solve problems and you will be an integral part of creating and refining responsive and effective procedures. We aim to create a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone colleagues and patients alike are treated with respect and consideration.
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- 5 GCSEs including English and Maths
- 1 level 3 qualification (A-Level, AS-Level, NVQ3, BTEC, etc)
Desirable
- 1 level 5 qualification (DipHE, foundation degree, HND, etc) or suitable workplace experience
- Basic Life Support Training
- Healthcare, Science or Technology qualifications
- ARTP Pulse Oximetry & Polygraphy Certificate
- ARTP Associate CPAP Practitioner Certificate
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Basic understanding of sleep studies, OSA, and CPAP therapy
- Experience of working in a respiratory, sleep medicine, or ventilation service
- Excellent IT skills
Desirable
- Proficient with Microsoft Office
- Familiar with sleep study and/or CPAP equipment
- Familiar with sleep study and/or CPAP software
- Experience in customer service
- Experience of stock control
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Holds or willing to work towards gaining required professional qualifications
- Able to adapt communication approach to suit situation
- Good organisation and attention to detail
- Able to prioritise own workload
Desirable
- Innovative and creative approach to problem solving
- Able to apply learning and experience to new situations
- Enthusiastic about developing a new service
- Good fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
- Able to travel to work at other sites across Dorset
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications & Training
Essential
- 5 GCSEs including English and Maths
- 1 level 3 qualification (A-Level, AS-Level, NVQ3, BTEC, etc)
Desirable
- 1 level 5 qualification (DipHE, foundation degree, HND, etc) or suitable workplace experience
- Basic Life Support Training
- Healthcare, Science or Technology qualifications
- ARTP Pulse Oximetry & Polygraphy Certificate
- ARTP Associate CPAP Practitioner Certificate
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Basic understanding of sleep studies, OSA, and CPAP therapy
- Experience of working in a respiratory, sleep medicine, or ventilation service
- Excellent IT skills
Desirable
- Proficient with Microsoft Office
- Familiar with sleep study and/or CPAP equipment
- Familiar with sleep study and/or CPAP software
- Experience in customer service
- Experience of stock control
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Holds or willing to work towards gaining required professional qualifications
- Able to adapt communication approach to suit situation
- Good organisation and attention to detail
- Able to prioritise own workload
Desirable
- Innovative and creative approach to problem solving
- Able to apply learning and experience to new situations
- Enthusiastic about developing a new service
- Good fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
- Able to travel to work at other sites across Dorset
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
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Weymouth (Linden Unit) and Ringwood (St. Leonards Hospital)
Main site address; Respiratory Medicine, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
Employer's website
https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)
