Specialist Cardiac Physiologist- Echocardiography Band 7

Job responsibilities

LIVERPOOL HEART & CHEST HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST JOB DESCRIPTION POST:Highly specialised cardiac physiologist (Echocardiography) BANDING:Band 7 ACCOUNTABLE TO:Lead physiologist in Echocardiography JOB SUMMARY To provide experienced and multi-skilled hands-on participation in the complete range of Echocardiography investigations provided by Liverpool heart & Chest Hospital. To provide support for specialist echo techniques including stress and contrast echo. To provide support for Transoesophageal echo and other invasive procedures. To assist the Echo lead in designated management aspects of the Echo department To provide training and assessments to other members of staff of various grades within the given specialty areas. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS Competent to perform the complete range of non-invasive cardiac testing. At least 3 years post basic qualification experience in technical cardiology. HNC MPPM or BSc Clinical Physiology, or equivalent academic Qualification/experience. BSE accreditation or equivalent Prior internal/external experience in delivering teaching material and providing training to others Proven communication skills. Proven people management skills. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Provide specialised technical expertise to the area of echocardiography. Performs highly specialised diagnostic cardiac physiological testing on patients to aid clinical diagnosis without supervision. Demonstrates empathy when dealing with patients in distressing conditions. Independently interprets results and provides factual reports for highly specialised diagnostic cardiac investigations Performs necessary adjustments to devices which directly affect patients clinical environment. Communicates effectively and advises both clinical and non-clinical staff regarding outcomes of diagnostic investigations. Undertakes supervision & training for Clinical staff, Trainee Cardiac Physiologists and other allied health professionals. Within their designated area assists the lead physiologist in implementing departmental strategies to ensure continuing development of patient-focused services in line with activity targets and the requirements of the Directorate. Assists lead physiologist in monitoring and maintaining quality of services within designated section. Ensures that individual own level of practice is kept up to date. Demonstrates active participation in clinical audit, and R&D activities. Has awareness of future implications for development of current Cardiology services. Works throughout a number of areas recognising all aspects of infection control measures needed for each specific clinical area. Works within a multidiscipline environment abiding to strict regulations regarding radiation and protection from radiation. Ensures all appropriate health and safety measures are taken when dealing with patients body fluids. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE / MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Assists in formulating staff training & development strategies to promote retention & recruitment of high quality Cardiac Physiologists. Performs staff appraisals within a cascade system. Ensures good communication within the department Actively promotes Cardiac Diagnostics, inside and outside the trust. Ensures that clinical governance and clinical risk management are integrated into systems of patient care. Helps to develop benchmarks for best practice alongside other hospitals. Participate in service development/training initiatives with colleagues in referring district general hospitals. Contributes and aids implementation of departmental policies & procedures. Assists in planning & prioritising own duties as well as sharing responsibility for day to day organisation of service needs. Involvement with organisation of weekly service roster for department. Actively promotes self-development in specific areas of management in communication with PCP. Ensure that confidentiality of patients records is strictly maintained and complies with the Data Protection Act. Recognise peoples equality, diversity and rights. Feedback information on complaints / accidents / incidents to the PCP. Communicates with other departments involved in supporting the service (I.e. domestics, porters, etc). HEALTH & SAFETY All staff will: Have responsibility for the safe management of the department and ensure the safety of others is not affected by the departments activities. Liaise with the Trust adviser and ensure that any advice is implemented. Ensure the Trust and departmental safety policies, arrangements, assessments etc. are maintained and made available for staff and that they are adhered to. Identify and assess risks to themselves and others. Carry out safety inspections and ensure remedial actions are taken. Ensure accidents are reported and recorded. Report to their line managers any identified actions to ensure Health and Safety that cannot be affected within their resources. CONFIDENTIALITY All employees must adhere to policies and procedures relating to Information Governance, Confidentiality and Information Security. RISK MANAGEMENT The Trust is committed to approaching the control of risks in a strategic and organised manner. The postholder must be aware of their individual responsibilities as detailed in the Trusts Risk Management, Health & Safety and Incident policies, and those under the Health and Safety at Work Act. This includes the reporting of any untoward incident, accident, potential or actual hazard identified. SAFEGUARDING All staff are required to be familiar with the arrangements for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and support the organisation in promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Staff working directly with children, young people and vulnerable adults will have a responsibility to ensure safeguarding and promoting their welfare forms an integral part of their duties. Staff who come into contact with children, vulnerable adults, parents and carers in the course of their work and/or have access to records will have responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Staff who come into contact in the course of their duties, with parents, carers or other significant adults or children, young people and vulnerable adults should always be mindful of safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of these individuals. HEALTH AND WELLBEING The Trust is a Health Promoting Hospital. The Trust expects that when you are presented with opportunities to improve the lifestyle of our patients you seek help from appropriately trained clinical staff to ensure patients are supported and assisted in making the necessary lifestyle changes. This is in accordance with best practice as described in the DoH white paper Choosing Health Making Healthy Choices Easier. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is committed to achieving equal opportunities. All employees are expected to observe this policy in relation to the public and fellow employees. All staff are expected to adhere to, and act in accordance with, the values & behaviours of the Trust. This document is intended to be used as a guide to the general scope of duties involved in this post. It is not exhaustive and should not therefore be used as a rigid specification. It will be kept under review and amended as required in consultation with the postholder.

Qualifications

Essential

• ONC BTEC MPPM or Equivalent.
• HNC HTEC MPPM or Equivalent.
• BSc Clinical Physiology
• Voluntary Registered with RCCP
• BSE accreditation or equivalent

Desirable

• ILS/ALS

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of on-going personal development
• Proven experience and expert knowledge in Echocardiography
• Competent to perform full range of echocardiographic procedures.
• Evidence of prior management responsibilities
• Importance of confidentiality
• Health and Safety

Desirable

• Active Membership of BSE
• Computer skills ECDL etc.
• NHS management training/experience in recruitment, disciplinary procedures, sickness absence etc
• Personal development in areas of Leadership.

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of on-going personal development
• Proven experience and expert knowledge in Echocardiography
• Competent to perform full range of echocardiographic procedures.
• Evidence of prior management responsibilities
• Importance of confidentiality
• Health and Safety

Desirable

• Active Membership of BSE
• Computer skills ECDL etc.
• NHS management training/experience in recruitment, disciplinary procedures, sickness absence etc
• Personal development in areas of Leadership.

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Good team working skills
• Take responsibility for accurate work
• Work under pressure
• Work to deadlines
• Ability to organise work rotas
• Monitoring and training junior members of staff and other health care providers.

Values and behaviours

Essential

• Dynamic
• Enthusiastic
• Team Worker
• Leader
• Flexibility
• Excellent communicator
• Patient Focused

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).