Job responsibilities
Post Title: Specialist Cardiac Physiologist - Echocardiography
Department: NHS Community Echocardiography and Sports Cardiology -Non-invasive Cardiology
Location: Bexley
Hours: 40 hours per week
Accountable to: Clinical Director
Responsible to: Lead Echocardiographer and Directors
Key Purpose of Role
- To ensure the provision of a quality echo service in the Community and for our sports cardiology clients
- To take specific responsibility for the development of a one stop echo service for patients attending cardiology appointments in the community setting
- To provide teaching and support to other members of the department learning echocardiography
- To work co-operatively and collaboratively with members of other professions and disciplines, ensuring the provision of a progressive learning environment for all staff
- To contribute to the professional leadership of the technical staff within the service
- To actively encourage and develop a multidisciplinary approach to all PML services
RESPONSIBILITIES
Departmental
- To carry out diagnostic echocardiography and report clinical echo studies independently and promptly to British Society of Echocardiography latest standards
- To carry out when required 12 lead resting ECG, occasional Fitting of 24hr, 48hr, 7 day Holter ECG, and 24hr BP. The ability to analyse 24hr/48hr/7day ECG would be desirable. Where needed certified training will be given
- To report on and code 12 Lead Resting ECG, 24hr Ambulatory Blood Pressure and 24hr, 48hr, 7 day Holter ECG’s To assist in monitoring stock levels of consumables and technical equipment.
- To promote a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care within the Company, ensuring a patient-centered approach to care
- To actively encourage the development of innovative practices within the department
- To participate in research projects as required and overseen by the Lead Echocardiographer
Educational
- To provide guidance and support to junior staff delivering the service
- To assist in setting protocols and standards of care for echo patients within the service
- To assist in echocardiography education in company MDT meetings
- To maintain own proficiency in echocardiography and other technical skills and ensure that own mandatory training certificates are current
- To participate in his/her own Performance Review and actively participate in own continuing professional development
Managerial
- To assist the service manager in the smooth running of the service
- To monitor waiting list times for echo studies, ensuring waiting times are minimised
- To ensure any delays or shortfalls in service are promptly reported to the service manager and assist in taking remedial action
- To assist in the recruitment of clinical staff if technical and professionally appropriate
- To assist the management team in ensuring that all staff receive regular mandatory training as set out in Company policy
- To support the service manager in implementing Company initiatives and strategies within the care group
- To manage own time to ensure balance between clinical and administrative activities
Professional
The post holder has a general duty of care for the health, safety and well-being of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the Company accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act of 1974 and all other relevant legislation in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post
- The post holder will carry out their duties with due regard to the Company’s Human Resources Policy Instructions and other relevant Policies of the Company
- To observe the rules, policies and procedures of the Company and its Customers
- To maintain satisfactory personal performance and quality standards and to achieve where possible objectives agreed in the Annual Staff Appraisal system
- To ensure that acceptable standards of data protection are maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and staff information: any unauthorised breach of confidentiality may result in disciplinary action
- The post holder should be member of the British Society of Echocardiography and have current Adult Proficiency and be registered with RCCP
- Echocardiogram studies should include a full study as per BSE guidelines, but not be limited to:
- Parasternal long axis
- Parasternal short axis
- Apical four chamber
- Apical two chamber
- Apical three chamber
- Subcostal and suprasternal.
- All views should include colour, Doppler and measurements
- Diastolic function should be assessed for patients between 35 and 75 where possible.
Information Governance
All employees of Physiological Measurements Ltd must comply with company Information Governance Framework policies. Mandatory annual Information Governance training must be completed by all staff
Records Management
All employees of Physiological Measurements Ltd are responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Company, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails. Employees are required to be conversant with our policy and procedure on records management and to seek advice if in doubt
Environmental Cleaning Strategy
All Company staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public
Infection Prevention and Control
Physiological Measurements Ltd is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff. This includes:-
- Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times:
- Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
- Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
- Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
- Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
- Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately ie cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised
