The friendly Cardiac Investigations team at Worthing are looking to appoint a permanent full-time Chief Cardiac Physiologist with a specialist interest in CRM and Cath Lab to assist in providing a high quality, patient centred, Cardiac Investigations service.
Main duties of the job
* To assist in the delivery of a high quality CRM and Cath Lab Service
* To undertake and perform cardiac investigations independently to a high level, interpret results and provide reports for Physicians
* To assist in the day-to-day running of the department
* To undertake supervision and training of staff and healthcare professionals
* To role model the Trust's values, Patient First approach, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and inclusive leadership
Job description
Job responsibilities
* Communications and Relationship skills
o To communicate complex information to staff both medical and non-medical
o To be able to provide comprehensive reports on all tests undertaken
o To communicate effectively with patients, to obtain their consent and cooperation, including patients with physical/learning disabilities, children of confused patients
o To communicate effectively with relatives of patients
o To develop good working relationships with other departments within the Trust.
* Analytical and Judgemental skills
o To inform hospital maintenance or appropriate services engineer if a fault is discovered
* Planning and Organisational skills
o To take part in the day-to-day running of the department including allocating duties to junior staff
o To deputise in the running of the department in the absence of Head of Department and deputy Head of Department
o Plan and prioritise own workload
o Contribute to development of procedures and any changes within the department
* Patient/Client Care
o To promote a pleasant and efficient image during all dealings with internal and external organisations
* Policy and Service Development Implementation
o To observe Health & Safety procedures and Fire Regulations
* Human Resources (inc. developing and delivering training)
o To be responsible for own continuing personal and professional development
o To assist with continuing education for technical staff as directed by Head of Department
o To take part in the day-to-day clinical supervision of other members of staff including students, Senior Assistant Technical Officers and Assistant Technical Officers
o To take part in specialist training of clinical staff
* Information Resources
o To be responsible for data entry on all patient information systems
o To provide clinical reports on a broad range of cardiac investigations
o To have an awareness of information systems across the organisation
* Professional (not included in any of the above factors)
o To take on other duties as directed by Head of Department with regards to stock control, departmental schedules, Health & Safety, monitoring and any other role required for the smooth running of the department
* Clinical
Routine Technical Duties
o ECGs performing ECGs on adults and paediatrics, ensuring accuracy and the highest standard of legibility both in the department and on the wards. To have a working knowledge of all means available to reduce artefact and baseline wander. A full knowledge of interpretation and the ability to write a comprehensive report is essential
o Ambulatory monitoring to be able to connect equipment to patient to ensure a good quality ECG recording. To be aware of how to reduce artefact. To instruct patient in the use of the equipment. To analyse results and write comprehensive reports to enable clinical decisions to be made by medical staff regarding patient treatment
o Cardiac Arrest to be fully conversant with emergency cardiac arrest procedure as required, including defibrillation. To be able to maintain concentration and composure in stressful situations
o Echocardiography to perform echocardiography studies and provide comprehensive reports. To record images of cardiac structures in both 2D and M Mode. To perform and recognise the implications of Pulse Wave and Continuous Wave Doppler studies. To have highly developed skills to manipulate the machinery to obtain the best possible images and traces required. To be fully conversant with all structural abnormalities to enable appropriate views to be recorded. To be able to interpret test results. To be able to carry out studies in the cardiac department and also perform portable studies on the wards, including I.T.U and H.D.U., theatres, theatre recovery and A& E when required. To be able to obtain the best studies under difficult conditions e.g. patients in isolation, when exposed to unpleasant body odours and bodily secretions or confused/angry patients. To be able to maintain concentration and composure under difficult conditions.
o Full Report to be able to provide a written comprehensive report on the above.
o Permanent Pacemaker/ICD/CRT Implantation To assist the implanting Physician to correctly position the pacing wire by taking various electrical measurements during the surgical procedure. To monitor patient well being and safety throughout the procedure. To be able to recognise the implications of abnormal results or readings measured/monitored during the procedure and advise the physician of the same. To be able to recognise and deal with acute situations which involve the need for external pacing, defibrillation and/or C.P.R. To be able to maintain concentration and composure in stressful situations. Working in this environment will involve exposure to X-Rays and the wearing of heavy lead coats.
o Pacemaker/ICD/CRT Programming and follow-up clinics To lead pacemaker clinics. To re-programme pacemaker parameters to ensure maximum patient safety and comfort. To be able to recognise and act upon abnormal findings. To be aware of patient condition and call for physician assistance when necessary. To be able to use a range of pacemaker programmers and have a working knowledge of the various manufacturers and types of pacemakers. To be aware of replacement and end of life indicators and characteristics and put them on the appropriate waiting list for generator replacement when necessary. To communicate results of checks to GPs and other medical staff. To cause minimal distress and reassure patients when describing pacing function and possible problems. To be able to maintain concentration for potentially long periods of time whilst carrying out pacemaker clinics. To keep up to date with new technologies and techniques. To attend training courses as necessary when staffing levels allow.
o Exercise ECGs To be clinical lead in treadmill tests. To ensure that all current local and national guidelines regarding technician led exercise testing are adhered to. To ensure the treadmill test is appropriate prior to commencing. To monitor patient condition and ECG throughout test. To analyse the information acquired during the procedure and terminate test when appropriate in order to obtain the best result whilst monitoring safety and comfort. To be aware of procedures for Cardiac arrest and other emergencies. To be trained to use a defibrillator in the case of an arrest.
o Cardiac Catheter Laboratory To be responsible for setting up and correctly calibrating pressure monitoring equipment for use during cardiac catheters and other angiographic procedures. To monitor and record blood pressure and ECG throughout procedures and inform physician of any significant changes. To be conversant with Cardiac Arrest procedures in the catheter laboratory. To be able to concentrate for potentially long periods of time during catheter sessions. To be prepared to take on new procedures such as new intervention techniques and Electrophysiology studies. To organise and receive training in same as necessary. To be able to maintain concentration and composure in stressful situations. Working in this environment will involve exposure to X-Rays and the wearing of heavy lead coats.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* BSc Clinical Physiology, BSc Healthcare Science or equivalent
Desirable
* Current ILS/ALS
Professional Registration
Desirable
* Registration with RCCP or AHCS
* BHRS/IHBRE Accreditation
Experience
Essential
* Evidence of CPD
* Ability to independently perform a wide range of investigations
Desirable
* Evidence of formal/informal teaching experience
* Minimum of 2 years experience Band 6
* Evidence of supervisory experience
* Evidence of high degree of clinical acumen in related fields
Personal Qualities
Essential
* Evidence of effective teamwork
* Evidence of ability to prioritise and manage own workload
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address
Worthing Hospital
Lyndhurst Road
Worthing
BN11 2DH
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