Job overview

The Cardiology department at the Bedford Hospital is seeking to recruit a Band 3 Senior Cardiology Assistant to support our existing team. We are a supportive, dynamic and friendly team, which is continuously expanding and developing the services that we offer.

Our Cardiology Assistants play a vital role in the delivery of our cardiology services, undertaking a range of clinical and clerical duties. This role will require post holders to undertake a number of non-invasive cardiology investigations, including performing 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG’s), and fitting ambulatory Holter and blood pressure monitors. The post holder will also assist in supporting Cardiac Physiologists and Cardiologists in the delivery of the echocardiography service. Training of junior members and student/trainee associate and cardiac physiologists is also required. Administrative duties, for instance, booking clinics, managing waiting lists, coding, phoning patients, distributing patient results and maintaining stock (among others) is also involved in this role.

Our service users come from a variety of cultural backgrounds; and so the successful Cardiology Assistant must be able to communicate effectively. The successful candidate will also need to be flexible to the changing needs of the department, as well as demonstrate a willingness to learn to further develop their knowledge and skills.

Main duties of the job

1.    To lead and be responsible for conducting ambulatory clinics to fit ECG Holters, BP monitors and loop recorders on both inpatients and outpatients, and to assist with the collection of inpatient ambulatory monitors.

2.    To lead and be responsible for conducting clinics of 12-lead ECG’s to high standards of quality set out by the Society for Cardiological Science and Technology (SCST). To be able to provide a preliminary ECG analysis in order to identify urgent abnormalities that need to be escalated.

3.    To be responsible for organizing and booking clinics, ensuring the waiting list for these tests is adequately managed.

4.    To support Cardiac Physiologists and Cardiologists in the delivery of the echocardiography service in both outpatient and inpatient settings. 

5.    To be responsible for maintaining adequate levels of stock and to order materials when necessary.

6. To undertake cleaning of clinical rooms and clinical equipment as and when required/or under the instruction of a Physiologist.

7. To transport patients from Cardiology to various areas within the hospital, i.e. outpatients and inpatients in line with Trust Policies. 

8. To act as a chaperone for any cardiac investigation.

9. To perform general clerical duties that may be associated with the efficient running of the department area, including data entry, telephoning patients, booking clinics and dealing with post.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.