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Job summary

Main area
Sleep and Respiratory
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
12 months (Fixed term)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Compressed hours
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
387-MED0581-NG
Employer
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Royal Infirmary
Town
Bristol
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 pa, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
27/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust logo

Lead Clinical Scientist Sleep & Respiratory

NHS AfC: Band 8a

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Click on this link to find out about our values https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/about-us/our-trust-values

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Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sleep and Respiratory Physiologist to lead our Sleep and Lung Function service at Bristol Royal Infirmary. This 12‑month fixed‑term maternity cover offers an excellent opportunity to take on a senior leadership role within a large, specialist service delivering high‑quality diagnostic and therapeutic care to a diverse patient population.

The post combines advanced clinical practice with operational and professional leadership, including oversight of specialist sleep diagnostics, outpatient clinics, service development and staff training. You will work closely with consultant colleagues, operational managers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, efficient and patient‑centred services while supporting the ongoing development of the department.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job include:

  • Provide clinical and operational leadership across the Sleep and Lung Function services
  • Deliver advanced specialist diagnostic testing, interpretation and reporting
  • Lead and run specialist sleep outpatient clinics, including CPAP initiation and follow‑up
  • Line manage and support senior physiologists, trainees and apprentices
  • Drive service development, audit, quality improvement and innovation
  • Work closely with consultant colleagues, operational managers and external partners

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As Department Lead, you will oversee the day‑to‑day running and strategic development of the Sleep and Lung Function services, ensuring safe, efficient and patient‑focused care. Alongside your leadership role, you will maintain a strong hands‑on clinical presence, delivering complex investigations and managing patients across diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. You will champion staff training and development, support workforce planning, contribute to audit and research activity, and play a key role in shaping future service delivery across the Trust.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc/BA in Clinical Physiology or an appropriate subject or equivalent international qualification
  • Minimum 5 years clinical experience post qualification
  • AHCS or HCPC Registered or equivalent
  • Continuing evidence of CPD
  • RPGST/ESRS qualification
Desirable criteria
  • MSc Respiratory Physiology or equivalent
  • Postgraduate qualifications in relevant subject or relevant specialist experience
  • Experience of PTP/STP Assessment programmes
  • Membership of ARTP or BSS

Aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • Work autonomously
  • Deal with exposure to distressing and/or emotional circumstances
  • Analyse, interpret and handle complex and sensitive information where empathic or reassurance skills are required
  • Communicate to a wide range of individuals, including those with physical, sensory or learning difficulties

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Working within a respiratory and sleep-breathing disorders service or a relevant associated field
  • Undertaking analysis and reporting of complex and highly complex advanced specialist assessments, including polysomnography and lung function testing, and providing outcome advice
  • Formal/informal teaching to a range of healthcare practitioners, patients, and patient groups
  • Management/supervision and co-ordination and training of junior and trainee staff and the development of in-house training programmes
  • Independently undertaking sleep outpatient clinics, specifically in the assessment, review and management of new and follow-up patients
  • Working within a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
  • Understanding of RTT and DM01 pathways and targets
  • Evidence of previous service development
  • Performing Lung Function Tests
  • Line management
Desirable criteria
  • Participation in research, service evaluation and clinical audit
  • Evidence of developing service/QI participation
  • Evidence of supporting/ submitting business cases

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ashleigh Harvey
Job title
Deputy Divisional Director - Specialty Medicine
Email address
[email protected]
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