Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical Support
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Limited Funding)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 309-UCLH-6407
- Employer
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCLH
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £44,806 - £53,134 Per annum inclusive of HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- Today at 23:59
Employer heading

Clinical Autonomic Practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 6
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Job overview
We are pleased to invite applicants for this rare opportunity to apply for a 1 year fixed term post as Clinical Autonomic Scientist/Researcher. The clinical autonomic scientist/ researcher is expected to have a specialist interest in autonomic diseases in particular multi-disciplinary care in a major centre of excellence.
The Autonomic Unit has pioneered the translation of autonomic research into clinical practice in the UK and worldwide, and is closely involved in national, European and international autonomic and neurological societies, and in International Consensus Groups and Task Forces providing guidelines and policy. Clinical Autonomic Scientists work along with the clinicians, to ensure that the clinical service is underpinned by a strong investigation and evidence base.
They have devised and implemented new diagnostic tests for central and peripheral autonomic function, and novel treatments. They have pioneered novel, mainly non-invasive techniques for the investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms in various autonomic disorders.
Main duties of the job
The team has in the last 5 years established additional patients’ pathway including the delivery of autonomic assessment, rehabilitation and immunotherapy one of the most severe but treatable autonomic failure condition, such as autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy.
We have also established the first Autonomic adolescent service and a new diagnostic assessment for postganglionic sudomotor dysfunction. The expanded spectrum of patients seen at the Autonomic unit require additional senior specialist in autonomic neurology leading on the delivery of assessment and treatment of patients with autonomic failure.
If you are interested or would like to discuss further, please contact the Clinical Lead Dr Valeria Iodice - [email protected]
Working for our organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
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University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
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National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
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Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
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University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
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Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
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University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
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The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
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University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Please note, due to anticipated high volumes of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff – To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc in the life sciences or equivalent
- Formal training or equivalent experience providing specialist knowledge of the autonomic nervous system and its investigation
Desirable criteria
- Familiar with decontamination procedures for bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of performing autonomic investigations
- Proven ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English
Desirable criteria
- Basic life support and automated external defibrillator training
Skills & Abilities: Communication & Customer Care
Essential criteria
- High level of written and oral communication, including attention to details
- Understanding of the Data Protection act and an ability to act in such a manner as to maintain and protect confidentiality at all times
- Able to use influencing and persuasive skills
Desirable criteria
- Proven ability to deal professionally and effectively with people who are difficult, distressed or anxious
Personal & people development
Essential criteria
- Enabling people to learn new skills and information
- Able to undertake self-directed study without a structured timetable
- Able to learn new skills
Analytical and Judgemental Systems
Essential criteria
- Able to concentrate for prolonged periods during testing, data analysis and handling of blood samples yet cope with unpredictable interruptions
- Able to accept responsibility
- Demonstrate effective prioritisation and time management skills
- Able to make sensible judgements involving facts/situations that may require analysis and interpretations
Quality and service improvement
Essential criteria
- Ability to adopt an objective view and be a good team player
Information processing (IT skills)
Essential criteria
- Proven competence in the use of office computer software, e.g Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Friendly and approachable
- Flexible and reliable
- Positive attitude to making improvements in working practice and service provision
Other requirements, including:
Essential criteria
- Able to stand for much of the day
- Tolerant of hot, occasionally smelly environments
- Able to move to move cartons, some large, occasionally heavy (limited requirement)
- Able to assist with the transfer of immobile/impaired people
- Able or willing to learn phlebotomy skills, including cannulation
- Dexterity and good hand-eye co-ordination for accuracy, to include above average keyboard skills, transfer/handling of blood/plasma, phlebotomy, delicate and expensive electronic equipment
Miscellaneous
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of and commitment to the needs of the Autonomic Unit service
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Valeria Iodice
- Job title
- Consultant
- Email address
- [email protected]
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