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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To lead, instruct and coach patients in the required techniques and the need for full co-operation and maximum effort in performing lung function, by demonstrating the same physical effort and enthusiasm in order to obtain reproducible and meaningful results.
2. To measure static lung volumes by body plethysmography and nitrogen washout.
3. To measure dynamic lung volumes by volume time spirometry and flow-volume loop.
4. To assess bronchodilator response with short-acting and long-acting drugs.
5. To undertake gas exchange studies such as measurement of transfer factor for carbon monoxide by the single breath method.
6. To be responsible for the investigation of respiratory muscle function defects by postural spirometry and maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures.
7. To measure exercise limitation by the 6-minute walk with oximetry.
8. To assess bronchial challenge with inhaled mannitol or other agents as per agreed protocols.
9. To be responsible for the assessment of hypoxic challenge (Flight Assessment test)
10. To undertaken spot pulse oximetry measurements where appropriate..
11. To undertaken overnight pulse oximetry and LTOT assessments as required.
12. To be responsible for the investigation of sleep disordered breathing by domiciliary oximetry and part polysomnography sleep studies, inpatient sleep studies including transcutaneous pO2 and pCO2 measurements.
13. To initiate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in suitable patients, as directed by Consultant Physicians.
14. To provide clinical support for patients established on CPAP therapy (e.g. assessing equipment and interface functionality, monitoring progress and efficacy).

Education, Training and Development

1. Act as an effective role model at all times.
2. Support the Chief Respiratory Physiologist in developing and delivering a training programme for student clinical physiologists, assistant practitioners, and other staff groups as required
3. Facilitate a good learning environment. Monitor the progress and competency of student clinical physiologists and assistant practitioners as required.
4. Provide training for other health care professionals e.g. training of nursing or medical staff in lung function techniques and interpretation of results, especially Spirometry.
5. To be pro-active in awareness of current issues/research, updating colleagues as appropriate.
6. Identify and subject to funding attend relevant courses as part of your personal development plan and that of others.
7. Undertake on-going training in respiratory investigations, reporting, and therapies.

Infection Control

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they understand and follow the infection control policies, procedures and best practice applicable within the Trust.  In particular:

1. Observe all infection control policies and practices relevant to this post.
2. Act as a role model to others regarding infection control best practice.
3. Keep up to date and attend all relevant training relating to infection control issues applicable to this post.
4. Ensure that, where applicable, patients, visitors and contractors are aware of and follow infection control best practice
5. Report non-compliance or concerns regarding infection control issues/best practice to line manager.

Health & Safety

1. To ensure that the Trust’s Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.
2. To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and that the working environment is maintained in good order.
3. To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of yourself, patients, visitors, and staff, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
4. To report adverse problems to the Line Manager/Nurse in charge
5. To undertake appropriate health and safety training to support safe working practice, including where appropriate, its management.

Confidentiality

All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a result of their employment with the NHS, including matters relating to other members of staff, patients and members of the public.

Equality and Diversity

All employees are required to follow and implement the Trust's equal opportunities policy and to undergo any training and development activities to ensure that they can carry out their duties and responsibilities in terms of promoting, developing, implementing and reviewing the policy arrangements in the course of their work.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

All employees have a duty for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.  Staff must be aware of the Trust’s procedure for raising concerns about the welfare of anyone with whom they have contact.  Staff must also ensure they receive the appropriate level of safeguarding children and vulnerable adult training depending on their role in the Trust.

Trust Values

To work in line with the Trust values and promote these within the team and other areas across the Trust.

Please note that this job description is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely a guide to the responsibilities of the post holder.  The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties within the sphere of their competence and to meet the changing needs of the service.