Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic , self-motivated Respiratory Associate Practitioner  join our busy department. This post will be split between the PRH/RSH site and the  Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) which will be based at Hollinswood House, Stafford Park.  

The CDC is a national initiative to improve diagnostic service provision.   The aim is to increase diagnostic capacity and reduce health inequality by providing a single point of access to a range of services.  Your role will be part of the Cardio-respiratory Department. 

The successful applicant will need experience in dealing with the general public, ideally in a healthcare setting. Excellent IT and communication skills are essential. As is the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure, in the sometimes challenging role. 

 You will be performing respiratory diagnostic tests including Pulmonary Function tests and supporting the CPAP service. You will be supported to complete your ARTP associate examination level 1 or L4 Healthcare Science associate Apprenticeship. B4 will be awarded on completion of one of these qualifications. You will also support our other support staff in some of our basic Cardiorespiratory tests. You will be expected to cover all hospital environments when on the PRH/RSH site, and work independently when at the CDC. 

Main duties of the job

• Perform Pulmonary Function Tests, Spirometry, Polysomnography including all measurements.
• Generating a Pulmonary Function Test summary.
• Recognise signs and symptoms of urgent Respiratory abnormalities and take steps to support patients as necessary.
• To undertake basic Spirometry interpretation after sufficient training.
• Communicate accurate procedure results to appropriate clinical staff.
• Recognise equipment faults and errors, take first-line action to correct them and report to senior staff as necessary
• Contribute to the hygiene and cleanliness of equipment and work area.
• Assist in activity audit and clinical data collection through maintenance of database entry and filing systems.
• Assist in the stock maintenance of consumable items.
• Answer enquiries from hospital staff, patients, carers, general practice and the public or direct such enquiries to more senior staff or other staff groups.
• Ability to plan and prioritise patients to ensure a clinic list runs smoothly. For example accommodating in-patients into a busy outpatient clinic list.
• Advise and reassure patients and or carers before and during investigation.
• Communicate complex information, e.g. test procedure, to the elderly, children and those with learning or physical disabilities.
• Assist in the administration of the department e.g. prioritising requests, managing appointments
• Undertake other reasonable duties at the request of senior staff

Working for our organisation

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is the main provider of district general hospital services for nearly half a million people in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales.

Our main acute sites are are The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shrewsbury. 

Both hospitals provide a wide range of acute hospital services including accident & emergency, outpatients, diagnostics, inpatient medical care and critical care. 

The Cardio-respiratory Department has a base at both hospital sites with the larger department at the Princess Royal. We have a busy CPAP  and Home Oxygen Service amongst a variety of other Cardiorespiratory diagnostic tests.

We also provide community diagnostics at the Community Diagnostic Centre in Hollinswood House, Stafford Park.