Job summary
- Main area
- Respiratory / sleep
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Fixed term: 36 months (Upon completion of apprenticeship program the candidate should be offered a substantive Band 4 position)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 151-VG134
- Employer
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Frimley Park Hospital
- Town
- Frimley
- Salary
- £28,860 - £31,671 per annum, pro rata incl. HCAS
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 20/08/2025 23:59
Employer heading
CDC - Apprentice Associate Physiologist (Respiratory/Sleep)
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
This is a role for a level 4 Apprentice within the Respiratory Investigations Unit (RIU) currently proving a range of diagnostic testing, invasive and non-invasive for both in-patients and outpatients at Wexham Park Hospital, King Edward VII Hospital, Heatherwood, Frimley Park Hospital and the soon to be opening Slough CDC.
The Slough Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) will be a brand-new purpose-built two floor health facility situated in the heart of Slough opening Jan 2026. The CDC will operate 7 days a week and will offer an extensive set of diagnostic services to meet the healthcare needs of the local population of and its surrounding areas.
Candidates should be aware of specific CDC working conditions will include potentially 12-hour days, weekend working and some site rotation.
It is initially a fixed term agreement at Band 4, lasting 36 months, with 24-27 months of study working towards a Healthcare Science Associate apprenticeship standard (Level 4) and offers a perfect career start for anyone wishing to work within Healthcare Sciences in the NHS.
Please note that the successful applicant will need to engage with the apprenticeship for 6 hours per week on average.
Once qualified the post holder will ideally transition to a substantive Band 4 Associate Physiologist post. An interest and qualification in science must be demonstrated on application. Opportunities to progress within the NHS will be available to successful apprentices.
Main duties of the job
We are looking to recruit an applicant who is motivated and has a flexible and approachable work altitude. You will be joining a committed and experienced team of Physiologists alongside other Trainees.
To acquire the clinical, technical, and academic skill necessary for the following:
- Perform routine lung function tests/sleep diagnostics in a variety of clinical settings subject to supervision but not as an independent practitioner.
- Be responsible for the safe use and maintenance of equipment with the service.
Working for our organisation
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description for full details of the job responsibilities.
Some of the key role requirements include:
- To perform a full range of routine and specialist procedures when required, with supervision, which requires a proficient level of theoretical knowledge and developed skills. On patients of all ages to obtain high quality diagnostic information to providing accurate factual reports following analysis and interpretation of physiological data.
- The range of routine investigations of respiratory functions will consist of:
- Dynamic Lung volumes
- Maximal flow volume curves
- FeNo measurement
- Response to bronchodilators
- Static Lung volumes by helium dilution or whole body plethysmongraphy
- Transfer factor for carbon monoxide using single breath Technique.
- Assessment of oxygen level using Pulse oximetry
- Assessment of respiratory impact of neuromuscular Dysfunction/Muscle pressure recordings
- Sleep study and analysis.
- To undertake pre-test assessment of patients to identify any contradiction, potential risks or special precautions to be taken, uses own discretion in order to ensure patient is suitable for the investigation and seek seniors help when necessary.
- To assist with specialist investigations such as:
-
- Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing
- Methacholine Challenge Testing
- CPAP set-up
- Earlobe capillary blood gas sampling for baseline blood gas analysis
- To test patients of all ages. This will involve dexterity and accuracy and communicating complex instructions and clinical information effectively to patients of all ages and relatives to ensure cooperation and compliance and to obtain accurate technical and clinical data.
- To have persuasive and motivational skills to use when patients who are reluctant to undergo investigations.
Person specification
Education
Essential criteria
- GCSE Maths and English
- Science Grade at 'B' or above
Desirable criteria
- Level 2 HCS Apprenticship
Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of Respiratory Physiology
- Prior experience in a patient facing or customer facing role
Desirable criteria
- Previous Experience in healthcare
Communication
Essential criteria
- Showcases good levels of communication
Desirable criteria
- evidence of dealing with sensitive information
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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
- Peter Robinson
- Job title
- Principal Respiratory Physiologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07951638064
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