Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical:

• To undertake a range of specialised respiratory and sleep investigations as listed to aid diagnosis and treatment of referred patients.

To include but not limited to depending upon candidate experience: -

• Performance of Spirometry
• Performance of Reversibility studies
• Capillary blood gases & Haemoglobin testing
• Maintaining the nebuliser service
• Equipment maintenance of CPAP’s nebulisers, sleep diagnostic equipment 

Responsibilities:

• To undertake duties as an autonomous practitioner, organising and prioritising own work under the direction of more senior physiologists.
• To perform a range of respiratory investigations and generate results to aid diagnosis and future treatment or continuous patient monitoring for both in-patients and out-patients.
• To assist senior level physiologists in performing specialised investigations carried out within the Cardio-Respiratory Department under direct supervision.
• To facilitate maintenance of a range of equipment including, CPAP’s and nebuliser’s.
• To maintain and accurately update databases for sleep diagnostic equipment, CPAP machines and nebulisers 
• To ensure all equipment is cleaned before and after use and is prepared and calibrated prior to use and accuracy confirmed by the use of a biological control subject.
• To communicate with medical and nursing staff to provide effective services for patient care, and to inform/alert them of patients requiring immediate or urgent attention following interpretation and analysis of test results.
• To assess patients’ physical and mental abilities to perform and follow test procedures, and to use persuasive and reassurance skills to achieve optimum diagnostic results.
• To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating.
• To manage clinical risk and take responsibility for patient safety during test procedures. On occasion initiating and leading Basic Life Support (B.L.S).
• To provide advice and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals on the use of loan equipment and to promote understanding of respiratory services.
• To have knowledge and skills in the use and application of relevant equipment and to be responsible for your own safe and competent use of that equipment.
• To follow departmental, Trust and manufacturers protocols and guidelines in the decontamination and sterilisation of equipment to ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards and to take appropriate action on unsafe/malfunctioning equipment.
• Monitor stock levels, order internal stock, including pharmaceuticals and advise of need to purchase nonstock, to ensure uninterrupted service.
• Participate in service developments and implement changes in present service.

Professional:

• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and to maintain a portfolio which reflects development as outlined in personal development plan.
• To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice and incorporate new developments into your area of work.
• To participate in staff appraisal scheme and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development program to meet set knowledge and competencies.
• To attend and participate in in-service training programmes, individual training sessions and external courses as expected/identified at IPR.
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and risk management and to apply to the work situation.
• To maintain high standards of infection prevention practice.
• Be fully competent in using a range of IT packages including Microsoft applications, hospital administration systems and specialist equipment software.
• Undertake all clerical duties concerning all aspects of investigation.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.