Cardiac Physiologist / Cardiac Practitioner

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions., To provide accurate cardiac and pulmonary diagnostic tests.
To assist with cardiac procedures.
To learn new skills and strive for clinical excellence.
To assist in the training of student cardiac physiologists., To participate in a broad spectrum of diagnostic cardiology and pulmonary investigations. To work towards experience and expertise in advanced measurement testing, participating in and facilitating the department's multi-skilling process.
Students in their final year of study are encouraged to apply.

Dimensions
To provide accurate cardiac and pulmonary diagnostic tests.
To assist with cardiac procedures.
To learn new skills and strive for clinical excellence., Please include analytical & judgemental skills required for the post e.g. making judgements in situations where information is either difficult to extrapolate or medical notes/information on history is unavailable.
Work as cardiac physiologist, providing support and advice relevant to patient care to student physiologists.
Perform and report complex diagnostics investigations independently.
Assess patient using diagnostic skills and clinical knowledge to make a clinical judgement and escalating to a colleague if necessary.
Effectively deal with complaints from patients/carers/relatives whether directly or indirectly from senior management.
Deal appropriately with sensitive issues including patients/relatives/carers who may be upset.
Analyse audit data and research relating it to clinical practice.
Make judgements and recommendations about clinical practice.
Comply with the Trust's risk management strategy and report any incidents/accidents/near misses in accordance with trust policy.
Formulate concise, accurate and thorough reports to be submitted to medical staff.
Planning and Organisational Skills
Examples include; planning or organising clinical or non-clinical services, departments, rotas, meetings, conferences and for strategic planning.
Participate in departmental rota.
May be required to work across site to cover the needs of the service.
Plan short-term adjustments to own workload depending on priorities and staffing levels.
Support the planning and implementation of audits to meet the needs of the reviews, service development and improvements.
Carry out audit relating to demand and capacity.
Physical Skills (manual dexterity)
Examples Include: hand-eye co-ordination, sensory skills, (sight, hearing, touch, taste smell etc), dexterity, manipulation, speed and accuracy, keyboard and driving skills.
Undertake highly developed physical tasks requiring a high level of hand-eye coordination and physical dexterity for extended periods of time.
Undertake diagnostic tests where speed and accuracy are essential.
Competence in the use of medical devices.
Competent in the use of specialise equipment relevant to the role including manual and automatic BP, saturation probe, 12 lead ECG machine, pacing analysers, spirometry machine & ECG monitors as well as cardiac catheterisation equipment.
IT skills for policy, presentation, reports, data entry and email communication.
Ability to undertake manual handling tasks with patients and manoeuvring equipment around the hospital.
Patient/Client care
Please specify the level of involvement in the provision of care to patients/clients and including how responsibility is shared with others.
Support an environment where health promotion and informed patient choice is encouraged and developed to its maximum potential with the available resources.
Act as patients' advocates in all matters relating to their care, treatment and welfare. Acknowledge and incorporate cultural preferences, health beliefs and behaviours.
Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills through delivery of cardiac and respiratory diagnostics to the highest standard.
Act as a professional role model and provide specialist support and advice to colleagues.
Respond to queries from patients, relatives and carers. Deal with concerns, formal complaints, PALS concerns and actively problem solve to improve the patient experience. Complete and maintain the required specialist training and related clinical, technical and interpersonal skills and competence.
Ensure that evidentiary documentation of competence and skills is maintained and reviewed annually through appraisal and personal development plan.
Provide Trust wide education and training on both specialist area of practice and generic cardiology investigations.
Policy and Service Development
Level of involvement in the implantation of policy and contribution to the decision making process both within own department and other functions.
Audit areas of practice, encouraging change where necessary to ensure best practice.
Along with all members of the team, ensure all local and national targets, standards and guidance are achieved.
Contribute to policies and procedures relevant to services.
Ensure that Trust policies are adhered to by self and others.
Deliver the quality standards and targets outlined in the Trust's Risk Managements Strategy and local Operational Policies.
Demonstrate learning from compliments, complaints and concerns and patient experience feedback.
Contribute to team discussion on proposed and planned changes affecting clinical areas and the continuing development of services.

Please include theoretical, practical, professional, special knowledge etc, required to fulfil the job satisfactorily at entry level. Please include educational level normally expected or equivalent level of practical experience.
Essential:
+ BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science or BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology or equivalent (or in final year of study with graduation summer 2024).
+ Good working knowledge of ECG interpretation.
+ Ability to perform routine pulmonary function testing and/or a willingness to undergo further training in more complex pulmonary function tests.
+ Experience performing and reporting exercise tolerance tests.
+ Experience reporting ambulatory ECG analysis.
+ Experience of left and right cardiac catheterisation including the set-up and use of hemodynamic monitoring.
+ Experience of pacemaker implant.
+ Experience of loop recorder implant.
+ Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
+ Flexible approach to hours and patterns of working to meet the needs of the department.
+ Proactive attitude towards work.
+ Meets requirements of UK Border and Immigration/ISA.
+ Good verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable:
+ RCCP/AHCS voluntary registration.
+ BSE or IBHRE qualification.
+ Intermediate/Advanced Life Support certification.
+ Experience of pacemaker follow up.
+ Experience of loop recorder follow up including remote Merlin analysis.
+ Administrative experience.
+ Previous NHS experience.

Working for our organisation
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.