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Job overview

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Chief Respiratory Physiologist to join our busy, expanding and evolving service. Post-holder will be expected to provide highly advanced specialist respiratory and sleep diagnostic investigations. 

Applicants should have extensive experience in Respiratory Physiology and possess a BSc Hons in Clinical Physiology or equivalent qualification in Physiological Measurement. Ideally applicants should also have MSc in Clinical Physiology (Respiratory) or equivalent experience gained from clinical practice. Applicants should be registered with RCCP or HCPC. Experience in CPET testing is essential. Teaching/supervisory qualifications are desirable.

This vacancy is suitable for:

• Newly qualified Band 6 senior respiratory physiologists 
• Experienced Band 6 senior respiratory physiologists
• Highly specialised Band 7 respiratory physiologists

Salary will depend on relevant experience and qualifications. 

Main duties of the job

To be directly responsible for all measurements made for the following investigations, and be fully competent to perform unsupervised the following: 
Lung function diagnostics 

• Spirometry 
• Assessment of bronchodilator response
• Dynamic lung volumes, maximal flow volume loops
• Static lung volume measurement by Helium dilution method and N2 washout
• CO diffusing capacity measurement using the single breath method 
•  Static lung volume measurement by body plethysmography
• Measurements of airways resistance, conductance and specific conductance using body plethysmography 

Highly specialist procedures/investigations: 

• Hyper-reactivity (using mannitol) 
• Respiratory exercise tests (cardiorespiratory/exercise induced asthma) 

Sleep and non-invasive ventilation services: To be directly responsible for all measurements made for the following investigations, and be fully competent to perform unsupervised the following: 

• Overnight oximetry (issue of oximeters for home and ward overnight sleep studies)  
• Download, analysis and printout of overnight oximetry studies  
• Initiation and reporting of limited multi-channel sleep studies.

Specialist procedures and investigations:

• Analysis of CPAP titration studies, determination and prescription of CPAP pressures (including explanation of results and pressure requirements to patient and carers). 
• Issue of home CPAP machines and responsibility for any problems/queries from the patient regarding CPAP interface or equipment  

Working for our organisation

All new colleagues can expect to receive a warm and friendly Wirral welcome from the very first time they make contact with us. We are described as “competent and caring staff” by our patients.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is situated on The Wirral peninsula which has a stunning coastline and beautiful countryside surroundings, with great activities for its residents.

We are one of the largest and busiest acute Trusts in the North West of England, comprising of the Wirral’s only Emergency Department. We provide a high quality range of acute care services and employ over 6,000 staff, who serve a population of approximately 400,000 people across Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Neston, North Wales and the wider North West footprint.

We have approximately 855 beds trust-wide and our financial turnover is in excess of £337m.

The Wirral is easily accessible with excellent transport links including motorway, train, bus or ferry and within easy reach to the major cities of Liverpool, Chester and Manchester as well as neighbouring North Wales.