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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.

With appropriate training you will be working towards, but not limited to:-

• • • Performance and interpretation of Spirometry
    • Performance and reporting of Reversibility studies
    • Static Lung volume measurements via body plethysmography and nitrogen washout
    • Measurement of single Breath Gas Transfer
    • Capillary blood gases & Haemoglobin testing
    • Cardio-Respiratory sleep study including downloading

Responsibilities – You will be working towards :-

• To undertake duties as an autonomous practitioner once sufficient training period has been completed, 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 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 non stock, 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

Organisational:

• To work in accordance with Trust and department policies and standards.

• To ensure that your own practice meets the required professional standards of clinical physiology.

• To attend mandatory training sessions as determined by the Trust.

• To record activity by updating databases to enable performance monitoring.