Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Purpose

The primary duties of the post are the recording of electrocardiograms (ECGs) and  issue and receipt of ambulatory monitors monitors. 

Tests are performed autonomously on adults and paediatrics attending the department, on the wards and A&E. These tests aid diagnosis and treatment of conditions and are undertaken routinely and in emergency situations with frequent exposure to body fluids.

Duties also include the support to Clinical Physiologists by the preparation of patients prior to diagnostic tests.

Roles and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• To accurately record routine and emergency resting 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) and occasional 15-lead ECGs, on inpatients and outpatients to aid diagnosis and treatment.

• To mount and document these recordings for filing in patients notes and as a record that the test has been performed.

• To fit and remove 24 hour cardiac and blood pressure monitors.
• To issue long term event monitors.
• To perform ABPI leg Doppler studies
• To communicate with medical/nursing staff to provide effective service for patient care.
• To identify life threatening abnormal results and to manage clinical risk by alerting medical/nursing staff of any patients requiring immediate or urgent attention.
• To assess patients’ physical and mental abilities to perform and follow test procedures, and to use tact and persuasive skills to achieve optimum diagnostic results whilst maintaining patient dignity.
• 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 work as part of a team in an emergency situation, performing Basic Life Support when necessary.
• To assist in ensuring that ECG machines in the department and on the wards are kept in a safe and clean condition and to take appropriate action on malfunctioning/unsafe equipment.
• To maintain levels of consumable stock on ECG machines to allow usage at all times.
• To dispose of hazardous consumables in correct manner to ensure compliance with Health and Safety regulations.
• To have the 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 department and Trust protocols in the decontamination of returned equipment to ensure compliance with Health and Safety guidelines and to update records for audit purposes.
• 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 appraisal.
• To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and risk management and to apply to the work situation.
• To undertake simple clerical duties where necessary.

Relationships

Internal:

Department colleagues

Patients and relatives

Nursing/medical staff

Other departments e.g. EBME/A&E

External:

 Patients

Relatives/carers

Special requirements

• The post holder should be of sufficient stamina and health to be capable of long periods of walking and bending, moving, handling and positioning of patients and equipment. Equipment may need to be manoeuvred into confined spaces, such as around patients’ beds, and when there are obstacles such as drips, ventilators, monitors and catheter.
• The post holder should be capable of dealing with distressing and emotional incidents. This is usually dealing with patients and relatives who may have received distressing news from medical staff and need emotional support and further explanation, responding to medical emergencies or carrying out investigations on the terminally ill.

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