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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• Perform a holistic assessment of patient’s needs, plan, implement and evaluate care delivery with particular reference to changing respiratory health care needs in a hospital setting.
• Provide highly specialist advice to medical staff and the MDT regarding the treatment and management of patients with complex sleep apnoea needs.
• Use and maintain a range of technologies to carry out physiological measurements and assessments, including overnight polysomnography (full and limited cardio-respiratory studies), home oximetry, actigraphy, transcutaneous carbon dioxide (TcCO2) monitoring, Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), full lung function and arterial blood gas analysis.
• Application of sensors and electrodes for overnight and daytime recording of a variety of sleep studies including limited respiratory PSG, MSLT, and full PSG with electroencephelogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG) and electromyogram (EMG), in standard sleep staging montage and extended 10/20 montage.
• Perform bio-calibration of signals prior to each study to ensure equipment is functioning correctly and check the quality of the data captured.
• Use expert knowledge to ensure accuracy and integrity of data recorded, trouble-shoot problems and, where possible, rectify equipment malfunction or failure.
• Identify issues with data quality and act upon the need to adjust or change sensors/recording devices to eliminate artefact and ensure data captured is of the highest quality.
• Undertake expert analysis to score cardio-respiratory, EMG and EEG events and to stage sleep on polysomnography recordings, clinically interpret and discuss results with Consultants in order to assist with diagnosis and development of treatment plans.
• Produce detailed written report on analysis of data and summarise results.
• Conduct clinical interviews with patients, providing treatment plans, advice and give reassurance where appropriate.
• Establish patients on CPAP or NIV therapy, making decisions on appropriate equipment settings and mask selection.
• Produce detailed reports and write letters to General Practitioners clearly documenting results of assessments, diagnosis, treatment plans, and progress. Update patient notes and electronic systems as necessary.
• Conduct outpatient clinics assessing progress of patients on CPAP and NIV therapy, adjusting treatment plans as necessary. Advise on sleep hygiene and lifestyle changes. Review patients by telephone and email to assess their progress and give advice on any issues arising.
• Formulate and deliver treatment plans, monitor compliance and record efficacy.
• Deal with more complex patients that may have special needs or require a higher level of care/intervention.
• Maintain and develop own skills to deliver the service required to meet patient needs. This includes analysis of polysomnography, actigraphy, CPAP and NIV therapy and related skills.
• Assist with data archiving and safe and adequate storage of all clinical data.
• Assist with assessment, procurement and commissioning of specialist, complex medical equipment in conjunction with Clinicians and Sleep Physiology Team Leader.

Professional

• Assist and deputise for the lead clinical physiologist/dept manager.
• Line-management of the physiology/technologist team including managing rotas, annual appraisals, performance management, and induction of new staff.
• Provide expert knowledge and support for procurement of new or replacement medical and IT equipment.
• Assist lead clinical physiologist in reviewing all sleep study and equipment protocols, updating them where necessary.
• Work with lead clinical physiologist and lead Clinician in identifying ways of improving efficiency, cost savings and service enhancement.
• Ensure resources are used efficiently.
• Ensure all staff are aware of and comply with Trust policies and procedures.
• Oversee the delivery of education and training for the physiology team in a range of technologies, developing and expanding the range of skills within the unit.
• Oversee with assessment and recording of staff competencies for equipment and procedures, updating and refreshing as required.
• Take the lead in the Sleep Disorder Centre training sessions.
• Give professional presentations to groups as requested by lead clinical physiologist or Lead Clinician.
• Participate in own annual appraisal, ensuring own professional development plan is devised and objectives met.
• Willing to undergo further training/study in line with professional development.
• Participate in clinical trials and research projects as directed by Consultants and/or lead clinical physiologist.
• Inform and obtain consent from participants ensuing that protocols are met. Ensure documentation is appropriately completed.
• Work with lead clinical physiologist, Consultants and SDC team to identify areas service improvement, leading projects as directed.
• Maintain awareness of departmental and Trust objectives and business plan.

Organisational

• Work with Clinicians and management to develop and promote the sleep service, developing clinical strategies and business plans for growth and development of the service.
• Work alongside the Sleep Physiology Team Leader and SDC team to ensure all areas of the service are covered.
• Ensure that local clinical protocols are updated in conjunction with lead clinical physiologist and Lead Consultant.
• Effectively manage own workload including meeting deadlines for analysis and reporting and conducting research studies.
• Work with the SDC team to ensure that the national waiting time targets are met through effective scheduling of workload and responding to patient demand.
• Form part of an on-call rota for out of hours contact at the Sleep Disorder centre, troubleshooting over the telephone and attending site if required.