Healthcare Science Practitioner - Respiratory

The Respiratory physiology and sleep service at East Kent Hospitals is one of the largest services in the South East, outside of London. We are an incredibly busy service, which undertakes over 3,000 respiratory polygraphies per annum. We currently have 8,000 CPAP users under the service as well as a very busy NIV service. The respiratory diagnostic service currently undertakes 1300 tests per annum

Following a service review, and funding for the Thaneet CDC, EKHUFT second CDC, we are expanding the service to offer respiratory diagnostics one more sites. We will also be looking to expand the level of testing that we offer our patients. We are offering the right candidate the opportunity to either join the team as a qualified Band 5 Respiratory healthcare practitioner or to join as a Band 4 trainee and be supported with a combination of inhouse and external Degree level training to develop into a Clinical Physiologist.

• We offer a full package of benefits, including a car lease scheme; on-site childcare; generous annual leave in line with NHS terms and conditions; high street and public transport discounts; a 24/7 staff support service - and the little things that make life easier, like on-site Amazon lockers and fresh fruit and veg stalls.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Clinical duties

To Provide and contribute to the day to day running of the service

To interpret lung function tests and where required explain their meaning to non-respiratory colleagues

To be responsible for the recording of all activity, validation of results in a timely manner

To perform without supervision the following respiratory investigations in accordance with ARTP/BTS/ERS guidelines

Spirometry/Flow volume loops

Single breath Gas transfer

Static lung volumes via body plethysmography

FeNO

Reversibility studies

Performing capillary blood gases

To keep up-to-date with best practice in respiratory physiology testing and update protocols and SOP’s as required

To be aware of and work within the local, national and international clinical standards and protocols

To contribute to the development and implementation of department policy, procedures and service development.

To support junior staff within the service

To ensure quality control procedures are maintained, highlighting when corrective actions are required and contacting EME when required for further support

To maintain all department equipment in a fully functional state.

To maintain stock as required within the scope of the budget for the service.

sterilizing and disinfecting all departmental equipment if and when necessary.

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Emma Ince Job title: Lead healthcare scientist Email address: eince@nhs.net