NHS FORTH VALLEY

NHS FORTH VALLEY Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Forth Valley Medical Directorate Specialist Clinical Physiologist Part-time 18 hours per week, Permanent Salary: Band 6, £24,831 - £33,436 per annum, pro rata Ref: 0110006 We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic individual to come and join our friendly and industrious team in Cardiology. The post will initially cover the two sites in Forth Valley (Stirling and Falkirk) until the opening of our new, unified, purpose-built hospital at Larbert. The departments perform a wide range of non-invasive tests including Exercise Tolerance Testing, 24 hour Ambulatory monitoring and analysis, Pacemaker and ICD follow up and Standard & Specialist Echocardiographic studies. There is also an established ICD implant service. Essential qualifications include HNC Physiological Measurement/BSc Cardiology, State Registration with RCCP and ILS (Intermediate Life Support) from the Resuscitation Council (UK). Proof of continuing professional development is desired. There would be opportunity for developing skills. Further information and informal enquiries to: Joanne Cusack - Acting Head of Cardiology Investigations Services, Forth Valley Tel: 01786 434165 E-mail: joanne.cusack@nhs.net All post are open to full-time and job share candidates. Application forms and job descriptions (quoting relevant post title and reference number) are available by e-mailing FV-UHB.Recruitment@nhs.net or by telephoning the recruitment answerline on 01786 447488. Closing Date: 29th January 2010 For Insertion: Redeployment – 12th January 2010 Internal Show

NHS FORTH VALLEY JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB DETAILS Job Title: Specialist Clinical Physiologist Responsible to: Forth Valley Cardiology Investigation Services Manager Department(s): Cardiology (Stirling Royal Infirmary and Falkirk District Royal Infirmary) Job Holder Reference: No of Job Holders: 1 a. ROLE OF UNIT General medical care including the provision of emergency services in acute medicine, specialty and subspecialty outpatient services, care of the elderly & rehabilitation and Division-wide AHP services. b. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT The Cardiology Investigation Service provides a clinically effective supply on demand access for patients from all wards and Departments in Stirling Royal Infirmary also service provider of the Forth Valley Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinics and GP Open Access Echocardiography Services. 2. JOB PURPOSE The post holder is a senior member of the 24 hour Electrocardiography Tape Analysis and the Exercise Tolerance Test Service and provides Clinical Reports to all grades of Hospital Medical Staff and General practitioners. The post holder is also responsible for in-service Clinical Physiologist training in these areas.

ORGANISATIONAL POSITION Unit General Manager Unit Service Manager Forth Valley Cardiology Investigations Services Manager Forth Valley Arrhythmia Manager of FDRI Cardiology Investigation Services Manager Service and Falkirk GP open access service Highly Specialist Clinical Physiologists Specialist Clinical Physiologists Clinical Physiologists Student Clinical Physiologist Assistant Technical Officers 4. DIMENSIONS Specialist Clinical Physiologist independently analysing 24 hour Electrocardiography recordings and issuing clinical reports. Specialist Clinical Physiologist independently reporting and performing Exercise Tolerance Tests. The post holder will be expected to identify and take appropriate prioritised action on any abnormal results. These may include urgent discussion with a Cardiologist or urgent admission, prioritised Cardiology clinic referral, arrangement of further investigations notification, guidance or discussion with GPs, all grades of Medical staff or Specialist nurses.

Supervision and Training of SHOs, Cardiology specialist nurses, less experienced Clinical Physiology staff in 24 hour Tape Analysis and Exercise Tolerance Testing and analysis. 5. KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES • Sole charge of 24 hour tape analysis sessions, including training and guidance of less experienced Clinical Physiologists, Nursing and SHO staff in management of patients and interpretation of results. • Responsible for the care and maintenance of the ambulatory monitoring equipment and analysis system. • Supervision, preparation, careful observation, assessment, interpretation of haemodynamic and abnormal ECG response during Physiologist led exercise tolerance testing sessions. Providing first line response to emergency situations when required. • Training and guidance of SHOs, Cardiology Nurses less experienced Clinical Physiology staff during Exercise Tolerance Tests • Adhering to the national guidelines (British Cardiac Society) for exercise testing with regards to the provision of this service. • Ensuring Medical staff are notified of abnormal results for urgent treatment when required. • Skilled knowledge of contraindications and interpretation of results to ensure appropriate management of patient investigation, diagnosis and follow up. Accountable for own professional actions and reports whilst working with Professional Codes of Practise/Guidelines and Trust policy and procedures. Departmental policies and procedures should also be followed • The post-holder will work unsupervised in all areas. • The post-holder will supervise and train less experienced staff as required. 6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT The post holder is expected to have a skilled knowledge and practical experience of all Electromedical equipment in use in Departments, including fault finding and liaison with medical Physics/external Engineers/ Manufacturers etc as appropriate. Complex Exercise Tolerance Testing equipment Electrocardiography Ambulatory ECG recording equipment and analyser 24 hour BP monitoring equipment Computers/Databases All the above equipment is computerised with various Databases and/or Measurement packages. Local Databases for Annual Audit of Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic and monthly statistics.

7. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK • Rostered by Head of Service to take Clinical responsibility for the provision of 24 hour Tape Analysis, Ambulatory BP monitoring and Physiologist Led Exercise testing session. • For each rostered session post holder has responsibility for prioritisation and review of patient list dependant on clinical need whilst also ensuring efficient service to outpatient clinics. • The post holder is also required to adjust lists at short notice to allow for clinical emergencies. • The post holder is on call throughout working day to supervise and teach less experienced colleagues in 24 hour ECG complex rhythm analysis. • The post holder will receive urgent and planned requests for Exercise Tolerance Testing including Interpretation of results. 8. COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The post holder must have highly developed communications skills. These must be allied to an accurate knowledge and understanding of the well-established forms of communication in order to provide complex information to highly specialised clinical staff in a knowledgeable and professional manner and convey the same information/results to patients and relatives at a level that can be clearly understood. The post holder will demonstrate a balanced and equitable approach to managing difficult situations for patients, staff and visitors. Interdepartmental/staff communication Daily communication by phone, email and face to face with all levels of staff throughout the organisation in a concise, professional and reasonable manner. - Communicate complex 24 hour results to cardiologists, GP’s and other clinical colleagues. - Regular communication with ward staff and specialist nurses with regards to appointments and results. - Regular communication with other clinical departments in order ensure appropriate testing is carried out so that the patient flow is clinically and physically optimised for the patients care and treatment. - Regular communication with other members of the department with regard to patient welfare and care, equipment and administration problems that may arise on a day to day basis. External - Liaise with GP’s and departments with regards to ongoing patient care. - Liaise with other health authorities and departments with regards to ongoing patient care. Patients, carers and relatives - Communicate to patients the arrangement of appointments and any information relevant to their procedure.

- Instruct patients at an appropriately pitched level what to expect during their investigations and why. In this manner, actively encourage their co-operation in order to achieve the best possible results/outcome from their test/procedure. - Communicate to non English speaking patients through an appropriate interpreter and respect any cultural and religious interpreter. - Communicate with colleagues on a day to day basis and feedback any problems with equipment. 9a. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Daily exposure to prolonged standing or sitting in awkward positions during investigations. Daily exposure to Manoevering of patients in wheelchairs prior to and post investigations. Constant manipulation requiring manual dexterity in use of Ultrasound probes and application of electrodes during investigations. Daily contact with patients with MRSA Occasional blocks of contact with Norovirus/winter vomiting bug Frequent contact with airborne infections. 9b. MENTAL/EMOTIONAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB 3-4 hour 24 hr tape Analysis sessions with detailed scrutiny of and concentration on high speed flowing ECG recordings of Cardiac rhythms with frequent exposure to abnormal results involving wide range of patients. Dealing compassionately and professionally with anxious and sometimes traumatised patients or relatives on a daily basis. Responding daily to unexpected and emergency requests from all parts of the Hospital (during busy departmental lists) for urgent assessment of pacemakers/ICDs on very sick patients who have suddenly deteriorated. Constant demand for coping with a wide range of unpredictable situations on a daily basis.

10. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB BSc in Physiological Measurement HNC Physiological Measurement ASCST - Associate member of the Society of Cardiological Science and Technology State Registered with RCCP ILS - Intermediate Life Support from the Resuscitation Council (UK) 6 years in-service training gaining a complete knowledge of cardiac procedures Continuing Professional Development in all specialist fields including 2 years as a Practitioner in Clinical Physiology Expertise in 24 hour ECG rhythm recording analysis Expertise in Exercise Tolerance Testing and analysis Expertise in ECG interpretation Interest in Pacing/Echocardiography 11. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT Job Holder’s Signature: Date: Head of Department Signature: Date:

NHS FORTH VALLEY Terms and Conditions: The terms and conditions of service are those laid down by the Agenda for Change Handbook. Salary Scale: Band 6, £24,831 - £33,436 per annum, pro rata Staff taking up a new appointment with NHS Forth Valley will normally enter the scale at the minimum of the pay band/range. Any appointments above the lowest point of the pay band/range will be subject to verification of previous NHS service, or experience outside the NHS, which is given in recognition of relevant complete years of experience. Hours: Part-time 18 hours per week Employees may be required to vary the pattern of their working week subject to the exigencies of the service. Duration: Permanent Annual Leave: 27 days rising to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years service plus 8 public holidays (pro rata). or 202.5 hours rising to 217.5 hours after 5 years service and to 247.5 hours after 10 years service plus 60 hours public holiday. (pro-rata) Superannuation: The post is superannuable under the Scottish Public Pensions Agency Scheme and your remuneration will be subject to deduction unless you choose to opt out of the scheme. Medical Examination: No appointment can be confirmed until a satisfactory medical examination has been undergone.

Criminal Convictions The duties of this post mean that you will either have Disclosure Check: regular contact with a) children and young people under the age of 18, b) the elderly, sick and disabled people or c) have a greater degree of involvement with children or vulnerable adults. Candidates who are successful at interview for this post will therefore be required to declare and consent to the validation of any criminal convictions by means of a standard/enhanced Disclosure check carried out by Disclosure Scotland under the provisions of Part V of the Police Act 1997 prior to any offer of appointment being made. This post is covered by the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and you are therefore required to declare information not only about “current” convictions but also about previous convictions which are otherwise regarded as “spent”. In the event of employment, any failure to disclose such convictions could result in the withdrawal of any offer, disciplinary action or dismissal by NHS Forth Valley. Confidentiality: In the course of your duties you may have access to confidential information concerning patients or staff. Unauthorized disclosure or removal of information may lead to consideration of disciplinary action. Equality in Employment: NHS Forth Valley fully supports the principle of equality in employment and opposes all forms of unlawful and / or unfair discrimination which cannot be shown to be justified. NHS Forth Valley is committed to ensuring equality of treatment for both present and potential employees. Tobacco Policy: It is the policy of NHS Forth Valley to discourage the habit of smoking within the organization and to provide a smoke free environment. The NHS Forth Valley policy is to establish no smoking as the norm and smoking is not permitted anywhere within NHS Forth Valley premises including residences and grounds. The Occupational Health Service will assist members of staff who wish to stop smoking by providing or facilitating the following services: • Information on smoking and ways to stop • Personal support • Health Education materials and helpline numbers

• Nicotine replacement therapy • Smoking Cessation support Copies of the Tobacco Policy are available from HR Co- ordinators or via the NHS Forth Valley Intranet. Health & Safety: All employees have a responsibility for their own health & safety and the health & safety of others who may be affected by what they do. Employees also have a duty to co-operate with their employer by following NHS Forth Valley policies and procedures and safe systems of work; by using equipment safely and by bringing any shortcomings in health and safety arrangements to the attention of their employer. Where something is provided in the interests of health & safety employees must not interfere or misuse it. All employees have a legal responsibility to report any shortcomings in terms of this in their area. Managers and supervisors have a responsibility for monitoring health & safety arrangements and ensuring staff are following policies and procedures and safe systems of work. Partnership Agreement: Contributing to the development of partnership working by: supporting NHS Forth Valley in delivering its goals and objectives; supporting continuous improvement in own performance and the performance of the department, directorate and NHS Forth Valley; attending training, development and other activities aimed at improving own skills and for the benefit of the organisation and patient care. Nursery Facilities: There is an independently run on-site nursery at Stirling Royal Infirmary. With places open to staff and the general public. For further information please contact: Chapter One Childcare (SRI site): 01786 465112 Completed application forms should be returned to: Recruitment Office Hut 7 Falkirk & District Royal Infirmary Major’s Loan FALKIRK FK1 5QE Closing Date: 29th January 2010 Ref No: 0110006

If you have not received a letter within 6 weeks of the above closing date you can assume that you have been unsuccessful in being shortlisted.

NHS FORTH VALLEY

by simon23 on Jul 22, 2010

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