Respiratory Physiology Technician

Go back to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 21 January 2026

The post holder will be based at West Middlesex Hospital and may be required to do some work at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. The post holder will work within the main department building contributing to respiratory and sleep diagnostic services for both inpatients and outpatients. This will involve performing diagnostic respiratory tests such as spirometry, transfer factor, lung volumes (body box), ear‑lobe blood gases, supporting with cardio‑pulmonary exercise tests, skin prick testing, lung clearance index (LCI) testing (pending), and Impulse Oscillometry (IOS).

The post holder will be delivering inpatient and outpatient sleep studies, including multi‑channel polygraphs and overnight oximetry. Responsibilities will include supporting the delivery of patient‑centred care, contributing to the development and implementation of innovative diagnostic pathways in partnership with the wider respiratory team, ensuring smooth operation and high standards of care, maintaining equipment, and assisting with quality assurance and improvement processes.

Performing a range of routine respiratory investigations in a cross‑site departmental set up. These would include but are not limited to:

• Gas transfer
• Reversibility of airways obstruction with bronchodilators
• Six minute walk testing
• Capillary Blood gas sampling and analysis
• Respiratory muscle strength assessment
• Impulse Oscillometry (IOS)
• Exhaled and nasal nitric oxide

The post holder will take responsibility and be accountable for their own practice, with supervision from senior team members where appropriate, in alignment with local standard operating procedures and clinical best practice.

Clinical

• Spirometry
• Gas transfer
• Whole body plethysmography (static lung volumes)
• Reversibility of airways obstruction with bronchodilators
• Six minute walk testing
• Capillary Blood gas sampling and analysis
• Respiratory muscle strength assessment
• Impulse Oscillometry (IOS)
• Exhaled and nasal nitric oxide

Knowledge, Education, Training,

Experience:

• Using theoretical knowledge through higher education at graduate level and/or knowledge gained through experience in practice;
• Undertake respiratory and sleep clinical responsibilities independently in a team environment;
• Support departmental training and education of trainee staff/ students and external staff where appropriate;
• Support other healthcare professionals including healthcare assistants, trainee nursing staff, physiotherapists, primary care professionals and junior medical staff;
• Support non‑clinical departmental tasks, audits and activities is desired between bullets.

Communications:

• Effectively communicate and elevate to colleagues and medical staff any concerns associated with lung function testing and sleep assessments;
• Obtain a brief medical history from patients to ensure all assessments undertaken are performed safely. Make reasonable adjustments to support patients who might need additional support with history taking and assessment;
• Explain to patients clearly and concisely how to perform the investigations requested;
• Effectively manage patient complaints through the appropriate processes (informal and/or formal);
• Liaise with ward staff and take necessary steps as per protocol to ensure the timely undertaking of inpatient lung function and sleep assessments.

General:

• Liaise with ward staff and take necessary steps as per protocol to ensure the timeliness of inpatient lung function and sleep assessments;
• Ensuring a flexible and responsible service, which is based on an individualised approach to patients always respecting their privacy and dignity;
• To encourage and support active team working within the department and division;
• A member of a multidisciplinary team, delivering a high quality and efficient diagnostic service with high standards of care;
• Specialist training in aspects of the service will be provided as appropriate.

The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing…