Clinical Physiologist in Respiratory & Sleep, Band 5

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Respiratory Physiology Services at Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust.

We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Respiratory Physiologist to join our busy expanding and evolving service. The department will offer full lung function investigations and muscle weakness testing. The sleep service offers Respiratory polygraphy, CPAP set‑up, and reviews. The skilled individual should have a comprehensive understanding of lung function testing and diagnostic sleep testing, including set‑up of oximetry and polygraphy, and a basic understanding of reporting of sleep studies.

Experience in CPAP therapy trouble shooting, maintenance and advice is necessary.

The successful applicant should be a friendly and highly motivated individual that wants to excel professionally and is committed to providing a high‑quality service. You must have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Candidates must have a Clinical Physiology BSc or equivalent, is required and should be looking to work toward ARTP examinations. The appointee should also be working toward AHCS registration.

Monday to Friday between 08:00 – 19:00.

We are committed to support learning and development so a successful candidate should be confident that they will be supported to consolidate their knowledge and develop expertise.

Duties of the role would include the ability to undertake clinical activity such as:

Full pulmonary function tests including static and dynamic lung volumes, gas transfer, reversibility assessments and mannitol challenge, respiratory muscle assessments (snip) and supine spirometry.

In addition the post holder would be expected to perform CPAP follow‑up appointments, issue and return and analysis of sleep assessments (oximetry and respiratory polygraphy) as well as take part in supporting patients on CPAP treatment.

Other non‑clinical duties would include:

Responsibility for own learning and development, willingness to train in a sub‑speciality area.

Participates in audit and research activities.

Supports on delivering training and education across the immediate team and wider staff network.

The Lung Function and Sleep Service at Gloucestershire Hospitals is a busy service with a blended staff of Physiologists, Nurses and Assistant / Associate practitioners. We are committed to seeing our staff succeed in their career journey and will look to support education opportunities and progression where possible. We operate our services from 3 locations:
Cheltenham General as our main site, an inpatient spoke at Gloucestershire Royal and our diagnostic sleep service, and at the Gloucestershire Community Diagnostic Centre at Gloucester Quays.

We have a cohort of approximately 5,500 patients using CPAP, 250 on NIV and undertook over 1,400 diagnostic sleep studies and initiated over 900 CPAP treatments for patients. In addition we undertook pulmonary function tests on 3,500 patients.

• To assist the Lead for Respiratory Physiology in setting local technical standards.
• To perform a wide range of respiratory function tests listed below:
• Spirometry/flow volume loops
• Gas transfer measurements
• Lung volume measurements using body plethysmography
• Bronchodilator tests
• Ear lobe capillary blood gas analysis
• Bronchial challenge testing using Mannitol (with supervision and support)
• Respiratory muscle testing (MIP, MEP and SNIP) and supine/sitting spirometry
• Overnight oximetry
• Home polygraphy sleep studies (not including analysis)
• Any other tests deemed necessary by the head of the department

• Train in CPAP initiation, Sleep Analysis and NIV clinics.
• To carry out all techniques and work independently as an unsupervised independent practitioner.
• Take responsibility for the functioning, calibration and quality assurance of measurements on complex specialised instruments, and maintain calibration records and audits of work activity
• The post‑holder will provide specialist professional expertise to other staff members within and outside of the department as required.
• To communicate test procedures clearly and…