Chief Cardiac Physiologist - Echocardiography

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Participate in the provision of echocardiographic services across the trust including departmental sites and at point of care and community locations.
• Cooperate in the provision of an evolving and flexible service (with possible altering shift patterns and occasional weekend working). Appropriate consultation prior to any proposed alterations to working patterns will be given.
• Perform all echocardiographic studies to departmental protocols & relevant society standards/guideline, including transthoracic adult, bubble, contrast (LVO), exercise (treadmill and bike) and pharmacological stress tests utilising a range of techniques.
• Perform accurate and reproducible standard and advanced echocardiographic measurements to departmental and relevant society standards/guidelines
• Perform complex analysis techniques to image acquisitions for 3D volumetric quantification and 2D strain.
• Interpret echocardiographic findings and produce timely signed off diagnostic reports to departmental and relevant society standards.
• Provide technical assistance in the performance of transoesophageal echocardiographic tests and cardiac investigations relevant to your specialist field.
• Monitor vital signs and provide airways management during transoesophageal tests.
• Obtain and maintain competency in IV cannulation
• Perform IV cannulation on patients in preparation for contrast (LVO), bubble and pharmacological stress echocardiography.
• Accurately perform 12 lead electrocardiograms, non-invasive BP, O2 sats and height and weight measurements
• Interpret 12 lead electrocardiograms
• Co-operate with the need for occasional but necessary 'overtime working' to ensure that any procedure in progress can be completed safely, in the usual fashion. Such extra working time being compensated for by time off in lieu or overtime payment).
• Maintain proficiency in echocardiography and other technical skills adopting best practice and current guidelines.
• Hold and maintain BSE/ESCVI or equivalent accreditations in echocardiography.
• Hold and maintain ILS certification.
• Know the location of resuscitation equipment, be familiar with its operation and participate in its daily check. Ensuring that this equipment is available prior to commencement of an investigation.
• Know how to summon the hospital resuscitation team.
• Prioritise and manage individual caseloads based on clinical urgency and service efficiency.
• Assist in the daily management of the echocardiography service, including the clinical prioritisation of inpatients and urgent outpatients, responding to a clinical and report queries and when required scheduling patient appointments.
• Clean ultrasound systems, probes, accessories and associated items in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and departmental and trust policy.
• Identify stock needs and assist in maintaining stock levels.
• Be responsible for the safe use of medical equipment within your role. Reporting to the line manager and EMBE of any faults or concerns
• Assist in the supervision and training of other cardiac physiologists, students and junior doctors, in their area of individual expertise.
• Understand and participate in clinical audit
• Assist in research and development in the department
• Attend and participate in departmental and team meetings.
• Maintain all trust mandatory training
• Adhere to mandatory training standards for frequent moving and handling of patients and equipment.
• Use PPE when indicated as per trust policy

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc Clinical Physiology (or equivalent)
• BSE/EACVI Accreditation (or equivalent)
• Evidence of continued professional Development
• BLS

Desirable criteria

• ILS

Experience

Essential criteria

• Performing and reporting transthoracic echocardiograms consummate with a Band 7 post
• Performing imaging and reporting stress echocardiograms with limited supervision

Desirable criteria

• Providing technical assistance in the performance of transoesophageal echocardiography
• Performing IV cannulation
• Performing 12 lead ECG's
• Mentorship of trainee staff

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to organise and prioritise workloads and demonstrate initiative
• Ability to cope with heavy workload
• IT literate

Important

• There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date, this will be due to a high volume of applications. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly (and your junk folder) as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.
• Some roles may require weekend shift working across multiple sites
• We operate a joint recruitment hub across the North West London Acute Provider Collaborative Group. As part of this, your application and personal data may be shared with partner trusts within the group for recruitment and workforce purposes, in line with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on