Assistant Practitioner (Respiratory Physiology)

Esneft; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension

Flexible working options

Staff discounts

Job summary

ESNEFT's Respiratory Physiology team at Ipswich Hospital invites an Assistant Practitioner to support the Lung Function Unit. You will assist with spirometry, set up home sleep study devices and contribute to patient care in a busy NHS department.

The role is full-time (37.5 hours) and fixed-term for 12 months, Band 3, with a salary of £25,760–£27,476 per annum. Training to ARTP Spirometry Certification is provided, with potential extension and development opportunities within ESNEFT.

Qualifications

• GCSE grade 4/old C or 4/5 in Maths/English/Science
• NVQ Level III in science/healthcare-related subject
• Attendance or completion of sleep/respiratory courses/training
• Experience in respiratory physiology or sleep medicine (desirable)

Responsibilities

• Perform simple respiratory/sleep procedures in the Lung Function Unit and wards
• Calibrate/validate equipment, following SOPs and manufacturers’ guidance
• Triage CPAP patient queries and fulfil CPAP consumable requests
• General clerical admin duties in the Lung Function Unit

Skills

Experience with patients

Communication skills

IT literate

Education

GCSE Maths/English/Science

NVQ Level III in science/healthcare

Sleep/respiratory courses/training

Job description

Assistant Practitioner (Respiratory Physiology)

NHS AfC: Band 3

Main area Respiratory Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (until 1st November 2027) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 432-HR843-26

Site Ipswich Hospital Town Ipswich Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 30/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 09/10/2026

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

Job overview

As a department we provide a comprehensive sleep and respiratory diagnostic service to patients of all ages, referred from a wide range of specialities from across the region. We are looking for a motivated individual with an interest in respiratory physiology, to support the running of the Lung Function Unit. This opportunity is open to individuals who are looking to begin their journey in this field and individuals with relevant experience.

You will be trained to perform spirometry, set up and issue home sleep study devices, as well as other various tasks to support the service. It is expected that you will complete the ARTP Spirometry Certification (if appropriate) and be fully competent within 6 to 9 months of starting. This is a fixed term post with the possibility of extension.

Main duties of the job

• Simple respiratory/sleep procedures in the Lung Function Unit and on the wards, in accordance with the professional body guidelines/standards (ARTP), European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society criteria and departmental SOPs. (Please find full list of procedures within the Job Description attached).
• Appropriate daily equipment calibration/validations utilising both mechanical and biological control procedures, in line with professional body and equipment manufacturer recommendations.
• Triage of CPAP patient queries and fulfilment of patient CPAP consumable requests.
• General clerical administrative duties in the Lung Function Unit

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person specification

Experience

• Experience of scientific method from school/college/previous employment
• Previous NHS experience or working with patients/relatives in a healthcare environment
• Experience of working in respiratory and/or sleep medicine
• Experience performing spirometry

Qualifications

• GCSE grade 4 or above (new GCSE grades) or C or above (old GCSE grades) in Maths/English and Science or equivalent
• NVQ Level III in science/healthcare-related subject or equivalent level/experience.
• Attendance or completion of applicable sleep/respiratory courses/training

Knowledge

• Knowledge of/understanding of basic sleep and lung function tests (e.g. Spirometry and sleep studies)
• IT literate
• Excellent communications skills both verbal and written.
• Dexterity and hand-eye coordination to facilitate equipment use during dynamic tests/manoeuvres
• Understanding of common terminology used in respiratory physiology
• Awareness of respiratory and sleep disorders (e.g. asthma/COPD and sleep apnoea)

Please note that where response levels are exceptional we may close the post before the specified date, therefore early application is recommended.

Successful candidates may be charged for their DBS check. Please ensure you read the information found in the attached DBS Information document

The Trust is committed to its staff and their development and to equal opportunities and diversity. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.

Whilst we welcome applications from all and your application will be considered on individual merit, if you are offered a position and require a Skilled Worker Certificate of Sponsorship we may not be able to process your application to the final stage due to Home Office eligibility. Please note Band 2 roles are not eligible for sponsorship.

In submitting an application form, you authorise East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post.

We do not charge any fees at any stage of our recruitment process, including job applications, interviews, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Victoria Oyenuga Job title Senior Chief Clinical Respiratory Physiologist Email address [e-mail]