Assistant Respiratory Physiologist

Royal Berkshire Nhs Foundation Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Respiratory Physiologist. The role provides a pathway to become an Assistant Clinical Respiratory Physiologist, with training across a range of respiratory function investigations and sleep/ventilation services.

You will join a multi-site team, undertake an in-service training program, and may pursue a professional qualification exam path in post.

Qualifications

• Essential: Minimum 5 GCSEs (A–C) including Maths, English and Science
• A-Levels or equivalent in a scientific subject
• Recognised Spirometry Qualification
• Clinical/healthcare/relevant scientific experience
• Respiratory Physiology experience

Responsibilities

• Train to perform a range of respiratory function investigations under supervision
• Gain skills in basic diagnostic procedures and treatment in sleep and ventilation service
• Undertake an in-service training program and complete a professional qualification exam when ready
• Assist in diagnostic tests to nationally recognised standards for accuracy and quality
• Assist with CPAP Trial setups and review CPAP therapy for sleep apnoea patients
• Contribute to CPET and exercise testing as needed

Skills

Clinical/healthcare experience

Respiratory physiology experience

Education

GCSEs (Maths, English, Science)

A-Levels or equivalent in a scientific subject

Recognised Spirometry Qualification

Job description

Assistant Respiratory Physiologist Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust•Reading, United Kingdom

Job summary

Band 4 Respiratory Physiologist

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team and develop to become an Assistant Clinical Respiratory Physiologist.

This is a period of ever expanding service for the department and this is an opportunity for you to be involved in the continued development of a laboratory where scientific process, data quality and patient experience are at the core of the daily activities.

Main duties of the job

You will train to perform a range of respiratory function investigations under the supervision of the Respiratory Physiologists. You will also gain skills in performing basic diagnostic procedures and treatment provision in our sleep and ventilation service. Once in post, you will undertake an in-service training program and when ready to do so, will complete a professional qualification exam. For the right candidate, there is also the possibility for future study whilst in post.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital foundation trusts in the country, and currently touch the lives of half a million patients in the west of Berkshire every year by providing high quality acute medical and surgical services for our local communities.

Our values:

• Aspirational
• Resourceful

Job responsibilities

To assist in the multi-site-provision of diagnostic assessment services in Respiratory Physiology and the therapeutic monitoring of patients with lung disease and/or sleep disordered breathing.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To perform diagnostic tests to nationally recognised standards for accuracy and quality.

To perform the following investigations under the supervision of the Clinical Respiratory Physiologists:

• Spirometry (measurement of dynamic flows and volumes)
• Measurement of static lung volumes by Helium dilution technique, Nitrogen Washout and Body Plethysmography.
• Gas transfer for Carbon Monoxide by single breath technique
• Assist with Bronchodilator Response Testing
• Assist with field exercise tests (6 minute walk test; shuttle test).
• Measurement of respiratory muscle strength (MIP/MEP; SNIP tests; postural spirometry).
• To assist in the performance of hypoxic inhalation tests (fitness to fly).
• To assist in the performance of methacholine challenge tests.
• To assist in the performance of earlobe blood gas sampling and analysis.
• To perform diagnostic tests in patients who have suspected sleep related breathing disorders.
• To assist in the performance of CPAP Trial set ups for patients with diagnosed Sleep Apnoea.
• To assist in the review of CPAP therapy for patients with diagnosed Sleep Apnoea who on CPAP.
• To assist in the performance of cardio-pulmonary exercise tests (CPET).

Please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum 5 GCSE (A-C) Including Maths, English and Science
• A-Levels or equivalent in a scientific subject
• Recognised Spirometry Qualification
• Clinical/healthcare/relevant scientific experience
• Respiratory Physiology experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Lead Respiratory Physiologist, Mark Unstead, [e-mail], 01183225111