Band 7 Highly Specialised Cardiac Physiologist (Echocardiography)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Sutton Coldfield; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Band 7 highly specialised cardiac physiology post is centred on echocardiography within the BSE-accredited echo department at Good Hope Hospital, part of University Hospitals Birmingham. Core duties include complex adult scans, reporting, service coordination, and deputising for senior colleagues.

Registration with RCCP or AHCS is required, or the ability to register. The role also involves training and supervising multidisciplinary staff and contributing to audit, research and service

Qualifications

• BSc in Clinical Physiology or equivalent, or Masters in Cardiac Science or equivalent.
• Masters-level specialist knowledge in at least one area of clinical physiology, or equivalent.
• Adult TTE BSE accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Perform and report adult echocardiograms, noting significant findings and measurements.
• Perform complex echo techniques (transesophageal, 3D, stress, tissue velocity imaging, bubble, contrast).
• Provide complex cardiology diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for inpatients and outpatients of all ages.
• Interpret and report investigations; seek advice when needed.
• Coordinate and lead the echo service, deputising for seniors.
• Train, supervise, assess and support professional development of staff.
• Quality-assure reports from physiologists and juniors.
• Provide expert clinical opinion to colleagues on test selection.
• Communicate complex information to patients and relatives; monitor during investigations.
• Help develop safe protocols and policies with senior colleagues.

Skills

Echocardiography expertise

Staff training & supervision

Clinical reporting

Emergency response

Education

BSc in Clinical Physiology

Masters in Cardiac Science

Adult TTE BSE accreditation

Job description

A Band 7 highly specialised cardiac physiology post centred on echocardiography, sitting in the BSE-accredited echo department at Good Hope Hospital within University Hospitals Birmingham. The core work is performing and reporting complex adult scans and specialist procedures, co-ordinating the service day to day and deputising for senior colleagues. The role also trains and supervises staff, with possible seven-day working, cross-site cover and on-call duties. Registration with RCCP or AHCS is needed, or the ability to register.

What the job involves

• Perform and report adult echocardiograms, acting on significant adverse findings and adding measurements and non-standard views
• Perform highly complex echo techniques, including transoesophageal, 3D, stress, tissue velocity imaging, bubble, contrast and research studies
• Provide highly complex specialist cardiology diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to inpatients and outpatients of all ages
• Interpret and report on own and others' investigations, seeking further advice where needed
• Co-ordinate and lead the echocardiography service day to day, deputising for senior colleagues
• Train, supervise, assess and support the professional development of multidisciplinary staff
• Quality-assure reports from physiologist colleagues and junior staff
• Give expert clinical opinion and advice to medical and physiologist colleagues, including on test selection
• Communicate complex clinical information to patients and relatives and monitor patients during investigations
• Help develop safe protocols and policies with senior colleagues and the Head Physiologist
• Support BSE accreditation, service development, quality improvement, audit and research
• Work with other professionals and agencies to meet changing healthcare needs

What’s required

Qualifications

• BSc in Clinical Physiology or equivalent, or Masters in Cardiac Science or equivalent
• Masters-level specialist knowledge in at least one area of clinical physiology, or equivalent
• Adult TTE BSE accreditation

Registration & licences

• RCCP or AHCS registration, or able to register

Experience

• Formal training and practice in highly complex cardiac investigations, and supervisory experience
• PC, data entry and cardiology IT storage systems experience

Skills & knowledge

• Proficiency in a wide range of complex echo testing, including equipment faults, calibration and quality control
• Evaluating equipment and services, and managing and requisitioning stock
• Managing own and others' workload against competing priorities
• Training, motivating and supervising medical and technical staff
• Writing accurate clinical and technical reports
• Acting appropriately in emergencies and on significant clinical findings

Other

• Liaising with medical, nursing and management staff, and dealing with conflict
• Working to tight deadlines in a busy setting, handling clinical information confidentially
• Awareness of NHS issues affecting cardiac physiology, and familiarity with audit and statistical data
• Flexibility for possible 7-day working, cross-site work and on-call duty

Nice to have

• Training or assessor qualification
• ASCST or MSCST
• Health and safety knowledge and experience
• Research experience
• Experience of staff side matters and HR issues