Chief Respiratory and Sleep Clinical Physiologist / Clinical Scientist

Integrated Care System; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Dorchester is seeking a Chief Respiratory and Sleep Clinical Physiologist / Clinical Scientist. The role involves delivering advanced respiratory diagnostics, overseeing CPAP services, and providing training and support to staff in a multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in clinical physiology with a commitment to high-quality patient service.

Qualifications

• Experience in advanced lung function procedures.
• Registered or eligible for registration under RCCP/AHCS or HCPC.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in respiratory medicine.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the delivery of pulmonary function diagnostics.
• Performing and analysing respiratory polygraphy sleep studies.
• Supervising and training students and healthcare staff.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Teaching Skills

Education

BSc Clinical Respiratory Physiology

MSc in a closely associated subject

Job description

Go back Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Respiratory and Sleep Clinical Physiologist / Clinical Scientist

The closing date is 13 July 2025

The Department of Respiratory Medicine is seeking an experienced respiratory and sleep clinical physiologist / Clinical Scientist to join our friendly multi-disciplinary team and help deliver a comprehensive respiratory and sleep diagnostic service for the population of West Dorset and CPAP for the county of Dorset.

The department provides a broad range of respiratory physiological measurements including full PFT's (using Vyaire equipment and including whole body plethysmography), FeNO and exhaled CO monitoring, walk tests, arterial, venous and capillary blood gas measurements and interpretation, shunt fraction tests, CPET, skin prick testing, methacholine & hypoxic challenges and oxygen assessments. Full training and support can be given to the right applicant if they are not fully competent in all of these measurements.

We also provide a pan-Dorset CPAP service and so experience of performing and analysing respiratory polygraphy sleep studies and CPAP set-up and reviews would be necessary and further training can be provided.

Main duties of the job

The holder of this post will be responsible for providing and overseeing the full range of pulmonary function tests. They would be expected to perform CPET so will need to have had experience of this diagnostic test and ideally ECG monitoring and interpretation, but training and development can be given if the right applicant is not fully competent in this.

They will also be able to perform, analyse and report on respiratory polygraphy sleep studies. A part of this role is also to support the pan-Dorset CPAP service, which includes service organisation, performing and overseeing CPAP set-ups and reviews, and support in delivering service objectives across multiple sites.

They will need to liaise with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals (within secondary care and across primary care networks) to provide and improve the delivery of respiratory and services.

The ideal applicant will need to be efficient, organised and flexible to be able to cope with varying demands on their time and skills. The successful applicant would have a Clinical Physiology Degree (Respiratory), or equivalent, will need to demonstrate experience in advanced lung function procedures and be registered or eligible for registration under the RCCP/AHCS or HCPC.

The post will be based in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Dorset County Hospital though the post holder may be expected to work at other locations around the county.

About us

Dorset County Hospital is situated on the outskirts of Dorchester, a thriving county town in the heart of Thomas Hardy country. The area has some of the best schools in the country and with Poole and Bournemouth within easy travelling distance there are excellent shopping and entertainment facilities on offer. Nearby is the award winning world heritage coastline with its famous Chesil Beach and in 2012 Weymouth and Portland hosted the sailing events for the Olympic Games.

Job responsibilities

To work as part of the multi-disciplinary respiratory medicine team to provide and develop a comprehensive and efficient service of the highest quality. The job role will be split between respiratory and sleep/CPAP specialisms, with the time allocation at each specialism to be determined.

From a respiratory perspective, you will oversee the delivery the full range of pulmonary function diagnostics (including cardio-pulmonary exercise testing, oxygen assessments and bronchial challenge testing). This should include presenting and checking results, writing reports and clinical interpretation of the results.

From a sleep/CPAP perspective, you would be required to support the efficient management of sleep diagnostics and CPAP delivery by overseeing the performance and analysis of investigations (such as respiratory polygraphy) and initiate and monitor therapeutic interventions (such as CPAP). It may also be necessary to perform these tasks to help cover staff leave or during periods of high activity levels.

To supervise and train students & other members of healthcare staff; providing support and training in all aspects of respiratory & sleep diagnostics.

To develop service protocols and processes towards the necessary standards required for IQIPS accreditation, which should be a 3-5 year goal.

Respiratory & Sleep Investigations

• To be able to perform Respiratory Polygraphy Sleep Studies & Overnight Oximetry Studies and interpret as necessary including triaging referrals and taking clinical history.
• To recommend treatment options in accordance with treatment pathways including initiating and monitoring CPAP therapy, when necessary
• To perform a broad range of lung function investigations and interpret as necessary. (including Spirometry, Full PFTs inc. Whole Body Plethysmography, Methacholine Challenge Tests, various Exercise Tests, etc.).
• To run and oversee the Physiologist-Led ILD clinics.
• To produce technically accurate results in accordance with local and national guidelines, including safety and infection control.
• Be competent in manipulating lung function and other computer software to ensure accurate results and clear reports.
• Administrative duties, including stock control and managing inpatient and outpatient appointments. Allocating resources, including staff, to ensure their efficient use.
• Be responsible for the maintenance, quality assurance, calibration and infection control of all lung function and, when necessary, sleep equipment.

Professional

• Maintain a high standard of clinical practice by developing own knowledge and skills including CPD and registration.
• To recognise the limits of your abilities and therefore be able to ask questions of your line manager.
• To be reliable, punctual and flexible at all times and maintain a smart appearance.
• To participate in departmental audit and research projects including publication at national level.

Teaching & Training

• To provide education and training to other healthcare professionals and students (physiologists, nurses, physiotherapists, etc)
• To deliver training and advice on spirometry and any other respiratory diagnostic procedures being performed in other areas (including primary care).
• To attend and present at departmental educational meetings

Departmental

• To contribute to, and actively lead in, areas for service development including regular department meetings.
• Develop and review departmental protocols and guidelines in accordance with published evidence and best practice.
• To assist with the daily administrative duties and maintenance of departmental records.
• Inputting data and generating reports from the various departmental databases.
• Appropriate use of hospital information systems including timely uploading of test results.

Person Specification

Education, Qualifications & Training

• BSc Clinical Respiratory Physiology, Healthcare Science, or suitable equivalent
• ARTP Part 1 & 2 or equivalent
• Basic Life Support training
• ARTP Blood Gas Sampling & Analysis certificate
• ARTP Pulse Oximetry & Polygraphy certificate
• ARTP Advanced CPAP Practitioner certificate
• Registered or eligible to register with RCCP/HCPC/AHCS or equivalent
• MSc in a closely associated subject or equivalent workplace experience
• Mentorship or clinical assessor's qualification

Knowledge & Experience

• Thorough understanding of respiratory physiology and physiological diagnostic tests, sleep studies, and CPAP therapy, and able to work in these areas independently
• Minimum 3 years of working in a respiratory, sleep medicine, or ventilation service
• Experience of training, mentoring, and supervising junior staff
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Experience of working in a busy outpatient environment
• Able to teach clinical skills, undertake clinical assessments of skills, and provide constructive feedback to trainees
• Knowledge of local and national NHS plans and strategies
• Experience of managing a team

Skills & Abilities

• Holds or willing to work towards gaining required professional qualifications
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Commitment to upholding values of respect, dignity, integrity, safety, teamwork, compassion, excellence, and inclusivity
• Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent communication skills, able to adapt communication approach to suit situation
• Good understanding of when to seek help or escalate to senior staff
• Good organisation and attention to detail
• Innovative and creative approach to problem solving
• Able to apply learning and experience to new situations
• Enthusiastic about developing a new service
• Able to take part in expanded working hours
• Able to prioritise own workload
• Good fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• Able to travel to work at other sites across Dorset

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.

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust