Healthcare Scientist - Respiratory/Sleep Physiology

NHS; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Maidstone is seeking a qualified Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist to deliver high-quality patient care. The role includes performing complex tests, supervising junior staff, and interpreting results. Candidates must hold a relevant degree and demonstrate expertise in respiratory physiology. The position offers flexible working hours and a comprehensive benefits package including annual leave and NHS pension membership.

Benefits

At least 27 days of annual leave

NHS Pension Scheme eligibility

Blue Light card eligibility

Qualifications

• BSc Clinical Physiology (Respiratory and Sleep) or equivalent required.
• Relevant Master qualification or experience in respiratory and sleep physiology.
• Registered with AHCS/HCPC or in process of registration.
• Competence in producing accurate test data from complex respiratory tests.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality Respiratory and Sleep test service.
• Interpret results and provide technical reports.
• Supervise, guide, and support junior staff.
• Deputise for the principal respiratory physiologist.

Job description

Job summary

The post holder will provide specialist clinical physiology knowledge within respiratory and sleep and will ensure best principles of care are provided to patients at our acute sites Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital and new Community Diagnostic Centre.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high quality, appropriate and effective Respiratory and Sleep test service; interpret results and provide technical reports

Responsible for the monitoring and performance of calibration and quality control procedures for all equipment

Proven competency to be able to supervise, guide and support all junior staff and other professionals

To deputise for the principal respiratory physiologist

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Please note this role may close earlier than the original closing date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.

About us

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Details Date posted

01 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

359-7126140-T2-C

Job locations

Cross Site (Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital) and the West Kent CDC

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ

Job description Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency must ensure that it is, or is equivalent to, IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or IELTS level 8.0 with no element below 7.5 for Speech and language therapists).

Job description Job responsibilities

Weve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Applicants whose first language is not English and who are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency must ensure that it is, or is equivalent to, IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or IELTS level 8.0 with no element below 7.5 for Speech and language therapists).

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• BSc Clinical Physiology (Respiratory and Sleep) or equivalent
• Relevant Master qualification or STP or relevant experience in respiratory and sleep physiology
• Registered with AHCS/ HCPC (or in process of registration)
• ARTP Part 1 & 2 or ARTP practitioner

Desirable

• Research evidence
• Mentoring qualification

Experience Essential

• Post registration experience in respiratory physiology
• Experience of teaching / mentoring staff.
• Experience of research and audit together with presentation skills.

Knowledge Essential

• Must be competent in producing accurate test data from highly complex respiratory tests
• Management and development of clinical protocols
• A thorough understanding of respiratory physiology

Desirable

• Trained in sleep physiology
• Highly complex procedures including full polysomnography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and respiratory muscle testing.
• An understanding of sleep physiology

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• BSc Clinical Physiology (Respiratory and Sleep) or equivalent
• Relevant Master qualification or STP or relevant experience in respiratory and sleep physiology
• Registered with AHCS/ HCPC (or in process of registration)
• ARTP Part 1 & 2 or ARTP practitioner

Desirable

• Research evidence
• Mentoring qualification

Experience Essential

• Post registration experience in respiratory physiology
• Experience of teaching / mentoring staff.
• Experience of research and audit together with presentation skills.

Knowledge Essential

• Must be competent in producing accurate test data from highly complex respiratory tests
• Management and development of clinical protocols
• A thorough understanding of respiratory physiology

Desirable

• Trained in sleep physiology
• Highly complex procedures including full polysomnography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and respiratory muscle testing.
• An understanding of sleep physiology

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site (Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital) and the West Kent CDC

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ

Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Address

Cross Site (Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital) and the West Kent CDC

Hermitage Lane

Maidstone

ME16 9QQ

Employer's website

https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)