Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Support for professional development

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated Band 5 Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist to join the Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiology team at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.

The post, 36 hours per week (0.96 WTE), involves delivering respiratory physiology testing and sleep studies for children, with prior lung function testing experience essential.

Qualifications

• Experience performing a range of lung function investigations.
• Experience working in a NHS clinical environment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality measurements.
• Good communication with patients and carers.

Responsibilities

• Perform standard lung function tests (spirometry, FeNO, nasal NO, bronchodilator response).
• Conduct advanced investigations (MBW, lung volumes, diffusion) as needed.
• Facilitate sleep study investigations (inpatient + home sleep studies).
• Analyze and report sleep studies following standards.
• Maintain and calibrate equipment; support teaching and research.

Skills

Lung function testing

Sleep physiology experience

Interpersonal communication

Autonomous working

Teamwork

Pediatrics experience

Education

BSc Healthcare Science or equivalent

Eligible for Healthcare Science Register (AHCS/RCCP)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Clinical/departmental systems

Job description

Main area Healthcare Science - Respiratory and Sleep Physiology Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 36 hours per week Job ref 387-W&C3885-LH

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Royal Hospital for Children Town Bristol Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 10/09/2026 23:59 Interview date 13/10/2026

Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist

Band 5

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children in the Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiology team!

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic band 5 Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist to join our friendly multidisciplinary team, working 36 hours per week (0.96 WTE). The post holder will contribute to the delivery of respiratory physiology testing within the Children’s Hospital, as well as a high‑quality sleep study service. It is essential that the successful applicant has previous experience of lung function testing, preferably with sleep physiology experience also. It is essential to have a good science background with a BSc in Healthcare Science or equivalent. Excellent attention to detail, organisational skills, and a strong desire to continue a career in respiratory physiology are essential.

We are looking for individuals with enthusiasm, who enjoy working with children, and who are committed to providing a high‑quality service in this healthcare science specialism. Previous experience in respiratory physiology investigations are essential, and recent NHS clinical experience is essential, as is a desire to continue with personal professional development. You must be highly motivated, with an ability to work autonomously and as part of a team. You will also need effective communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to adapt to a busy and varied workload.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for contributing to an efficient and high‑quality service in the field of Paediatric Respiratory Physiology and Sleep Medicine, and for providing the very best care for patients during their inpatient stay or outpatient visit.

• Undertaking a range of standard lung function investigations with inpatients and outpatients (spirometry, FeNO, nasal NO and bronchodilator response assessments), gaining accurate and clinically valuable measurements.
• Performing more complex lung function investigations (multiple breath washout, lung volumes and gas transfer) in line with service development.
• Facilitating the provision of sleep study investigations for inpatients and home sleep studies (overnight oximetry, overnight carbon dioxide monitoring and respiratory polygraphy), ensuring high quality data is captured.
• Performing analysis and reporting of sleep studies, following departmental and international standards.
• Maintaining equipment to ensure that it is functioning to agreed standards and specifications.
• Training and supporting junior staff, and participating in teaching and research activities within the department.

We would very much encourage informal discussions or visits to enable you to find out more about the role and department. Please contact Kate Kilpin ([emailprotected]), Lead Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist for further information. We look forward to hearing from you!

Provisional interview date: Tuesday 13 th October.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the detailed job description and person specification which can be found as an attached document.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

• 5 GCSEs, or equivalent, grade A - C including English, Mathematics and Science
• 3 A-levels grades A*- C including a science subject
• Eligible for Healthcare Science Register registration, such as AHCS, RCCP or equivalent

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Ability to work in line with Trust values at all times
• Proven competence in performing detailed scientific/technical work to documented quality standards
• Ability to work under pressure, manage conflicting tasks and problem solve effectively
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including communicating with patients and carers in sensitive situations
• Confident use of computers, including Microsoft Office and relevant clinical or departmental systems
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience

• Experience of performing a range of lung function investigations
• Experience of working in a clinical environment within the NHS
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of working with children
• Experience of performing sleep physiology investigations
• Experience of supervising or training junior, trainee or student staff
• Experience of working in a respiratory and/or sleep physiology service
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, clinically valuable measurements
• Able to work autonomously within own limitations, seeking advice where appropriate
• Innovative, willing to participate in practice and policy changes, and excellent ability to work well within a team
• Able to participate in frequent light to moderate physical effort and able to deal with exposure to bodily fluids such as urine or sputum
• A desire to pursue a career in respiratory or sleep physiology

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

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 Kate Kilpin Job title Lead Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physiologist Email address [emailprotected] Telephone number 01173423129