Principal Clinical Autonomic Scientist

The use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it, then they are required to declare this in their supporting statement.

Job overview

The Autonomic Unit (a leading nationally and internationally recognised centre dealing with a wide variety of autonomic disorders with a strong academic link with the Institute of Neurology) requires an exceptional experienced Senior Clinical Autonomic Scientist/Practitioner to advance this key healthcare science role.

The Autonomic Unit provides an integrated investigational, diagnostic and therapeutic management service for people with a variety of autonomic nervous system disorders. You will be part of the healthcare science team performing comprehensive specialist physiological investigations on patients with neurological and other medical disorders to inform diagnosis and therapy.

The Principal Clinical Autonomic Scientist leads the clinical autonomic science team, manages the Autonomic Unit day to day and represents autonomic healthcare science locally, nationally and internationally. The successful applicant will have extensive experience of a wide range of specialist autonomic function testing in a clinical context and documented experience of significant contributions and/or formal learning relating to:

1. Staff Development
2. Safe Practice
3. Quality and Efficiency
4. Service development, locally and nationally
5. Research/audit
6. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
7. Strategy and planning
8. Healthcare Education
9. Budget Management
10. Professional Standards

Main duties of the job

1. Training for clinical autonomic scientists/practitioners is by an 'apprenticeship/system led by experienced staff. The post holder will be responsible for oversight of this training, standards of performance and examination of 'apprentices'.
2. The post holder is the departmental budget holder responsible for spending remaining within budget.
3. Responsible for meeting activity and income targets for the autonomic investigation service.
4. Line manager for the autonomic healthcare science team.
5. Responsible for the departmental continuing professional development seminar programme.
6. Member of the departmental management team.
7. National representative for autonomic neuroscience.
8. Provides specialist advice to users of the autonomic service.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital
• Eastman Dental Hospital
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospitals at Westmoreland Street

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Please note, due to anticipated high volumes of applications, this vacancy may close earlier than the listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff - To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• First or second class Master's degree in physiology, biomedical science or neuroscience, or equivalent specialist knowledge.
• Evidence of satisfactory participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or recognised equivalent (European Federation of Autonomic society and equivalent).

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant previous experience in the full range of autonomic diagnostic disorders.
• Previous experience in Advanced autonomic testing (pharmacological stimulation).
• Experience in a management role including training and supervision, appraisal, sickness management, resource management, procurement and allocation of workload.
• Up to date awareness of International policies affecting the NHS and Autonomic testing skills required (International Guideline for Autonomic testing).
• A good record of research and development experience as appropriate to the service including involvement in national guideline on diagnosis and treatment of autonomic disorders and experience of presentation of scientific data at national and international meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.
• Highly developed trouble shooting and problem-solving skills to apply to his/her work and the work of others in the department including techniques and specialist equipment.

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to concentrate and to work under pressure.
• Good computer literacy.
• Ability to provide effective training to staff grades working in the section/department.

Desirable criteria

• Track record of research and publications.
• Understanding/knowledge of research ethics.

Communication, accountability and interpersonal Skills

Essential criteria

• To understand, communicate and implement appropriate aspects relating to the quality of service in theory and practice.
• To understand and apply the principles of Clinical Governance, audit and internal and external quality control in according to Best Practice Guidelines.
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information e.g. test results, to users of the service and other health care professionals.
• Good personal (and team) organisational skills.

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Approachable.
• Empathetic.
• Team Player.

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties.

Ensure the risk of infection to self, colleagues, patients, relatives and visitors is minimised by:

Essential criteria

• Being familiar with, and adhering to Trust policies and guidance on infection prevention and control.
• Completing all required training and education (both via e-learning and face to face) on infection prevention and control.
• Including infection prevention and control as an integral part of your continuous personal/professional development and included in your annual appraisal.
• Taking personal responsibility so far as is reasonably practicable, in helping ensure that effective prevention and control of health care associated infections is embedded into everyday practice and applied consistently.

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment.

We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.

Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage's staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.

We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.

Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor's contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.

You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

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.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 496.3KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 262.3KB)
• UCLH Values (PDF, 860.9KB)