Principal Clinical Autonomic Scientist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job description

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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:

• Staff Development
• Safe Practice
• Quality and Efficiency
• Service development, locally and nationally
• Research/audit
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Strategy and planning
• Budget Management
• 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.

About us

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
• 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.

Job 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 top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.

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

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

• 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

• 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

• Ability to concentrate and to work under pressure.
• Ability to provide effective training to staff grades working in the section/department.
• Track record of research and publications.
• Understanding/knowledge of research ethics.

Communication, accountability and interpersonal Skills

• 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 accordance with 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

• Approachable.
• Team Player.

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

• Demonstrable 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:

• 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.

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.

Address

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

£61,927 to £68,676 a year per annum inclusive

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

309-UCLH-6148

Job locations

National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery