The post holder will be responsible for carrying out routine lung function investigations to a high standard and in a professional manner whilst working within departmental guidelines, both at Lewisham Hospital and also in the community setting. They will be required to lead on spirometry training, offering support and guidance to practitioners across a variety of healthcare settings and taking an active role in the continuing professional development of their colleagues.
They will be a clinically credible practitioner who can provide effective patient care in a range of clinical settings, having regard for relevant policies. They will be required to work independently at times, and will be responsible for ensuring that they deliver a safe and effective diagnostic service. They will be expected to prioritise patient referrals.
They will be required to help to develop the service, identifying cost and quality improvements, where appropriate.
Main duties of the job
- To be able to perform a wide range of standard and complex tests and procedures including capillary blood gas monitoring and spirometry.
- Participate in evaluation, audit, and research and incorporate appropriate findings into practice.
- Actively work to promote health and prevent ill health in staff, patients, and their relatives.
- Promote and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for patients, visitors, and colleagues.
- To work independently under indirect supervision of the senior lung function technician across a variety of settings in the community. Offering education and performing spirometry.
- Ensuring that diagnostics are undertaken safely and in a timely manner, reporting and documenting results appropriately and in line with legislation, policies and procedures.
Main tests to be performed
- spirometry with reversibility
- FeNo
- Issuing overnight oximeters
- Capillary blood gases
- Calibration/verification
- 6MNWT
- Reporting faulty equipment according to local protocols and reporting to senior colleagues
- Managing own patient caseload/clinics
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for carrying out routine lung function investigations to a high standard and in a professional manner whilst working within departmental guidelines, both at Lewisham Hospital and also in the community setting. They will be required to lead on spirometry training, offering support and guidance to practitioners across a variety of healthcare settings and taking an active role in the continuing professional development of their colleagues.
Main tests to be performed:
- spirometry with reversibility
- FeNo
- Issuing overnight oximeters
- Capillary blood gases
- Calibration/verification
- 6MNWT
- Reporting faulty equipment according to local protocols and reporting to senior colleagues
- Managing own patient caseload/clinics
Person Specification
Essential and desirable
- BSc in Respiratory and sleep physiology or equivalent or/and Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (ARTP) Spirometry certificate (either Full/performing)
- Experience of working in the NHS. Experience of working with patients who are living with asthma/COPD/sleep apnoea . Experience of performing spirometry, FeNo and reversibility testing using MDI's
- RCCP/AHCS/ARTP Registration or eligibility to register.
- Experience of working within a lung function/spirometry service. Experience of working within varied clinical settings including the community. Issuing overnight sleep studies and capillary blood gases. Experience performing 6 Minutes' Walk Test (6MWT's)
- BSc in Respiratory and sleep physiology or equivalent
- Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (ARTP) Spirometry certificate (either Full/performing)
- Experience of working in the NHS
- Experience of working with patients who are living with asthma/COPD/sleep apnoea .
- Experience of performing spirometry, FeNo and reversibility testing using MDI's
- Computer skills including word and excel. Ability to manage own caseload with access to qualified staff. Ability to write results of interventions clearly and concisely. Ability to anticipate and forward plan.
- Ability to analyse complex data and report to senior members of staff. Able to undertake complex tests. Ability to communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing. Ability to work independently using own initiative.
- Fit for active physical workload and resilient under reasonable pressure of work. Ability to gain co-operation and motivate others. Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
- RCCP/AHCS/ARTP Registration or eligibility to register.
- Experience of working within a lung function/spirometry service. Experience of working within varied clinical settings including the community. Issuing overnight sleep studies and capillary blood gases.
- Experience performing 6 Minutes' Walk Test (6MWT's)
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.
£31,049 to £37,796 a yearper annum plus HCA