Senior Respiratory Clinical Physiologist

Job summary

The Department of Respiratory Medicine is seeking a senior respiratory clinical physiologist to join our friendly multi-disciplinary team and help deliver a comprehensive respiratory diagnostic service for our catchment population in Dorset.

The successful candidate will have been working as a Respiratory Clinical Physiologist at Band 6 and have at least 2-3 years experience at this level and be ready to progress up to a Band 6 role. You should hold a BSc in Respiratory Clinical Physiology, Biological Sciences or an equivalent qualification. The possession of relevant professional qualifications (for example, ARTP part 1 and 2 or practitioner) or working towards achieving these is highly desirable. You should be RCCP registered or at least be eligible for registration.

Main duties of the job

The department provides a broad range of respiratory physiological measurements including Full PFT's (currently using Vyaire equipment including whole body plethysmography), FeNO and exhaled CO monitoring, field walk tests, arterial, venous and capillary blood gas measurements and interpretation, shunt fraction tests, CPET, skin prick testing, methacholine & hypoxic challenges and oxygen assessments. Training and support will be given to the right applicant if they are not fully competent in performing the diagnostic tests that will be part of their duties.

We also provide a sleep diagnostic and CPAP service in partnership with another Trust and so experience of performing and knowledge of analysing respiratory polygraphy sleep studies and CPAP would be an advantage, but not a major requirement of this role and further training can be provided.

About us

Dorset County Hospital is situated on the outskirts of Dorchester, a thriving county town in the heart of Thomas Hardy country. The area has some of the best schools in the country and with Poole and Bournemouth within easy travelling distance there are excellent shopping and entertainment facilities on offer. Nearby is the award winning world heritage coastline with its famous Chesil Beach and in 2012 Weymouth and Portland hosted the sailing events for the Olympic Games.

Date posted: 22 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year Per Annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 405-25-HS141SRCP-A

Job locations: Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY

Job description Job responsibilities

The holder of this post will be responsible for providing and overseeing routine pulmonary function tests and some advanced respiratory diagnostic tests. They would be expected to partake in performing CPET and working towards analysis and interpretation of this test, and so experience of this test performance and ECG monitoring would be ideal but training and development can be given to the right applicant.

They will need to liaise with patients, carers and other healthcare professionals (within secondary care and across primary care networks) to provide and improve the delivery of respiratory services. They will also develop links to improve the performance of spirometry and other respiratory diagnostic procedures in primary care settings.

Respiratory & Sleep Investigations

• To perform a broad range of lung function investigations and interpret as necessary (including Spirometry, Full PFTs inc. Plethysmography, Methacholine Challenge, FeNO, Exercise Tests (including field tests, Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Tests, etc.), skin prick allergy tests, and arterial/capillary blood gas assessments
• To perform Multi-Channel Sleep (Polygraphy) & Overnight Oximetry Studies and interpret as necessary.
• To assist with initiating and monitoring CPAP treatment.
• To assist in running the physiologist-led ILD clinics.
• To produce technically accurate results in accordance with local and national guidelines, including safety and infection control.
• Be competent in manipulating lung function and other computer software to ensure accurate results and clear reports.
• Administrative duties, including stock control and managing inpatient and outpatient appointments (allocating resources, including staff, to ensure efficient use).
• Be responsible for the maintenance, quality assurance, calibration and infection control of all lung function & sleep equipment.
• To oversee the training and development of junior team members and apprentices, including portfolio completion and DOPS, CBDs and OCEs.
• To undergo some clinical systems training (such as Vyaire SentryConnect and Solus by HD Clinical) to ensure the smooth operation of our integrating requesting and reporting systems. This would be part of a group of trained physiologists to ensure system resilience.

Person Specification EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING Essential

• Clinical Physiology Degree (Respiratory and/or Sleep)
• RCCP/AHCS Registered (or eligible for application)

Desirable

• Possession of or working towards relevant professional qualifications (ARTP part 1 and 2) is essential
• Dedication to ongoing professional development and training

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Essential

• Relevant experience of independently working in a clinical physiology discipline at AfC Band 5
• Competency in all routine respiratory physiology testing and able to accurately interpret the results
• Competency in performing sleep diagnostics, especially respiratory polygraphy
• Knowledge of current national, professional and NHS guidelines
• Experience of student/apprentice training and development

Desirable

• Knowledge of advanced respiratory diagnostic testing
• Knowledge of CPAP therapy initiation and ongoing monitoring
• CPET/ECG Experience

SKILLS & ABILITIES Essential

• Ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Ability to obtain the best results from patients that require encouragement and motivational tools
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Quality control of own work

Desirable

• Practical training/education experience
• Flexible and enthusiastic
• Good keyboard / IT skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of hospital IT systems

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: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY

Employer's website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)