Specialist Sleep Physiologist / Scientist

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital service is seeking a dynamic Band 7 Sleep Physiologist / Scientist to join their expanding sleep service in Liverpool. The role involves managing patient care, conducting and interpreting sleep studies, and taking on managerial responsibilities within the department.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and/or management experience with sleep disorders.
• Thorough history taking and clinical examination skills required.

Responsibilities

• Manage patient care from referral to long-term support.
• Conduct sleep studies and interpret results.
• Engage with the specialist sleep MDT and coordinate educational efforts.

Skills

Clinical examination skills

Knowledge of sleep-related disorders

Management experience

Communication skills

Job description

Sleep Physiologist / Scientist – Band 7

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and enthusiastic Band 7 Clinical Physiologist / Scientist to join our expanding Liverpool Sleep and Ventilation Service. We welcome applications from colleagues with a particular interest in caring for patients within the respiratory medicine specialty. Opportunities are available to gain exposure in Respiratory function testing and Cardiology diagnostics if desired.

The successful candidate will use determination and compassion to care for and manage patients throughout their journey—from referral, diagnosis, selection of appropriate treatment pathways, holistic assessments, to long-term care and support for patients requiring ventilatory support. This includes reviewing patients in outpatient and inpatient settings, via telephone or face-to-face, who present with a variety of sleep-related disorders.

The Specialist Sleep Physiologist / Scientist will be expected to manage their workload and work closely within the specialist Sleep MDT.

The successful candidate will support the service lead and take on a managerial role within the department. This involves advising on professional matters, developing and maintaining protocols, managing departmental operational issues, and assisting in coordinating sleep physiology education both internally and externally.

Extensive knowledge and/or management experience of individuals with sleep-related disorders are essential. The role includes caring for patients with breathing-related sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), as well as non-breathing related sleep disorders like narcolepsy, REM behaviour disorder, and circadian rhythm disorders.

Thorough history taking and appropriate clinical examination skills are essential. The role involves reviewing patients, setting them up with CPAP therapy, evaluating therapy efficacy, and identifying the need for further testing. Patients with OSA or OHS may be at high clinical risk; the physiologist/scientist should identify deterioration, escalate care as needed, and perform and interpret arterial blood gases.

The role includes performing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on sleep studies such as oximetry, polygraphy, actigraphy, and advanced studies like PSG, MSLT, and MWT. Ensuring quality control and developing an inter-scorer reliability program are also key responsibilities. Participation in the specialist sleep MDT is required.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, and Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of the NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the merger of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, with a shared aim to improve patient care.

The Group employs over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to serving our communities across Merseyside, providing a wide range of hospital services from birth to beyond.

For further details or informal visits, contact:

• Name: Gavin Phillips
• Job Title: Sleep Laboratory Manager
• Email: [e-mail]
• Telephone: [phone]