Spinal Monitoring Physiologist

Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare institution in the UK seeks an experienced professional to provide specialized intra-operative spinal cord monitoring during surgeries. The role requires collaboration with medical staff and active participation in quality assurance practices. The ideal candidate has a degree in Clinical Neurophysiology and expertise in monitoring techniques, ensuring a high standard of care in challenging environments. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Commitment to personal development

Flexible working arrangements

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Expertise in performing and interpreting intra-operative spinal cord monitoring.
• Experience in EEG, EMG, and NCS.
• Ability to work in high-pressure surgical environments.

Responsibilities

• Implement policies and procedures for IOM services.
• Train and support junior staff and medical personnel.
• Manage IOM service in the absence of the service manager.

Skills

Intra-operative monitoring

Neurophysiology expertise

Collaborative skills

Quality assurance

Education

Degree in Clinical Neurophysiology or relevant field

Job description

This role provides highly specialised intra-operative spinal cord monitoring (IOM) predominantly during surgery for spinal deformity, using somatosensory and transcranial motor evoked potentials, and pre-operative evoked potential assessment for patients due to undergo spinal surgery when required. It also involves routine EEG, NCS, EMG and specialised Clinical Neurophysiology services across a range of procedures on patients with developmental, neurological and/or psychiatric disorders referred to the department from across the Trust and other hospitals.

Responsibilities

• Actively contribute and implement policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in training, education and assessment in line with National and Professional requirements.
• Participate in quality assurance and/or research and developmental programmes.
• Work collaboratively on a day-to-day basis with others to contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the service.
• To be responsible for planning and performing highly specialised IOM in the paediatric and adult operating theatres and pre-operatively, liaising with spinal surgery/orthopaedics and the neurophysiology service manager.
• To be responsible for performing, assessing and interpreting highly specialist and complex IOM procedures tailored to the specific patient requirements and surgical procedures, in the absence of a Consultant Neurophysiologist, in collaboration with Orthopaedic surgeons.
• To undertake IOM tasks with accuracy and speed to achieve quality data and interpretation.
• To undertake IOM tasks in challenging and sometimes unpleasant environments e.g. exposure to blood or other body fluids in operating theatres and prolonged hours.
• To obtain and optimise collection of patient data throughout the testing period to enable accurate and efficient interpretative analysis of tests.
• To continually monitor, take initiative and appropriate action where necessary in an effective and timely manner.
• To liaise with equipment manufacturers over faults or problems with equipment, databases or software used in any part of the service and ensure that all members of staff are informed and trained to deal with changes in operating procedures.

Further Responsibilities

1. Attend relevant clinical, technical and non-clinical meetings, as required, and ensure best practice in IOM and Neurophysiology.
2. Ensure personal compliance with regards to mandatory, professional, and personal development according to service needs.
3. Maintain quality control procedures as directed by departmental policy including regular machine verification.
4. Develop and maintain unified quality standards for the service across the Trust.
5. Respond to any complaints, inform the clinical service manager and assist with the response to these as required.
6. Rectify faults detected in equipment and arrange for repairs to be carried out where possible.
7. Liaise with doctors, nursing and ancillary staff to promote the smooth running of the IOM and Neurophysiology service to achieve good communication between all members of the team.
8. Work within agreed policies and protocols of the Trust and professional body.
9. Contribute to the implementation of the Trust and Directorate framework for clinical governance, including performing audits and setting of standards for the speciality and the Trust, thereby monitoring, maintaining and improving a quality service.
10. Ensure safe working practices and a safe environment for the delivery of the service.
11. Undertake responsibility for the efficient and effective use of financial resources.

Management and Training

1. Deputise and manage and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the IOM service in the absence of the service manager.
2. Teach, supervise and support the junior technical staff within the service.
3. Teach medical and non-medical staff within the Trust as and when required.
4. Liaise with IOM and Clinical Neurophysiology managers to plan workload.
5. Assist in the preparation of appropriate and accurate statistical information and audit for the Department as required.
6. Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained.
7. Ensure that the Trust's Equal Opportunities policy is adhered to by all staff, contractors and outside agencies while in the department.
8. Liaise to ensure accurate logging and filing of data from neurophysiological investigations and be responsible for its availability and retrieval.

Research and Development

1. Actively participate or support any ongoing research, clinical trials and publications undertaken by the Department and collaborate with other departments within the Trust when necessary.
2. Liaise with the service manager and consultant(s) to introduce new technology and methods that will benefit the Department and the Trust.

Benefits of Joining

You’ll be part of a team that values personal growth, open communication and shared learning. New staff are supported from day one, and the positive team culture makes it a great place to develop your skills and build confidence in clinical neurophysiology.

Flexible Working

We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking into account the individual's personal circumstances as well as the needs of the service.

Equal Opportunities

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitably according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studies at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.

Application

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