Trainee Clinical Respiratory Physiologist

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Luton, Dunstable; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Trainee Clinical Respiratory Physiologist (Band 4) to join the Respiratory Physiology Department across Luton and Dunstable and Bedford Hospital. The post offers 37.5 hours per week with training and progression opportunities to Band 5/6, subject to competency.

You will train in lung function tests, sleep and ventilation studies, and work within a team providing high quality patient care.

Qualifications

• BSc Human Physiology or Sports Science or equivalent
• Minimum of 2 years healthcare experience providing hands on care to patients
• Knowledge of respiratory and sleep physiology tests
• Experience of specialist respiratory and sleep physiology diagnostics
• Knowledge of statistics and statistical packages

Responsibilities

• Train to become proficient in performing physiological tests
• Perform quality control procedures within the department
• Help maintain departmental equipment with senior staff
• Sterilise and disinfect all departmental equipment
• Perform administrative duties such as sending patient letters and arranging tests
• Ensure patient data is stored in accordance with Trust policy
• Comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Excellent communication

Ability to work under pressure

IT skills

Education

BSc in Human Physiology or Sports Science

Job description

Trainee Clinical Respiratory Physiologist

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Respiratory Physiology Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent: Cross-site Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 418-RESP88372-EH

Site Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust Town Luton Salary £28,392 - £31,157 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 08/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

Trainee Clinical Respiratory Physiologist (Band 4)

The post of Trainee Clinical Respiratory Physiologist is an exciting opportunity for an individual whose ambition is to become a Clinical Respiratory Physiologist. Our Respiratory Physiology Department undertake a wide variety of tests including routine and complex lung function, sleep and ventilation. You will be provided high quality in-house and external training with the opportunity for progression to Band 5 and Band 6 Respiratory Physiologist grades, upon successfully completion of, and gaining competency in, incremental training goals.

You will be self motivated and have excellent interpersonal skills. You will have the ability to work under pressure and at times autonomously, as well as be able to work effectively within a team..

The post requires cross-site working (Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Bedford Hospital). You must have a BSc degree Human Physiology or Sports Science or equivalent and ideally relevant NHS healthcare experience.

This post offers a permanent 37.5 hours per week contract. Informal enquiries are welcome to Rachel Geary, Senior Chief Respiratory Physiologist on 01582 718440.

The Trust reserves the right to close vacancies early after receipt of sufficient applications.

If you have not received correspondence inviting you for interview within 14 days of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Main duties of the job

Main Tasks & Responsibilities:

1. To train to become proficient in performing the physiological tests listed below.

2. To perform all relevant quality control procedures within the department.

3. To help maintain departmental equipment in conjunction with more senior staff and the Clinical Engineering Department.

4. Sterilise and disinfect all departmental equipment as and when necessary using correct guidelines set out by the trust.

5. Perform administrative duties such as sending out patient letters, telephoning patients regarding their tests and answering patients via telephone.

6. Ensure all patient data is stored in a suitable manner in accordance with Trust policy.

7. To take personal responsibility for compliance with all Trust and Departmental policies and procedures.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Physiological Tests

To administer medication in accordance with Trust Policy as part of lung function investigation

To train to become proficient in performing the diagnostics listed gaining accurate and clinically valuable measurements.

Body plethysmography

Reversibility testing

Gas transfer

Field exercise tests

Maximal voluntary ventilation tests

Sleep studies measuring varying parameters

CPAP set-up and titration studies

Respiratory muscle studies

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurement.

Any other tests as deemed necessary by the Senior Chief Clinical Respiratory Physiologist

To communicate effectively with department colleagues and other members of the trust in all aspects of patient care and respiratory physiology.

The post holder must comply with the RCCP/ Code of Professional Conduct and all Trust policies guidelines and procedures.

Person specification

Qualifications

• BSc Human Physiology or Sports Science or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 2 years healthcare experience providing hands on care to patients
• Knowledge of respiratory and sleep physiology tests
• Experience of specialist respiratory and sleep physiology diagnostics
• Knowledge of statistics and statistical packages

Skills

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Able to concentrate for long periods of time, often analysing complex data
• Advanced IT skills

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Rachel Geary Job title Senior Chief Clinical Respiratory Physiologist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01582 718440