Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner/ Clinical Scientist

Job Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner / Specialist Cardiac Physiologist / Clinical Scientist to work as part of our friendly team providing a Cardiology and Respiratory diagnostics service. The principal hospitals within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are The University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Shotley Bridge Hospital. The Cardiology & Respiratory Investigations Units comprise a team of approximately 40 staff who provide a broad range of invasive and non-invasive procedures including echocardiography, stress echocardiography, trans-oesophageal echocardiography, diagnostic angiography, pacing implant / follow-up, complex device follow up, tilt testing and nerve conduction studies. The hospital base for this post is Darlington Memorial Hospital. We are actively developing services and encourage personal development / extension of roles. We are committed to providing learning and development opportunities. We actively encourage and support all appropriate professional development.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work as part of a team in the busy Cardio-Respiratory departments. They will be a specialist in cardiac rhythm management/Devices and Invasive Cardiac Procedures, but will also perform a range of other physiological tests available within the department. They will produce evidence based clinical reports. They will provide training to other healthcare professionals and students and will supervise junior staff as well as deputise for more senior staff on occasions. They will work closely with colleagues to ensure that protocols and procedures meet local and national requirements for good practice and service delivery.

Job Description

Job responsibilities

The candidate will be a specialist in Invasive Cardiac Diagnostics, Cardiac rhythm and Cardiac Device Management, and will derive clinical reports. They must have experience of working in a Cardiac Investigations department at band 5 or 6 level and have achieved the minimum academic qualifications in the Person Specification. They must be registered on the AHCS / HCPC register. For applicants not on one of these registers, Annex 21 will apply until the advanced professional qualification (BHRS/IBHRE Allied Professionals Certified Cardiac Device Specialist Exam) is obtained. They must hold a current certificate in Immediate Life Support, or be willing to undertake this within 6 months of employment.

Person Specification

Special Requirements Essential

• Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.

• BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science: Cardiac Physiology or MSc Clinical Science (Cardiac Science) or equivalent, with acceptance onto AHCS / RCCP / HCPC professional register.
• For staff who are not yet eligible to register, Annex 21 will apply.
• Have or working towards BHRS Certification/HRUK Certification/ IBHRE Allied Professionals Certified Cardiac Device Specialist Exam.
• Immediate Life Support certificate, or be willing to undertake this within 6 months of employment.

• Teaching / mentoring qualification.

• Organizational skills
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Good communication skills written and verbal.
• Ability to perform a range of cardiology and/or respiratory diagnostic procedures.
• Underpinning knowledge of physiology applied to the cardiovascular system.
• Knowledge of pathologies relevant to Cardio-Respiratory medicine.
• Knowledge of medication which may be administered within Cardio-Respiratory Physiology and ability to administer as appropriate.
• Ability to analyse complex information, interpret results and provide accurate reports to Medical staff and other Healthcare professionals within Primary and Secondary care. Provide advice to clinicians.
• Ability to assess patient condition and seek expert assistance when required.
• Able to provide day to day supervision of section / group of staff.
• Computer literacy
• Undertaking audit and participation in research programmes.

• Presentation skills
• Supervisory experience
• Ability to train other staff of all levels and act as a mentor.
• Ability to use evidence based practice to ensure quality standards.

• Experience in the field of Cardiac Rhythm Management/Devices and Invasive Cardiology.
• Experience at Band 5 or Band 6 level, or equivalent.
• Experience of working within a Cardiac investigations Unit.
• Experience of a broad range of diagnostic procedures within Cardiology.
• Experience of audit and quality assurance programmes.
• Experience of training staff from a range of disciplines.

• Able to work in a range of clinical environments.

• Registered with AHCS or HCPC.

Employer details

Employer name: County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX
Employer's website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/