South West London Acute Provider Collaborative

Maps

Candidate BriefChief Cardiac PhysiologistJanuary

South West London Acute Provider Collaborative

Maps

A message from our Chief Executive, Daniel Elkeles

Thank you for showing an interest in working with us. I am truly proud to be the Chief Executive of Epsom and St Helier – we run high performing hospitals with a strong track record in providing high quality care, delivering operational standards and meeting our financial targets. In addition to that, we are proud to host joint ventures with our partners in mental health, social care, community health and GPs in Surrey Downs and Sutton, providing adult community, children’s therapy and sexual health services as part of Sutton Health and Care, and adult community services as part of Surrey Downs Health and Care. We are committed to providing seamless joined up care for the 500,000 people we serve as their local hospitals and community services. We also have the privilege of running the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre at Epsom Hospital and a GP practice in Leatherhead.

Our future looks very bright and there has never been a better time to join our team. In September 2019, the Government announced a £500 million investment into our Trust to develop a new major specialist emergency care hospital. This investment will allow us to create a state-of-the-art hospital facility for our sickest patients. We are planning for this to open in 2025. This money also provides us with the funds to finish the refurbishment of our hospital buildings on both the Epsom and St Helier sites, and support our workforce to provide great care to our patients, every day.

We have been rated Good by the CQC and welcome applications from individuals committed to being part of the team to maintain and build on this.

We know that all of our achievements are only possible because of the commitment, team work and expertise of our staff – and we truly value the dedication our teams show. As a result, we want Epsom and St Helier to be an outstanding place to work where staff are treated with, and treat others with, respect at all times.

There is simply no place for bullying, racism, discrimination or other poor behaviours in our hospitals and we work together to ensure that respect is at the heart of every interaction we have with one another and our patients.

By choosing to work here, we all also choose to be role models of respect. We can make this commitment thanks to a recent comprehensive review of the culture of our organisation (including more than 3,000 pieces of feedback from our staff and patients and thousands of us going through bespoke training and workshops), which showed us that ‘above all we value respect’ and gave us the tools to make sure we can live by this powerful value.

So if you want to be part of creating a truly integrated health and care service, where hospital staff, community health staff, mental health teams, primary care staff and social care teams

South West London Acute Provider Collaborative

Maps

work closely together; help us to develop a brand new specialist emergency care hospital; and do it in an increasingly respectful environment, then we are the place to come and develop your career.

I hope you do decide to join the wonderful team at Epsom and St Helier, and in the meantime, I would be happy to receive feedback or questions – you can email me at daniel.elkeles@nhs.net or follow me on Twitter @daniel_elkeles.

Best wishes

Daniel

Our ambition is to provide an outstanding level of care to our patients and communities.

Above all we value respect. This means everyone at the Trust – whether a member of staff, a patient or their loved ones – can

South West London Acute Provider Collaborative

Maps

expect to be treated with respect, whatever their role or background. This ensures kind, positive, professional teamwork, delivering great care to every patient, every day.

By choosing to work here, you also choose to value and role model respect. This means having respect for the Trust and your roles and responsibilities, as well as colleagues, patients and anyone who interacts with the Trust.

We offer an extensive range of services, including cancer, pathology, surgery, and gynaecology to 500,000 people in south west London and north east Surrey. We operate two busy general hospitals, Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital, and run services from other locations, including Sutton Hospital.

St Helier Hospital is home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, while Epsom Hospital is home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC). Both Epsom and St Helier hospitals have Accident and Emergency departments (A&E) and Maternity services (Obstetrics).

We also play an active role in the local healthcare economy, and are the lead provider in two innovative health and care partnerships.

In Surrey Downs (that’s the Epsom, East Elmbridge and Dorking areas), we have partnered with CSH Surrey, the three GP federations in the Surrey Downs area, and Surrey County Council (who are an associate member), to provide adult community health services. This innovative partnership is called Surrey Downs Health and Care.

In Sutton, we have joined forces with the London Borough of Sutton, Sutton GP Services and South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust to provide adult and children’s community health services and sexual health services to local people. Together, we are called Sutton Health and Care – you can visit our website www.suttonhealthandcare.nhs.uk.

Job Title: Chief Cardiac Physiologist

Grade: Science and Technical AfC Band 7

Hours: 37.5 hrs/week

Responsible to: Cardiology Technical Manager

Clinically responsible to: Consultant Cardiologists

Job summary:To provide specialist Cardiology technical investigations and to work in a

minimum of one area as an independent practitioner.

The successful candidate will take on responsibility for the investigation,

reporting, diagnoses and where appropriate alteration to therapy and patient care

needs within their area.

Working practice should be in accordance with occupational guidelines set out

for each investigation, but you will have sufficient expertise to adapt practice to

meet the requirements of the service area.

The successful candidate will need to work in all areas of non-invasive diagnostic

cardiology investigations across Epsom and St. Helier Hospitals

Duties and responsibilitiesTechnical

1. To be an independent Practitioner at a specialist technical level in the

performance of simple and complex Cardiology investigations, diagnosis

and treatment where applicable.

2. To be able to demonstrate ability as a specialist Physiologist in at least

one of the following disciplines:

A. Simple, complex and multi-chamber pacemaker implants and follow-ups and Implantable defibrillator follow-ups/implants

To be competent in performing the following to a high standard in accordance

with HRUK/IBHRE and Department standards:

Single and dual chamber pacemaker implant including hardware selection

Single and dual chamber pacemaker follow-up including trouble shooting,

program optimization and clinical recommendations to medical staff

Multi-chamber pacemaker implants and follow-ups

Multi-chamber implantable defibrillator follow-ups

Maintain CCAD database.

Responsible for, in association with the lead physiologist in the

maintenance of pacing hardware and accessory stock levels.

Work with Arrhythmia and Heart Failure Specialist Nurses to provide

specialist counseling and follow-up of complex arrhythmia and heart

failure patients with implanted devices.

Maintain up to date knowledge of specialist technical developments and

be aware of their clinical implications.

EchocardiographyTransthoracic echocardiography (TTE)

Perform transthoracic echocardiograms to a high standard in accordance

to British Society of Echocardiography and Departmental minimum

standards

Identify and advise when transthoracic echocardiography is insufficient for

a clinical diagnosis and proactively suggest and arrange

alternative/additional investigations

Produce an accurate and comprehensive report for each study

maintain up to date knowledge of the specialty technical developments

and be aware of the future clinical implications

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE)

assist with TOE including interpretation, record keeping and patient care

Stress echocardiography

perform stress echocardiograms and assist with all aspects of the

procedure including record keeping and patient safety.

Contrast echocardiography

perform contrast echocardiograms and assist with all aspects of the

procedure including record keeping and patient safety.

Assist with image archiving of echo images and back-up of data

Routine maintenance of echo equipment

Non-invasive Cardiology Perform and interpret ECGs’, 24hr holter tapes and 24hr Non-invasive

ambulatory BP monitoring

Perform and report on exercise tolerance tests in accordance to British

Cardiac Society guidelines and Departmental standards

Prescribe appropriate exercise protocols on evidence basis and patient

suitability

Discuss with a multi-disciplinary team on suitability and safety of exercise

tolerance test for patients as required

To report on direct access ECGs’

Respiratory function investigationsTo be competent in performing the following without supervision

Perform and report on respiratory function investigation

To be able to carry out basic maintenance and calibration of the

equipment including troubleshooting

Operational1. To be responsible for the day to day running of the area in which they are

working, ensuring that all equipment are operational, equipment and non-

disposable items are cleaned and stock levels are sufficiently maintained.

2. To be competent in the use of different software based applications in

data entry, the reporting of investigations and monitoring patient activity.

3. To participate and develop the in-service training and technical

competency of junior staff/trainees within the department.

4. To participate in the training of other disciplines as and when required.

5. To participate in the delivery of KSF appraisal process

6. To keep abreast of new developments in products and techniques within

interventional and diagnostic Cardiology.

7. To become involved in the support of research projects where appropriate

8. To identify adverse incidents and be aware and participate in the reporting

of these incidents as per Trust’s Incident Reporting Procedures.

9. To liaise with staff of other disciplines, ensuring effective communication.

Resource1. To participate in the recruitment and retention of staff as per Trust’s

procedural guidelines.

2. To develop competency in clinical supervision and participate/carry out

competency assessments on Trainees and Junior medical staff.

3. To participate in the training and supervision of trainees and Junior

Medical staff

4. To initiate and participate in clinical audit and act on it to improve quality of

service

5. To understand basic budgetary principles and use of resources in a cost

effective manner under the direction of the Technical Manager.

6. To ensure an effective stock control where required and that staff are

aware of the economical use of supplies and the trials of new product.

7. To liase with the Cardiology Technical Manager in ensuring the

purchasing and negotiations of supplies are within Trust’s policy.

8. To maintain Departmental statistical records.

Clinical GovernanceThe post holder will need to be aware the following are in place and to work

towards best practice.

1. Up to date Protocols and procedure

2. Up to date Patient information

3. Effective Clinical audit

4. Clinical risk

5. Health and Safety

6. Infection control

General responsibilities

1. To have responsibilities for the Health, Safety and Welfare of self and others

and to comply at all times with the Health and Safety Regulations.

2. To ensure patient and health record confidentiality at all times and to comply

with the Data Protection Act requirements.

3. To comply with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities policy and to promote equality

of opportunity at all times.

4. To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time as are

consistent with the responsibilities of this position and grade

5. This job description is a reflection of the current position and may change in

emphasis or detail in the light of subsequent service or organizational

developments.

This job description is intended to give a general indication of the range of work

undertaken and will vary with the changing demands and priorities within the

Department.

Chief Cardiac Physiologist (AfC Band 7) - Person Specification

Essential Method of Assessment

Qualifications The successful candidate must have a BTEC

Higher National Certificate in Medical Physics

and Physiological Measurement or BSc Clinical

Physiology and extensive experience of

technical cardiology.

Membership of a relevant professional

organization obtained by examination eg BSE,

NASPE/IBHRE.

Registration with RCCP and Immediate life

Support certification would be essential.

Application and

interview

Experience The candidate must be experienced in all

aspects of technical Cardiology, including

practice with a wide array of technical

equipment.

Experience in applying theoretical knowledge

into patient care.

Extensive practical experience in technical

cardiology, with experience at a senior level of

independent practice including investigation,

interpretation, reporting, altering therapy and

recommending alternative investigations.

Specialist knowledge of Pacemaker implantation

and follow-up and ICD follow-up with evidence

of maintenance and development of skills to the

level required for professional registration.

To be able to identify when emergency medical

Application, test and

interview

intervention is required and take appropriate

action

Able to use specialised IT software for

Cardiology Investigations and maintain

appropriate Departmental and National

database.

Responsible for data entry for reporting,

monitoring activity and accurate record keeping.

Familiar with patient administration system such

as iPM and able to use Word, Excel to set up

documents and spreadsheet.

Knowledge and

skills

Advanced knowledge of one discipline of

technical Cardiology.

Specialist knowledge of medical devices,

investigation, diagnosis and therapy in either

pacing, echocardiography or non-invasive or

invasive Cardiology investigations.

To be able to identify when emergency medical

intervention is required and take appropriate

action

Specialist competency in a minimum of one

discipline with evidence of maintenance and

development of skills to the level required for

professional registration.

Able to use specialised IT software for

Cardiology Investigations and maintain

appropriate Departmental and National

database.

Responsible for data entry for reporting,

monitoring activity and accurate record keeping.

Familiar with patient administration system such

Application and

interview

as iPM and able to use Word, Excel to set up

documents and spreadsheet.

Personal

attributes

Able to communicate highly complex technical

information to a multi-disciplinary team.

Able to plan and deliver an effective training

program to trainees and other professional

groups on complex investigations.

Effective written and verbal communication

skills. Able to manage a small team of staff.

Able to prioritise and manage own work

Able to exercise initiative when dealing with

situations.

Able to concentrate during complex Cardiology

investigations and reporting e.g performing and

reporting on echocardiograms and complex

Pacing/ICD checks.

Able to sustain periods of intense concentration

Able to cope with a high pressure and

distressing environment in the clinical area e.g.

liasing with other clinical staff patients and

relatives with life threatening conditions, cope

with patient fatality during investigation and

treatment

Application and

interview

Other relevant requirements

Use of fine tools with a high degree of manual

dexterity, coordination and sensory skill when

performing investigations on patients e.g.

cardiac ultrasound, respiratory function and

pacing checks.

Understanding of relevant legislation, national

standards, professional and local guidelines eg

Health and Safety, BCS guidelines, Clinical

Application and

interview

Governance, etc. Work to an agreed

occupational policy, assist in the development of

standards using evidence base.

Occasional requirement to move heavy

equipment.

The use safe manual handling technique is

required to move and position patients for

investigations

Frequent contact with emotionally challenging

conditions with critically ill patients and able to

deal patient fatality during investigation.

Understanding of hazards posed by: blood

products and body fluids, needle stick and

sharps related injuries, infective patients and

cross contamination

Hazardous agents used within Technical

Cardiology such as cleaning agents for

transoesophageal probe.

Contact with aggressive patients and relatives.