Respiratory physiologist

Job summary

The integrated care pathway for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) provides a spirometry service across the community and within the chest clinic at the hospital.

The lung function department is part of the chest clinic and is an integral part of supporting diagnosis through a variety of lung function tests.

The post holder will be responsible for carrying out routine lung function investigations to a high standard and in a professional manner whilst working within departmental guidelines, both at Lewisham Hospital and also in the community setting. They will be required to lead on spirometry training, offering support and guidance to practitioners across a variety of healthcare settings and taking an active role in the continuing professional development of their colleagues.

They will be a clinically credible practitioner who can provide effective patient care in a range of clinical settings, having regard for relevant policies. They will be required to work independently at times, and will be responsible for ensuring that they deliver a safe and effective diagnostic service. They will be expected to prioritise patient referrals.

They will be required to help to develop the service, identifying cost and quality improvements, where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

To be able to perform a wide range of standard and complex tests and procedures including capillary blood gas monitoring and spirometry

Participate in evaluation audit and research and incorporate appropriate findings into practice

Actively work to promote health and prevent ill health in staff patients and their relatives

Promote and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for patients visitors and colleagues

To work independently under indirect supervision of the senior lung function technician across a variety of settings in the community Offering education and performing spirometry

Ensuring that diagnostics are undertaken safely and in a timely manner reporting and documenting results appropriately and in line with legislation policies and procedures

To help maintain lung function equipment ensuring servicing and routine maintenance

To work with the senior lung function technician in ordering consumables for the department

About us

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is a community focused provider of local and acute care, providing high quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.

With a turnover of around £700 million, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham and a range of community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup.

The Trust has 7,500 staff and we have recently invested in our workforce to grow our establishment across a number of key services. In 2020 we won a London NHS Parliamentary Award in recognition of a wide range of initiatives to make the organisation a great place to work. We are accredited as a flexible working employer offering a number of flexible working options for staff. We are also accredited as a London Living Wage employer for our substantive, bank and contractors

Job responsibilities

To ensure that health and safety and infection control measures are adhered to at all times

To ensure that all equipment faults are reported to the senior lung function technician and in their absence to EBME

To advise and demonstrate safe manual handling techniques

Demonstrate to patients how to use the equipment that they will be using in their own homes EG Nebulizers

To help manage the administration and organisation of the lung function department

To maintain accurate computer and written records that fulfils the legal requirements and can be used for audit

To complete appropriate reports regarding community activity as required To ensure any written reports are filed promptly in the appropriate place

To manage written verbal referrals to the service ensuring they are entered onto the computer system and filed as appropriate

To support the management of the appointments system Ensuring pre designed letters are sent to patients in a timely manner

To speak with patients on the telephone addressing any questions or enquiries

To use ICare and RIO to check patients details and input relevant information allowing for audit around the lung function service

To undertake general administrative tasks within the lung function department service particularly relating to record keeping filing supplies errands and message taking

To undertake photocopying tasks EG Patient information leaflets

To comply with all policies and procedures particularly the Lone Working policy the Health and safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act To report on complaints accidents and clinical incidents to the immediate senior as soon as possible

To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures in locations where spirometry sessions are to be held

To be familiar with all emergency and precautionary procedures both on and off site and to respond as necessary EG Emergency resuscitation infection control etc

To identify and report a clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinical area

Demonstrate an innovative and patient centred approach to treatment and care

To work with patients and their families who are living and managing with complex chronic conditions

To own a car and be driver

To be familiar with emergency and precautionary procedures both within the hospital and in locations where spirometry services are held

To undertake any other duties as requested by the senior lung function technician and the lead respiratory nurse

To participate in the individual performance review KSF and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development

Person specification

Knowledge

Essential

• Computer skills including word and excel.
• Ability to analyse complex data and report to senior members of staff.
• Able to undertake complex tests.
• Ability to communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently using own initiative.
• Ability to manage own caseload with access to qualified staff.
• Ability to write results of interventions clearly and concisely.
• Ability to anticipate and forward plan.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Fit for active physical workload and resilient under reasonable pressure of work.
• Ability to gain co-operation and motivate others.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Full clean driving licence valid for UK and access to a car.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in the NHS.
• Experience of working with patients who are living with COPD.
• Experience of performing spirometry, FeNo and reversibility testing using MDI's

Desirable

• Experience of working within a lung function/spirometry service.
• Experience of working within varied clinical settings including the community.
• Issuing overnight sleep studies and capillary blood gases.

Qualifications

Essential

• 'BSc in Respiratory and sleep physiology or equivalent