Specialised Clinical Physiologist/ScientistNHS

Job summary

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Specialised Clinical Physiologist to join our friendly and supportive Neurophysiology Department.

We are a forward-thinking team committed to delivering high-quality neurodiagnostic services and continuously improving patient care. We welcome innovative individuals keen to contribute to service development and embrace new ways of working. The service operates across New Cross Hospital, Cannock Chase Hospital, and Shawbirch Medical Practice (Telford), and the ability to travel between sites is desirable.

Applications are welcomed from experienced Band 6 Physiologists and ambitious Band 5 Physiologists seeking career progression within a supportive department.Supported by four Neurophysiology Consultants, you will gain experience within a busy and varied service. We actively encourage participation inaudit, research, service improvement and CPD.

The successful applicant will undertake a range of inpatient and outpatient investigations, including:

o Clinical Physiologist-led nerve conduction studies and reportingo Routine EEGo Ambulatory video EEGo Evoked potentials (EPs)o Assisting with EMG clinics

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time or flexible working arrangements.

For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit, please contact Sam Way, Lead Clinical Scientist, on 01902 307999 ext. 85052/85059.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will undertake a broad range of clinical neurophysiological investigations, working autonomously to support patient diagnosis and care. Responsibilities include performing routine, sleep and sedation, and ambulatory EEG recordings, median and ulnar nerve conduction studies and selected specialist procedures such as routine evoked potentials, . The role requires independent analysis and interpretation of findings within professional scope, with the production of clear and accurate factual reports, including reporting on normal routine, sleep and sedation EEG studies. The postholder will also contribute to the supervision and training of trainee staff and other professional groups, while supporting clinical audit, research, service evaluation, and continuous service development initiatives.

Job description

General duties

o To observe and uphold local fire, Health and safety, Control of Infection, First aid, Risk Assessment, Manual Handling Assessment, Display Screen Equipment, Safeguarding and COSHH regulations with regard to patients, carers and colleagues in line with Trust and Divisional Clinical Governance procedures.

o Be aware of own schedule for any given day, ensure the smooth running of the department and have the ability to adapt when the need arises.

o As the Neurophysiology Department is a small department there may be occasions when the post holder may need to undertake reception and clerical duties, equipment maintenance or other tasks to ensure the smooth running of the department.

o To oversee daily preparation and maintenance of recording rooms, trolleys and cupboards.

o Complete appropriate arrangements for patient transport.

o Deal with suggestions and comments as per Trust Policy.

o To have the ability to use all types of departmental and hospital patient databases.

o Liaise and communicate with other medical professionals from both within the trust and from outside organisations.

o To maintain the confidentiality of patient data and information at all times.

o To be responsible for the comfort and safety of patients, carers, visitors and other members of staff during their visit to the department.

o Ensure that communication with the patient and their family is maintained at all times during their visit to the department.

o To perform file maintenance, editing and archiving of EEG data.

o To maintain the security of the department at all times and to isolate electrical equipment at night.

o Keep up to date with all mandatory training.

o Be willing to continue with professional development and attend appropriate meetings and courses as required.

Technical duties

o To perform routine EEG recordings on adults and children as outpatients and inpatients whilst awake, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To perform EEG recordings on adults as outpatients during natural sleep or in sleep following sleep deprivation, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To perform EEG recordings on children as outpatients, during natural sleep or in drug induced sleep and in sleep following sleep deprivation, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o Explain and obtain informed consent for activation procedures

o Use video equipment during the EEG recordings having obtained written consent from patients/guardians.

o Advise patients before leaving the department of the necessary precautions to take if found to be photosensitive during the EEG recording to reduce the risk of further epileptic attacks.

o Advise patients before leaving the department of the necessary precautions to be taken following sleep deprivation to reduce the risk of further epileptic attacks.

o To transport portable equipment from the department to perform portable EEG recordings on bed-bound in-patients on various wards, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To transport portable equipment from the department to perform portable EEG recordings on bed-bound in-patients on the Integrated Critical Care Unit, Acute Medical Unit, Neonatal Unit and Accident and Emergency, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To work within departmental policies and procedures but have the ability to adjust working practices to perform accurate and reliable investigations under pressure and at speed should an emergency arise.

o To utilize digital EEG software to produce a detailed factual report on EEG recordings for viewing by the Consultant neurophysiologist

o When performing tests have the ability to adjust settings and parameters of equipment to reflect recording conditions.

o Allocation of appointments in appropriate clinics and time slots.

Technical Duties

o To transport portable equipment from the department to perform portable EEG recordings on bed-bound in-patients on the childrens wards during drug induced sleep, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To perform visual, auditory upper and lower limb somatosensory evoked responses largely on adult outpatients for detailed neurophysiological assessment of nerve pathways.

o To assist medical staff in performing EMGs and nerve conduction studies on both outpatients and inpatients. On occasions this will require the need to transport equipment from the department to various wards including ICCU to allow bedside recordings to be made.

o To perform upper limb surface nerve conduction studies on outpatients, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To perform Ambulatory EEG recordings on outpatients, adapting the technique where necessary to accommodate the clinical state (such as psychological, emotional and aggressive) and degree of co-operation of the patient (such as learning disabilities and challenging behaviours).

o To co-ordinate with the Paediatric nurse/play specialists for their attendance in appropriate childrens clinics.

o To co-ordinate arrangements for sedation for procedures both in the department and on the ward if this is required.

o Obtain additional relevant medical history including results of other investigations from the appropriate source.

o To supervise trainee clinical physiologist in the practical aspects of Neurophysiology to the required standards set out in the ANS training log books.

o Have an understanding of and take part in clinical audit

o Produces a verbal and full written report on normal EEG recordings.

About us

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the West Midlands providing primary, acute and community services and we are incredibly proud of the diversity of both our staff and the communities we serve. We are building a workforce that can help us to fulfil our values, improve the quality of care for patients, and solve the health care problems of tomorrow. We're passionate about the value that diversity of thinking and lived experience brings in enabling us to become a learning organisation and leader in delivering compassionate care for our patients.

We are delighted that we have been rated as "Good" by CQC. We have achieved numerous awards; The Nursing Times Best Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Best UK Employer of the Year for Nursing Staff in 2020.

The Trust is a supportive working environment committed to creating flexible working arrangements that suit your needs and as such will consider all requests from applicants who wish to work flexibly.