Job Description
Chief Cardiac Physiologist
Band 7-37.5 hours per week
We are seeking applicants who are currently looking for the next step in their careers who are highly motivated, willing to develop their skills and want to join our dynamic and caring team.
As a local specialist provider we implant a range of complex implantable devices and through our two dedicated EP labs we perform over 700 procedures per year including complex AF and VT ablation using the Carto, Precision and Rhythmia mapping systems.
Candidates will have BHRS or IBHRE accreditation and a minimum of three years post BSc (or equivalent) qualification experience.
The successful candidate will work on a rotational basis between the devices clinic and the catheter suite. You will manage your own daily caseload and assist in the development of all areas of the cardiac rhythm management service.
Applicants are required to have good organisational skills and excellent interpersonal skills and will be required to work as part of a team in this busy department. In return we are able to offer access to training and development opportunities and a wide variety of procedures.
We are really committed to the development of our colleagues and have a great career pathway in place with linked bandings. This means as you learn and develop with us, you can move through band 5, band 6 and band 7.
To provide a highly specialist, clinical technical service in the Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) sections of the department and be a lead specialist in these areas supporting the catheter lab and devices clinic.
To assist in the development of all areas of the Cardiac Rhythm Management Service.
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the area in which they are working.
Provide specialist training of Cardiac Physiology staff under the direction of the Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist
Deputise for the Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist in their absence.
The department runs a 24/7 primary PCI service so participation on the on call rota is a key requirement of this role.
Participate in 7 days working including weekends, evenings and Bank Holidays
Supervise less experienced staff in own area of work, so maintaining the service.
Adhere to departmental policies and procedures, ensuring a quality service is maintained to patients, general practitioners, and clinicians across the three sites.
Ensure effective/timely two-way communication takes place between all sections of the department, maintaining close liaison between all three sites of the department and wider multi-disciplinary teams.
We are one of the biggest and busiest NHS trusts in the country, incorporating the General, Glenfield and Royal Infirmary hospitals. We have our very own Children’s Hospital and run one of the country’s leading heart centres.
Our team is made up of more than 17,000 staff providing a range of services primarily for the one million residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We work with partners at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.
Our purpose is to provide ‘Caring at its best’ and our staff have helped us create a set of values that embody who we are and what we’re here to do. They are:
- We focus on what matters most
- We treat others how we would like to be treated
- We are passionate and creative in our work
- We do what we say we are going to do
- We are one team and we are best when we work together
Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that ‘Caring at its best’ is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.
1. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the CRM section, providing timely and appropriate service.
2. Effectively organise the day-to-day workload and staffing allocation according to the complexity / urgency of the test, ensuring effective staff skill mix.
3. Organise staff duty rota, including off-duty, ensuring its availability at least six weeks in advance in line with the Trust’s Electronic Rostering policy.
4. Responsible daily, for the calibration and correct working of all Cardiac Investigations equipment used in the electrophysiology, pacing and cardiac catheterisation laboratories.
5. Undertake highly specialised technical procedures, which may be repetitive in nature, but require a high degree of precision, concentration over long periods, sensory coordination and instantaneous decision-making.
6. Analyse and interpret real time results (which may be complex and either urgent or routine in nature) and communicate these to the operator in order that the appropriate immediate actions can be taken.
7. The actions (point 6) for which the post-holder is responsible may include:
- Defibrillation
- Resuscitation
- Temporary pacing
- Assisting with the insertion of an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Emergency transfer to theatre
1. Interpret and analyse EPS, RFA and mapping system signals, advising clinicians on signal timing and geometry collection, and the best position for ablation, culminating in the production of a clinical report.
2. As instructed by the operator, perform intra-cardiac pacing and ablation.
3. Provide technical support at implant for the full range of implantable devices, including single, dual and bi-vent pacemakers and ICDs, and implantable loop recorder (ILR), by:
- Selecting the most appropriate device for implant, according to the patients’ symptoms and disease aetiology
- Assessing the position of the pacing lead(s) by performing electrical measurements and advise clinicians on the acceptability of the results
- In defibrillator implantation, can carry out defibrillation safety margin (DSM) testing by initiating ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the patient either via the programmer or the implanted device, when necessary, where this is indicated, although not routinely performed.
- Terminate VF in the event of an emergency either via the implanted device or by external means.
1. Provide a follow-up and troubleshooting service for a wide range of highly complex implantable devices, including making programming decisions and changes, for the benefit of the patient, without consultation with a clinician.
2. Ensure all home monitoring databases are reviewed each day to ensure that all alerts are dealt with in a timely manner
3. Assist with the non-physician ILR implanting service providing support for the implanter and training to becoming an implanter if required.
4. Process results of tests and make sure they are available to the operator via the correct route (orally/written or electronically) and within departmental time standards.
5. Responsible for directly inputting data from EP onto DCS Intellect and ensuring completion of the relevant database for pacemaker and ICD procedures.
6. Responsible for undertaking external and internal cardioversions for the Atrial Fibrillation Management Service.
7. Independently responsible for undertaking day-case DSM tests and taking appropriate action if problems arise e.g., persistent VF.
8. Responsible for reporting and follow up of faulty devices or consumables to manufacturers and appropriate authorities. Ensure all equipment used is safe to use, kept clean and fully stocked.
9. Support adult and paediatric interventional procedures, RADI wire, intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS), TAVI, LAA closure and PCI.
10. Maintain a high level of professionalism when distressing, upsetting, or very stressful situations arise, and on the occasions that working conditions are unpleasant e.g., during a cardiac arrest, during VF induction or when there is contact with bodily fluids, ensuring that the patient’s welfare is uppermost.
11. Respond to additional, unplanned or emergency situations appropriately, which includes rapid responses and accurate actions.
12. Effectively communicate with all patients in a reassuring and helpful manner, in order to obtain information necessary prior to performing the test and to put the patient at ease and gain their co-operation during the test.
13. Effectively liaise with general practitioners and other health care professionals regarding individual patient care and status of the implanted device. This is often complex, detailed information that needs to be imparted to the practitioner in a manner that they will understand.
14. Recognise the sensitivity of the information received and ensure that patient confidentiality is always maintained.
15. On occasion deal with confused and aggressive patients, relatives and carers with tact and diplomacy.
16. Where necessary, move sensitive, expensive equipment from one lab to another and be involved in general patient preparation.
17. Assist in the provision of technical protocols for procedures and equipment.
18. Responsible for clinical supervision of less experienced and/or lower grade staff daily.
19. Responsible for keeping own skills up to date, including attendance / presentation at regional and national conferences.
20. Undertake appraisals of junior staff, identifying their training needs within the specialist area to the appropriate Senior Chief, in order to give directional support and motivation.
21. Provide specialist training and related assessments of cardiac physiologists as directed by the senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist.
22. Adhere to departmental policies/procedures and provide guidance / assistance to junior staff.
23. Regularly review/audit technical and quality standards and ensure that these standards are met.
24. Participate in regular section meetings, exchanging information and ideas with the multi-professional team, in order to develop improvements to the service and implement any agreed changes
25. Responsible for daily maintenance, preventative maintenance and arranging service of expensive and complex equipment used, including contacting of appropriate companies and arranging for repair or service of equipment.
26. Day-to-day troubleshooting of common faults/problems with systems, transducers, oximeters etc.
27. Participate in technical appraisals of new equipment.
28. Responsible for monitoring and auditing appropriate stock levels of devices and for the regular monitoring of device inventories.
29. Responsible for ensuring adequate stock levels of consumables and equipment are always held in the section.
30. Be involved in and assist with clinical trials and audit as identified by the Senior Chief Cardiac Physiologist.
31. Undertakes and adheres to departmental policies for: -
- Risk Management
- Health & Safety
- Confidentiality
- Data protection
- Fire
- Infection control
- Child protection
- Equipment malfunction
- Identification of patients
- Uniform
1. Any other duties that may be assigned by the Senior Chief Cardiac
Physiologist.
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