Healthcare Science Assistant - Cardio- Respiratory Crewe, England
Job description
To support in the provision of high quality non-invasive diagnostic Cardiac and Respiratory investigations within the busy Cardio-Respiratory Department at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will work as part of a dedicated team, employing a range of routine and non-routine diagnostic investigations within a variety of clinical settings. They will be expected to perform good quality 12 lead EGG measurements to SCST standards and quality assured spirometry with and without reversibility to ARTP standards whilst following local protocol and standard operating procedures. They should have some knowledge of ECG interpretation and be proficient in ambulatory ECG and blood pressure hook up, downloading results and creating reports when required.
They will be expected to be able to provide information to patients on access and purpose of the service putting the patient at the heart of everything we do.
If full training is required, the successful candidate will be employed into a trainee band 2 role with a view to uplift to a band 3 once all competencies are met.
The department operates on a whole week working basis. Hours will be flexible between 08:00 - 20:00 hrs. Part time applicants are welcome to apply but will be expected to participate in evening and weekend duties.
Clinical responsibilities will include the provision of high-quality electrocardiography, ambulatory ECG and blood pressure hook up as well as obtaining and reporting high quality spirometry measurements with and without reversibility. You will also be expected to participate in the set-up and download of overnight sleep studies and will be involved with any future development of the sleep service at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
You will undertake general clerical duties including data entry, appointment and booking amendments, telephone queries, filing and clinic preparation.
A flexible approach, accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
If you have any questions and wish to discuss the role or arrange an informal visit please do not hesitate to contact Vicky Hilton, Deputy Service Manager, or Janet Freel, Service Manager on 01270 612188.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.
We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies and children's health.
The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its ‘Be Safe Be EquiPPEd’ campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE. The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives. At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.
Contribute to the effective day to day provision of routine cardiac and respiratory investigations in your working area, reporting to and liaising with the Healthcare Scientists and the department supervisor.
Perform and interpret high quality electrocardiograms (ECG’s) for both adult and paediatric in-patients and out-patients in both hospital and community clinic settings.
Perform and interpret quality assured spirometry with/without reversibility studies for adult outpatient and inpatients in both hospital and community clinic settings.
Understand fully ECG indications and limitations to use, identifying areas of concern for escalation.
Understand fully spirometry indications, contraindications and limitations identifying areas of concern for escalation.
Set up of Ambulatory full disclosure 24/48- and 72-hour ECG monitors along with 7-day Novacor recorders, including patient hook up and download of results on return of device.
Set up of Ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure recordings including patient hook-up and download of results on return of device.
The post holder will be expected to organise their own day to day workload.
The post holder will have knowledge of a range of routine and non-routine healthcare science assistant duties acquired through training and experience.
The post holder will use their own clinical judgement involving facts or situations, identifying the correct application of procedure and when to report a problem. They will be expected to obtain information relevant to patient care, reporting clinical findings where necessary to team leader, ensuring appropriate discharge or ongoing care.
Maintain accurate documentation in line with the department standards and local policies and procedures. Contributing to documentation monitoring as required and keep up to date with information governance policies.
Preparation of the environment, including equipment and materials. Responsible for the safety and accuracy of equipment used. Understands the importance of and carries out calibration and verification of equipment.
To contribute to the care and welfare of patients, ensuring their safety and dignity at all times.
Contribute to and assist with systems of communication and liaison with referring agents and all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Providing and receiving information, which requires tact or persuasive skills or where there are barriers to understanding.
Liaise regularly with senior colleagues and/or team leader regarding workload and patient investigation findings for advice in ongoing care, investigations or discharge.
Responsible for the documentation and recording of patient information and attendance in written records or electronically.
Undertake surveys and audit of own work; may occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials and equipment testing.
