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- Tasks: Join our team as a Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner, focusing on echocardiography and diagnostics.
- Company: Be part of County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to patient care and professional growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, learning opportunities, and a supportive work environment with flexible options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your skills in a friendly, collaborative team.
- Qualifications: You need experience in echocardiography and relevant qualifications, plus a passion for patient care.
- Other info: We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds to enhance our team’s representation.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner / Specialist Cardiac Physiologist / Clinical Scientist / Echocardiographer to work as part of our friendly team providing a Cardiology and Respiratory diagnostics service. The principal hospitals within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are The University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland Hospital and Shotley Bridge Hospital. The Cardiology & Respiratory Investigations Units comprise a team of approximately 40 staff who provide a broad range of invasive and non-invasive procedures including echocardiography, stress echocardiography, trans-oesophageal echocardiography, diagnostic angiography, pacing implant / follow-up, complex device follow up, tilt testing and nerve conduction studies. The hospital base for this post is Darlington Memorial Hospital. We are actively developing services and encourage personal development / extension of roles. We are committed to providing learning and development opportunities. We actively encourage and support all appropriate professional development.
The successful candidate will work as part of a team in the busy Cardio-Respiratory departments. They will be a specialist in echocardiography, but will also perform a range of other physiological tests available within the department. They will produce evidence based clinical reports. They will provide training to other healthcare professionals and students and will supervise junior staff as well as deputise for more senior staff on occasions. They will work closely with colleagues to ensure that protocols and procedures meet local and national requirements for good practice and service delivery.
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager. You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks. We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
The candidate will be a specialist in echocardiography, and will derive clinical reports. They must have experience of working in a Cardiac Investigations department at band 5 or 6 level and have achieved the minimum academic qualifications in the Person Specification. They must be registered on the AHCS / HCPC register or on the AHCS Specialist Echocardiography Register and working towards Practitioner Training Programme equivalence. For applicants not on one of these registers, Annex 21 will apply until the advanced professional qualification (British Society for Echocardiography transthoracic adult accreditation) is obtained. They must hold a current certificate in Immediate Life Support, or be willing to undertake this within 6 months of employment.
Experience
- Experience in the field of echocardiography.
- Experience at Band 5 or Band 6 level, or equivalent.
- Experience of working within a Cardiac investigations Unit.
- Experience of a broad range of diagnostic procedures within Cardiology.
- Experience of audit and quality assurance programmes.
- Experience of training staff from a range of disciplines.
Statutory Registration
- Registered with AHCS or HCPC, or on the AHCS Specialist Echocardiography register and working towards Practitioner Training Programme equivalence.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science: Cardiac Physiology or MSc Clinical Science (Cardiac Science) or equivalent, with acceptance onto AHCS / RCCP / HCPC professional register.
- Or BSc in a relevant scientific subject, and on the AHCS Specialist Echocardiography Register, and working towards Practitioner Training Programme equivalence.
- Have, or be working towards the British Society of Echocardiography Transthoracic Adult Accreditation.
- Immediate Life Support certificate, or be willing to undertake this within 6 months of employment.
Special Requirements
- Able to travel across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post.
Special Skills & Knowledge
- Organizational skills.
- Ability to prioritise workload.
- Good communication skills written and verbal.
- Ability to perform a range of cardiology and/or respiratory diagnostic procedures.
- Underpinning knowledge of physiology applied to the cardiovascular system.
- Knowledge of pathologies relevant to Cardio-Respiratory medicine.
- Knowledge of medication which may be administered within Cardio-Respiratory Physiology and ability to administer as appropriate.
- Ability to analyse complex information, interpret results and provide accurate reports to Medical staff and other Healthcare professionals within Primary and Secondary care.
- Provide advice to clinicians.
- Ability to assess patient condition and seek expert assistance when required.
- Able to provide day to day supervision of section / group of staff.
- Undertaking audit and participation in research programmes.
- Supervisory experience.
- Ability to train other staff of all levels and act as a mentor.
- Ability to use evidence based practice to ensure quality standards.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 a year AFC Band 6 per annum pro rata.
Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner/ Clinical Scientist employer: CDDFT Charity
Contact Detail:
CDDFT Charity Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner/ Clinical Scientist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific echocardiography techniques mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss your experience with these procedures during the interview will show that you are well-prepared and knowledgeable.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. They can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with training and supervising staff, as this is a key responsibility of the role. Think of specific examples where you successfully mentored others or contributed to their professional development.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest developments in cardiology and respiratory diagnostics. Mentioning recent advancements or guidelines during your interview can demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and improvement in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner/ Clinical Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in echocardiography and cardiac investigations. Use specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your skills and achievements in this area.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for applying to the County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. Mention how your background aligns with their commitment to personal development and service delivery.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you list all necessary qualifications, including your registration with AHCS or HCPC, and any relevant certifications like Immediate Life Support. This is crucial as they will check for these during pre-employment checks.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since good communication skills are essential for this role, provide examples in your application of how you've effectively communicated complex information to colleagues or patients in the past.
How to prepare for a job interview at CDDFT Charity
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of echocardiography and the various diagnostic procedures mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss your experience in these areas and how it relates to the role.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working as part of a team, be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with colleagues in the past. Highlight any experiences where you trained or supervised junior staff, as this will demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Prepare for Clinical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about specific clinical situations or challenges you might face in the role. Think through how you would handle these scenarios, especially those related to patient assessment and reporting results accurately.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask. This could be about the team's approach to professional development or how they implement quality assurance programmes. It shows your genuine interest in the position and the organisation.
