Highly Specialist Cardiac Physiologist* (XR07) in Leeds

We are looking to recruit an experienced and motivated Sonographer into our Cardiac Ultrasound team which is an integral part of the wider Cardiology services at Leeds. The successful candidate will be a key member of our echo service, providing advanced cardiac ultrasound investigations and supporting the development of junior staff. This is a fantastic opportunity for a person who is passionate about delivering timely, high-quality diagnostics that directly improve patient outcomes to join a dynamic and forward-thinking BSE-accredited department which has access to cutting-edge imaging technology.

The successful candidate will hold Level 2 BSE Adult Transthoracic Accreditation and will be capable of independently scanning and reporting at an advanced level. Working within a large, multidisciplinary team there are regular opportunities to continually develop theoretical and practical skills, and in-house training programmes lead to advanced practice within a spectrum of advanced Physiologist-led clinics. Strong leadership skills are valued, there will be opportunities to train and support junior staff, to help organise the day-to-day running of the department and take part in service development. Flexible working patterns are available to help support a work-life balance. Informal visits and conversations prior to interview are warmly encouraged.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for performing and reporting a wide range of specialist echo procedures. They will demonstrate the ability to make accurate and reproducible measurements, independently interpret findings, and produce reports to the highest standards. The continuous development of echocardiographic skills will be enthusiastically supported. Training will be provided to enable advanced practice in established and developing physiologist-led services within the ICC, Leeds Valve Service and Stress echo specialities. They will be encouraged to lead, motivate and develop small teams within their area of expertise. As part of the senior team they will contribute to the day-to-day organisation of service delivery and play active roles in the departments extensive audit, QA, and governance programmes.

Applicants should be well-organised, adaptable, and dependable, with the ability to work effectively under pressure. Strong prioritisation and teamwork skills are essential, along with a commitment to supporting the development of junior staff. The echocardiography department has a strong role in education and training, contributing to student programmes and the development of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from both within and outside the organisation. There will be opportunities to assist in designing training plans and delivering both practical and theoretical teaching.

About us

Come and join our team in Leeds and become part of The Leeds Way sharing our vision and values. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the largest acute health providers in the UK and based in one of the fastest growing and vibrant cities in the north. The Cardio-Respiratory Clinical Service Unit aims to be fair and supportive with positive, caring teams who are champions of the Leeds Way values. Our values are part of what make us different from other organisations, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are: Accountable, Empowered.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Clinical Duties

• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspect of own work, including the management of patients in your care.
• Routinely undertakes assessment of both in-patients and out-patients prior to a range of Cardiological Investigations and uses own discretion in order to ensure the patient is suitable for the investigation.
• Gives lead specialist advice during highly complex situations where analytical judgement is required to all other members of the multi-disciplinary team including consultant physicians.
• Carries out all aspects of clinical work as approved by their Line Manager.
• Lead Specialist in own clinical field. Implements change in own specialist area based on own experience and evidence-based practice.
• Works within and towards national guidelines and directives, e.g., BSE guidelines.
• Works as an autonomous practitioner within established departmental policies and those recognised by international organisations.
• Communicates with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible care for patients, including: negotiating, reassurance, empathy, and persuasiveness.
• Communicates sensitive information about routine and complex cardiac investigations to patients and relatives/carers and those with learning and/or physical disabilities.
• Calibrates and manipulates a wide range of complex, expensive, technical equipment which process, create, update and store information.
• Performs / provides factual reports on a number of the following investigations on a region-wide range of Cardiac and Medical patients including acutely ill patients and elderly patients and those with a range of physical and learning disabilities:

• Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
• 3D/4D Echocardiography
• Strain/speckle Echocardiography
• Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT)
• Physiologist Led Stress Testing
• Sonographer Led Valve Clinic
• Support for Transoesophageal Echocardiography
• Support for Interventional Cardiology

Professional

• Responsible for maintaining own technical competencies in clinical areas.
• Responsible for reporting clinical incidents and adverse events to the Service Manager, e.g., ultrasound probe heating / Datix.
• Maintain state registration.
• Responsible for formal mentorship and coordination of training for designated staff in training within own specialist area.
• Provides highly specialist training on a day-to-day basis for doctors and cardiac physiologists.
• Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.
• Undertakes Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in accordance with Personal Development Plan (PDP) as developed with Line Manager.
• Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings.
• Maintains and develops current knowledge of evidence-based practice in each clinical area.
• Responsible for the implementation and evaluation of capital and consumable equipment prior to purchase to ensure the equipment fulfils both service requirements and budget restrictions.
• Frequently undertakes collection of data for use in audit, research projects and equipment testing.
• Regularly undertakes clinical trials involving new and emerging technologies.
• Regularly provides training in Highly Specialist Cardiological techniques to staff members including specialist physiologists and medical staff.
• Collaborates with the Service Manager towards changes that may impact the wider service provision.

Organisational

• Ability to prioritise and organise the clinical caseload within a designated area of Cardiology. Includes planning and organisation of expected and acute workload and deployment of more junior staff within that area.
• Accountable for the delivery and day to day management of the delegated area of responsibility within their speciality.
• Effort Required to exert moderate physical effort. Frequent transferring of patients and equipment on both trolleys and wheelchairs. Prolonged MSK activity whilst performing ultrasound scans.
• Is forced to deal with confrontation from industry representatives who can be demanding and intrusive.
• There is a frequent requirement for prolonged periods of concentration. Occasional requirements for both prolonged and highly intense levels of concentration.
• Frequently interrupted during clinical work to give highly specialist advice to peers, physicians and takes urgent calls from other sources, e.g., staff at other hospitals within the region whom are seeking urgent advice.
• Exposure to highly distressing situations, e.g., cardiac arrhythmias, anaphylaxis, respiratory and cardiac arrest.
• To comply with the Trusts manual handling policy at all times.
• Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions on a regular daily basis e.g.: bodily fluids including blood, sputum, vomit, urine, fleas and lice.
• Occasional exposure to highly emotional situation away from own clinical area, e.g., having to perform echocardiography as part of assessment for organ retrieval.
• Occasional exposure to verbal and physical aggression.
• Frequently deals sensitively with patients who have high levels of anxiety and aggression caused by pain, dementia or limited mobility.

Person Specification

Skills & Behaviours

• Ability to motivate clinical teams
• Ability to navigate competing pressures and prioritise clinical workload
• Understanding of team dynamics and giving constructive feedback
• Ability to implement change following new guidance or clinical/service audit
• Provides leadership, support and guidance to other team members.

Additional Criteria

Why are you applying for this position at LTHT? Please state if you would like full (37.5 hours per week) or part time hours.

Qualifications

• Cardiac Physiology BSc, Cardiac Science MSc (STP) or relevant degree with ETP qualification or HNC/MPPM with qualifying long service and clinical experience.
• Registration with the AHCS/HCP
• Level 2 BSE TTE Adult Accreditation and active professional membership
• Teaching qualification

Experience

• Advanced theoretical knowledge of a broad range of fundamental and highly specialised cardiac investigations.
• Highly specialist skills and knowledge within the relevant field (Echocardiograph) in accordance with national guidelines.
• Competent to perform and report advanced echocardiographic procedures
• Working knowledge of echo support for interventional Cardiology

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.