Principal Clinical Autonomic Scientist

The Autonomic Unit (a leading nationally and internationally recognised centre dealing with a wide variety of autonomic disorders with a strong academic link with the Institute of Neurology) requires an exceptional experienced Senior Clinical Autonomic Scientist/Practitioner to advance this key healthcare science role. The Autonomic Unit provides an integrated investigational, diagnostic and therapeutic management service for people with a variety of autonomic nervous system disorders. You will be part of the healthcare science team performing comprehensive specialist physiological investigations on patients with neurological and other medical disorders to inform diagnosis and therapy.

The Principal Clinical Autonomic Scientist leads the clinical autonomic science team, manages the Autonomic Unit day to day and represents autonomic healthcare science locally, nationally and internationally. The successful applicant will have extensive experience of a wide range of specialist autonomic function testing in a clinical context and documented experience of significant contributions and/or formal learning relating to:

• Staff Development
• Safe Practice
• Quality and Efficiency
• Service development, locally and nationally
• Research/audit
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Strategy and planning
• Budget Management
• Professional Standards

Main duties of the job include:

• Training for clinical autonomic scientists/practitioners is by an apprenticeship/system led by experienced staff. The post holder will be responsible for oversight of this training, standards of performance and examination of apprentices.
• The post holder is the departmental budget holder responsible for spending remaining within budget.
• Responsible for meeting activity and income targets for the autonomic investigation service.
• Line manager for the autonomic healthcare science team.
• Responsible for the departmental continuing professional development seminar programme.
• Member of the departmental management team.
• National representative for autonomic neuroscience.
• Provides specialist advice to users of the autonomic service.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Person specification includes:

• Knowledge and Qualifications: First or second class Master’s degree in physiology, biomedical science or neuroscience, or equivalent specialist knowledge. Evidence of satisfactory participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or recognised equivalent.
• Experience: Significant previous experience in the full range of autonomic diagnostic disorders. Previous experience in Advanced autonomic testing (pharmacological stimulation). Experience in a management role including training and supervision, appraisal, sickness management, resource management, procurement and allocation of workload. Up to date awareness of International policies affecting the NHS and Autonomic testing skills required. A good record of research and development experience as appropriate to the service including involvement in national guideline on diagnosis and treatment of autonomic disorders and experience of presentation of scientific data at national and international meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.
• Skills and Abilities: Ability to concentrate and to work under pressure. Ability to provide effective training to staff grades working in the section/department. Track record of research and publications. Understanding/knowledge of research ethics.
• Communication, accountability and interpersonal Skills: To understand, communicate and implement appropriate aspects relating to the quality of service in theory and practice. To understand and apply the principles of Clinical Governance, audit and internal and external quality control in according to Best Practice Guidelines. Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information e.g. test results, to users of the service and other health care professionals. Good personal (and team) organisational skills.
• Personal and People Development: Approachable. Team Player.
• Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion: Demonstratable understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and/or Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties.

At UCLH, we have a real ‘One Team’ ethos, and our values – safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England. At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.