Head of Department, Cardiology Investigations in Coventry

Head of Department, Cardiology Investigations

NHS AfC: Band 8b

Main area Cardiology Grade NHS AfC: Band 8b Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 218-HSS-B8B-8375698

Site University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Town Coventry Salary £66,582 - £77,368 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 10/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

UHCW is one of the largest acute Trust’s in the country. With 18 Cardiology Consultants, we provide World Class innovation and research in all aspects of Cardiology.

We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and enthusiastic manager, to lead the teams of Cardiac Physiologist/Clinical Scientists within the Department here at UHCW Trust and at our Community Diagnostic Hubs. The Head of Department will share our vision to be trusted to provide consistently outstanding care and exemplary service to our patients.

We offer a region-leading Cardiac Imaging Service, offering the full repertoire of echocardiography. Including Complex ACHD, 3D Echocardiography, Pharmacological and Exercise Ischaemic Stress Echo, Strain Echocardiography, TOE, DSE, Transcatheter Structural Intervention and Cardio-Oncology Echocardiography. As well as providing Advanced Cardiac Imaging input to regional hospitals and a range of West Midlands MDTs.

We actively support the training of new cardiac physiologists, specialist registrars, and members of the wider multidisciplinary team as well as our own staff. We hold regular MDT meetings for interesting case review or when there is ambiguity, providing further training opportunities. The department encourages and supports research, educational development and attendance and participation at local and national meetings.

Main duties of the job

We anticipate future service developments which will include advanced Cardiac Physiologist led clinics and will rely upon the Head of Department to help embed these services.

The Head of Department is responsible for the day-to-day management, long term planning, development and the training within the area. You will demonstrate effective clinical leadership skills and expertise in the performance of a range of investigations performed by the Cardiology Investigations Team.

You will employ high standards of skills and knowledge in diagnostic testing, interpretation, reporting and treatments in order to achieve best quality patient care.

You will possess a leadership responsibility for a defined team of staff, participating in Human Resource Management including sickness/absence, performance management, career development and appraisal.

Reporting to the Group Manager of Cardiology and working alongside the Clinical Lead and Modern Matron for Cardiology, the successful applicant will be responsible for managing the Department of Cardiology Investigations and leading on the development of the teams, driving innovation, recruitment and developing Cardiac Physiologist led services.

This is a full-time role with clinical and on‑call responsibilities.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Line Management of the B8a’s within the DCI Team, ensuring that appraisals, physiology competencies, professional registration, mandatory Training and sickness management is up to date and managed in line with National KPI’s
• Management of the DCI pay and Non‑Pay Budgets, with authorisation of up to £10k on any order. Management of financial performance
• Accountable for the supervision of the procurement, management and maintenance of all clinical physiology equipment and software
• To ensure that the service is compliant with all relevant national standards and service specifications and that clinical governance reporting and assurances are provided as required.
• To take the lead and manage all clinical physiology specific complaints and adverse incidents, reporting trends, themes and sharing the learning across the clinical group.
• Work in other areas of clinical physiology as required, supervising, analysing, and interpreting a wide range of procedures autonomously.
• To support the delivery of service improvements and expansions as required
• To be responsible for risk management and incident reporting for the department
• Lead on the Health and Safety of the Department including Fire safety, Risk assessments, DSE assessments, CoSH, Clinical Safety Audits
• Support patient flow and maximisation of capacity throughout the department as required.
• Oversee the Workforce plans and implementation of service development and expansion.
• Develop and Implement Cost improvement schemes or cost avoidance schemes.
• Manage and deliver the operational Performance in line with National and Local KPI’s and set targets – Mainly 6 week diagnostic targets, DNA KPI’s, Activity targets and Utilisation KPI’s.
• Develop and Implement standard working procedures, Standard operating Procedures and Business Continuity plans for the service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification MSc or Post BSc qualification ILS (adult) Registered/qualify for registration with RCCP or HCPC Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
• Post Graduate Level Qualification Clinical teaching qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

• Post BSc level of experience as a Senior Cardiac Physiologist Extensive experience in a management position within a relevant healthcare organisation Experience of managing and delivering service redesign and change management programmes/initiatives Proven track record and Experience of delivering against set objectives and achieving key targets, demonstrating continuous and quality improvements Extensive line management experience, with experience and knowledge of use of good HR practice, including a working knowledge of contract / employment law Experience with business planning processes including business case development and implementation Experience with use of Hospital reporting systems and electronic patient record systems Experience with formal and informal stock control and management systems
• Experience of partnership working with a range of agencies to commission and develop services Experience of managing a large DCI Department Experience of Budgetary management and cost improvement programmes Experience with clinical audit and reporting of such

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of a wide range of non-invasive and invasive cardiac techniques Knowledge of the working with interdependent companies and providers supporting the development of Cardiac Investigations, including research and development Knowledge of the Trust’s Values

Skills

• Persuasive negotiator, being able to put together convincing well supported arguments to support change, both within therapy services and the wider health and social care community. Able to analyse and make judgements on a wide range of general management subjects, e.g. Finance, HR, quality, environment. Able to write and convincingly present reports to a range of audiences at all levels of the organisation Ability to work and interact as part of a team Able to work calmly under pressure, to tight deadlines, using own initiative and sound judgment Aptitude for learning and teaching new procedures Excellent Interpersonal / communication skills Ability to process and communicate complex information Very good time management skills Able to motivate and manage staff

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• Evidence of demonstrating the Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect) and the associated Values in Action behaviours in the workplace. For posts with managerial responsibility only Evidence of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and ensuring fair and equitable practices throughout your work experience. Evidence of promoting a culture which helps individuals live behaviours aligned to our Trust Values (Compassion, Openness, Pride, Partnership, Improve, Learn and Respect)

To ensure that we provide world‑class patient care, UHCW recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

The Trust is committed to Equal Opportunities within the workplace. All vacancies will be considered for Job Share unless otherwise stated. All applicants who have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be interviewed. Where a post has an overwhelming response, this Trust may use random selection in order to reduce numbers to interview, any disabled applicants will automatically be guaranteed an interview and will be exempt from this process.

In submitting an application form, you authorise University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust to confirm from your previous or current NHS employer and other prior employers; previous NHS service details and personal data held about you, including Occupational Health data (inoculations and screening tests). This data will be transferred using NHS Electronic Staff Record and third-party systems via an automated process and only used for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining accurate employment records, should you be appointed to the post.

UHCW NHS Trust, by virtue of its Green Plan, is committed to ensuring that the way we provide services minimises the impact on the environment and the future health of the public e.g. zero waste to landfill, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our recycling and reuse percentages.

If you are successful at interview you will receive a conditional offer of employment and we’ll ask you for information so that we can carry out pre‑employment checks. You must successfully complete all pre‑employment checks to progress to a final unconditional offer.

We must confirm the identity of our staff and their right to work in the United Kingdom. We will ask you to submit proof of your identity and right to work documents via a secure digital platform approved by the Home Office, named TrustID. Alternatively, you may be asked to attend our office with original documents.

Depending on you level of exposure with patients you may be required to undertake a Standard or Enhanced DBS. The cost of this check will be charged to you and will be deducted from your salary over the first 3 months of employment at the current rate.

All correspondence will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk/SPAM folders

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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