Clinical Physiologist - Neurophysiology

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 ·         Independently perform digital EEG’s with video recordings on patients with routine monitoring of EEG plus activation procedures if not contra-indicated.

·         Perform EEG recordings to a consistently high level and with appropriate amendments as required, on neonates, paediatrics and patients of all ages and with additional needs.

·         Perform EEG’s for sleep-deprived/sleep recordings within the department, liaising with parents/ patients to ensure optimum results on an individual basis.

·         Carry out highly specialised portable EEG recordings on Wards/Intensive Care/High-Dependency Unit.

·         Monitor the EEG changes if required during administration (by clinician) of any medication in the department or on the wards/ITU.

·         Confidently perform specific 16 channel 24–72-hour ambulatory EEG recordings independently, a significant number being on paediatric patients with wide range of abilities.

·         In-depth analysis of ambulatory EEG, annotating and pruning relevant sections for consultant review as required.

·         Report on all tests, analysing data and writing comprehensive factual reports.

·         Competent and confident in providing provisional reports on investigations if clinically urgent and appropriate – both normal and abnormal, to other medical staff in the absence of off-site consultants.

·         Liaise with internal and external medical, nursing and healthcare professionals regarding patient care and management. 

·         Triage and prioritise patient referrals from all sources.

·         Ensure reports are sent out in a timely manner to all relevant parties, in accordance with local policies/departmental protocols.

·         Ensure data quality by undertaking equipment calibration for tests performed within the department.

·         Ensure the technical quality of assessment complies with published national guidelines.

·         Work alongside Head of Department, attending meetings as required and cascading information relevant to the service/learning.

·         Maintain and expand competencies to remain state registered.

·         Participate in relevant audits as required to enhance service provision at department/Trust/inter-departmental/National level.

·         Keep up to date with new developments/equipment within specialist Neurophysiology field and attend relevant national and inter-departmental meetings as part of CPD.

·         Assist in the planning and implementation of further specialist services for the neurophysiology department - researching and reviewing protocols and practices to maintain highest standards.

·         Responsible for CPD and achieving goals set in IPR appraisal plus ensuring mandatory training is up to date.

·         Responsible for maintaining good working order of all equipment adhering to Trust health and safety policies. Monitor and manage routine maintenance of equipment, ensuring repairs carried out as necessary with minimal disruption to patient care/service.

·         Perform clerical duties and assist Lead Physiologist in day-to-day running of department and managing service provision.

·         Partake in training of students/other medical/non-medical staff as required.

·         Monitor and maintain department stock levels.

·         Act in a manner that illustrates respect for privacy, dignity, equality, diversity, and confidentiality. 

·         Exhibit professional attitude and behaviour and always demonstrate excellent patient care skills.

·         Contribute to effective team working by being fully involved, committed, and participating, to achieving own and others full potential – being flexible and adaptable to meet the service needs.

 

Communications

 

·         Maintain accurate and timely records.

·         Develop positive relationships with patients, families, and carers.

·         Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and healthcare practitioners.

·        ·         Use communication tools (verbal/non-verbal) to gain informed consent with patients where there will often be barriers to effective communication e.g., loss of hearing, GDD, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, fear etc.

·         Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others; considering potential barriers to understanding.

·         Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.

·         Essential to maintain excellent levels of communication with:

o   All patients/carers/relatives

o   Medical/nursing staff (internal and external)

o   Risk advisors/clinical governance/HR staff/estates/finance teams

o   Neurophysiology Consultants and colleagues (internal and external)

o   Administrative, IT and clerical staff (internal and external)

o   National Professional body/relevant education providers

o   Portering and ancillary staff

o   Medical equipment manufacturers and suppliers

o   Any other persons involved in service provision of department.

Responsibility For Patient Care

Accountable for total care of the patient whilst in the department, often lone working and carefully monitoring clinical state during investigation procedure.

·         Be aware and confident in first aid procedures in the event of a seizure or change in clinical state.

·         Communicating with ward staff/clinicians to give verbal reports (both normal and abnormal) if deemed essential to patient care, in the absence of off-site consultant availability.

·         Communicate with wards/discharge lounge/Trust staff/portering and ambulance services as necessary for patient transport.

·         Optimising and prioritising smooth and positive patient journey.

·         Ensure patient confidentiality is always maintained.

·         Be responsible for delivering individual patient care with specific concern for their religious, cultural, and personal preference.

·  Use a range of techniques for infection prevention and control including waste management, hand washing and the use of Personal Protective Equipment.

Demonstrate a good understanding of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to the undertaking of procedures.

• Assist in maintaining and monitoring cleaning standards within the clinical area ensuring fixtures/ fittings and equipment is cleaned in accordance with guidelines.

·         Promote standards of health and safety in working practice and the workplace, by being responsible for self and others through identifying risks, undertaking work activities in a safe manner.

 Responsibility for Planning and Organising

·         Plan and prioritise own workload within given parameters to meet needs of patients and carers.

·    ·         Assist in the day-to-day planning to ensure the department activity targets are monitored and met

·         Contribute positively to longer term planning.

·         Have a responsibility to ensure all information processed for patients and staff is kept confidential, accurate and in line with the data protection act 2018 and Caldecott principles.

 

Responsibilities for Policy / Service Development

 Actively contribute to improve quality of patient centred service provision.

·         To be aware of, identify and implement changes in policy, procedures or service development as necessary.

T     To support line managers and departmental colleagues in making service improvements effective within the workplace.

·         Be familiar and comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures.

·        Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership

·         To assist in supporting new or less experienced work colleagues to adapt to the workplace.

·         Lone working requires full responsibility for activity when in the department.

·         Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns – speaking up when required and making this a part of their routine – making patient and staff care paramount.

Responsibilities for Teaching and Training

Demonstrate self-directed development, recognising own limitations, and work within the scope of the role at all times.

·         Recognise and consistently work within boundaries of the role and acquire skills and knowledge to develop competencies in service area.

·         Maintain responsibility for the identification of own continuing educational needs and development and ensure annual appraisals done by Department Lead/Manager.

·         Maintain competence in Statutory and Mandatory, training requirements in adherence to Trust Policy.

·         Attend appropriate training courses and keep up to date with developments within the service area.

• Actively contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• To participate in the evaluation of new equipment and maintain performance and monitor technical problems of existing equipment.
• Support Department Lead/Manager to maximise best use of clinical resources, implementing best practice in patient flow, admission, and discharge arrangements.
• Participate in cost awareness and cost control policies in the department.
• Assist in the effective management of patients in the speciality.
• Demonstrate knowledge of effective multi-disciplinary teamwork and the role of individual team members.
• To manage risk in line with Trust policies.

·         Adhere to the RCCP/AHCS code of conduct.

 

Responsibilities for data and information resources

 

·         Use IT systems as appropriate following training as required.

·         Responsible for the use of and security of assets within the department including own use and correct use by others e.g., IT equipment.

·        Research, Development and Audit

 

• Participate in departmental audit activity as required.

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