Senior Cardiac Physiologist - Harefield Hospital

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Patient/customer Care (both direct and indirect)

Assist in the management of patients within EP and CRM sections at Harefield. Analyses investigation results and writes reports for use by Physicians. Is able to counsel patients and patients’ relatives about all aspects of cardiac investigations/procedures including the reason for hospital admission/intervention.

During all cardiac investigations where the patient is at immediate risk of arrhythmia or arrest, monitors patient ECG, reports immediately in the event of any rhythm change/arrest and responds immediately to rescue the patient (provides life support /external defibrillation).

Where qualified, participates to a high level of competency in other sections of the Cardiac Physiology Department when necessary, including invasive and non-invasive cardiology, cardiac theatre, ITU and ward monitoring, cardioversions, temporary cardiac pacing and IABPs. Participates in the hospital on-call rota if required. Required to concentrate for long periods of time (> 2 hours at a time). Participates in waiting list initiatives in the catheter labs, catheter lab over runs and private cases.

During pacemaker/ICD implantation, other catheter laboratory procedures, ITU and cardiac theatre procedures and pacemaker/ICD follow-up clinics, assists in moving patients from examination couch to trolley/chair and moves patients whilst on trolley/chair.  Assists in cleaning clinic/catheter laboratory equipment and furniture at the end of investigation/procedure including infected cases. Moves heavy equipment.  Wears a lead apron whilst working in angiography laboratories.

Where patients/patients’ relatives have objections to or are uncertain regarding procedures or has complaints within the Cardiac Physiology Department/Cardiology Outpatients, has responsibility for overcoming the objection/satisfying the complaint using persuasion and tact.

Behaves tactfully and sympathetically towards patients who may be extremely anxious especially when giving them information or results or when they are admitted in critical condition. During catheter laboratory procedures explains to patients the reasons for relevant tests and comforts patients during stressful events. 

Attends mortuaries at associated hospitals to download data from Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and to render the device safe for explant prior to cremation and/or post-mortem.

Policy Development

Participates in Cardiac Physiology Department and Trust meetings, providing input and agreement to development of purchasing policies and investigation protocols for the Department.  Assist in the management and implementation of these policies and protocols relevant to section of EP / CRM and reports on any budget consequences to the leads for EP and Devices or the Principal Clinical Scientist (Cardiac Physiology). 

Participates in patient improvement services meetings to maximise catheter laboratory times and improved patient flow.

Service Development

Participates in Cardiac Physiology Department meetings providing input and agreement to development of business plans and service developments of the Department.  Assist in the management and implementation of these policies as far as it affects their specific cardiology section and budget of the Directorate.

Participates in the development of the Cardiac Physiology Service by continuing critical reviews of working practices, staying abreast of new developments in technology and maintaining a good overall knowledge of investigative cardiology.  To this end will attend and participate in scientific and technical meetings both within the UK and abroad.

Participates in the appraisal of new equipment for use within the Cardiac Physiology Department and catheter labs.

People Management

Assists in the recruitment of appropriately qualified staff for the Cardiac Physiology Department and helps to formulate staff rotas to allocate staff to fulfil the workload of the department. Assists in the induction of all new members of departmental staff.

Plays a major role in the appropriate training of all staff involved in CRM at Harefield and participates in the Cardiac Physiology education service to medical and paramedical staff within the hospital and at other hospitals when required.

Participates in the appraisal of all Cardiac Physiology staff and offers counselling and guidance to the department’s staff.

Sets and maintains standards of appearance and professional attitude.  Upholds the professional code of conduct as required by the SCST, RCCP, AHCS and HCPC professional bodies.  Be accountable for own professional and clinical practice and acts as a role model to other members of staff.

Communication

Participates in and provides specialist input to all Trust meetings. Participates in a programme of quality control and technical audit as part of the Trust’s clinical governance programme and the Cardiology Directorate’s aim of clinical excellence.

Liaises with the Clinical Engineering Department and equipment suppliers when requested to ensure that all non - disposable equipment in the EP lab / Pacing / ICD area of responsibility is maintained appropriately and remains operational.

Ensures that all relevant MHRA notices are acted upon appropriately.

To ensure that patients, their relatives, and visitors are acknowledged in an appropriate and friendly manner.

To ensure that patients’ privacy, dignity, religious and cultural beliefs are respected.

To answer the telephone in a correct manner and direct calls to the appropriate person/department when required. Answer queries from patients, GPs, other hospitals relating to patient investigations and the results of the same, along with technical questions concerning any monitoring equipment.

To use and develop effective communication skills. To be able to communicate appropriately with other staff members, other departments, consultants, patients and their relatives.

Facilitate effective communication both within the department and between the department and other departments throughout the Trust.

To facilitate good liaison and working relationships with other disciplines working within the department.

Contribute to the development of positive staff morale.

To be aware of procedures involving patient/visitor/staff complaints.

Resource Management

Provides input to the department’s annual budget request. Participates in departmental stock control and is responsible for ensuring that there is adequate stock for their specific cardiology section.

Information Management

Enters data into the departmental databases. Writes reports on cardiac investigations performed and inputs these to the relevant computer-based system.

Research

Instigates, coordinates, participates in and reports, for publication or internal use, on research into appropriate aspects of Cardiac Physiology or management issues.

 Further sections

To ensure all team members have a real voice in the development of the EP and Device services to patients / customers.
To maximise the potential of all team members.
To ensure that all team members have a meaningful appraisal/personal development plan that includes feedback to the individual from a selection of internal customers and team members.
To provide a safe and attractive working environment for team members within available resources.
To attend and play a major role in corporate groups as a representative of the directorate and team.
To represent the Trust at regional, national, and international conferences and on working groups as appropriate.
To abide by the Trust’s core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety policies.

Other duties

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested.