Job Description

Working as part of the Chest Unit/ Integrated Respiratory team the post- holder is responsible for the delivery of quality assured diagnostic spirometry services in Lambeth and Southwark. The post holder will be based at King's College Hospital and provide clinics both in the hospital and in the surrounding community GP practices.



The post-holder will be responsible for independently performing quality assured diagnostic spirometry and exhaled FENO in a community setting and at Kings College Hospital.



The post holder will be expected to work and communicate with many healthcare professionals on several sites including King's College Hospital, Guys and St Thomas's Hospital and GP practices throughout Lambeth and Southwark



Responsibility for the provision of a quality assured diagnostic spirometry and exhaled FENO service with no day to day supervision from a Senior Physiologist



Independently performing quality assured spirometry on adults in a community, primary care or hospital setting



Administering bronchodilator to assess for reversibility.



Required to obtain the ARTP Foundation Certificate in Spirometry



Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO)



Preparation of reports for spirometry and FENO results for checking by Senior Physiologist



King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.



We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.



King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.



Quality Management



Responsibility to ensure that their own competency records are completed and maintained as necessary.



Responsibility to ensure the performance and recording of the required calibration and quality assurance and/ or the withdrawal of equipment from use if required.



Responsibility for the adherence to schedule and recording of the departments Quality Assurance programme to include BioQC and other required departmental checks.



Responsibility for the reporting of non-conformities within the service.



Responsibility to represent Kings College Hospital positively whist working at community locations.



Technical Duties and Responsibilities



Spirometry and FENO



Responsibility for the provision of a quality assured diagnostic spirometry and exhaled FENO service with no day to day supervision from a Senior Physiologist



Independently performing quality assured baseline spirometry on adults in a community or primary care setting:

o Ensuring that all required calibration and quality control procedures have been performed.



o Obtaining verbal consent prior to testing and highlighting any patients who do not wish to consent to the lead Physiologist.



o Ensuring that all spirometry measurements are performed to the required national standards for reproducibility and reliability



o Recognising errors in patient technique and providing direction for the correction of errors



o Ensuring that patients are aware of and have adhered to pre-tests instructions



o Documentation of deviations to pre-test instructions



o Documentation of any errors in patient technique so that it is taken in to account during the reporting process



o Ensuring that all relevant contra-indications to spirometry testing have been assessed prior to testing and aware of the procedure if a contra-indication is present.



o Adherence to protocols that ensure infection control and safety during spirometry measurements



o Ensuring that all equipment issues and faults are escalated to a senior physiologist



o Recognising if a patient requires highlighting to the clinic lead for urgent clinical intervention



Administering bronchodilator to assess for reversibility.

The post holder will be required to obtain the ARTP Foundation Certificate in Spirometry



Independently performing the measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO)



Preparation of reports for spirometry and FENO results for checking by Senior Physiologist



Communication



Independently explaining the purpose of clinical measurements to patients referred to the community clinics

Independently gaining verbal consent for testing

Independently explaining test procedures and correcting errors in technique where required

Ensuring that the appropriate level of coaxing and encouragement is given to each patient to ensure that the maximal results are achieved for spirometry



Administration



Assisting with the administration of spirometry clinics as required which will involve sending appointment letters and contacting the patients via telephone or e-mail. Assisting with the production and sending of reports to the patients GP.

Information Management



Supporting the teams 6 week diagnostic targets and highlighting potential deviation from targets to the clinical lead



Ensuring that confidential and sensitive information relating to patients is kept confidential and secure in line with Trust policies Recording information on EPIC in an accurate and timely manner Recording activity data and patient outcome data into databases and spreadsheets as required

Human resources



To be an active team member by supporting other members, offering assistance, being flexible and approachable particularly during changing service demands and staffing levels.

Physical resources



Ensure all equipment is functioning correctly and arrange for repair or replacement as necessary keeping the Senior Physiologists in the area informed of progress. Responsibility for the calibration, quality control and maintenance of all equipment used and reporting defects in equipment in a timely manner to the clinical lead Undertaking cleaning of equipment used Responsibility for stock control for consumables required for spirometry, FENO and exCO.

Service Development



Ensuring that all respiratory department and Trust policies are adhered to Commenting on changes to departmental policies, procedures and service developments as required.

Training, Education and Research



Participating in the King's College Hospital Employee Performance Appraisal system and to fulfil its requirements Responsibility for personal lifelong learning (LLL) attending appropriate courses following discussion with the lead clinician. * Participation in the provision of accredited spirometry training courses for external delegates as required