About this role
Job summary
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 a clinical autonomic scientist/practitioner or trainee to work alongside our existing clinical autonomic scientists/practitioners.
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 autonomic nervous system controls blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, sexual function, and the motility of the intestine and the urinary bladder.
Autonomic disorders can arise alone, as a single medical condition, or in combination with many other diseases such as parkinsonism and diabetes. Core duties relate to physiological diagnostic testing with the production of factual and clinical reports. You will be capable of self-directed learning. Phlebotomy skills and experience of specialist autonomic testing are desirable but not essential as full training will be given. You will be a caring person who enjoys interacting directly with the general public.
Main duties of the job
Undertake comprehensive specialist physiological testing and factual reporting of a range of autonomic functions in patients with neurological and other medical disorders using the wide range of medical technology within the area. This will include venepuncture/cannulation as part of the test procedures and the collection and processing of blood samples for specialist plasma biochemical assessment.
Provide and receive confidential, clinical, complex, contentious and sensitive information requiring reassurance, verbal and non-verbal communication skills and empathy: Consent patients for their investigations and encourage compliance with investigation protocols; extract relevant clinical information from correspondence, clinical case notes, patients and carers, explain clearly the investigations to be performed, their purpose and possible outcomes. Patients and carers may be anxious, confused or have limited English. You may need to work through an interpreter.
Write clear factual summaries in medical case notes of the complex information obtained during clinical investigations.
Prepare clear, detailed factual reports of investigations and present this information in writing for the medical records, local and external and orally at Consultants' ward rounds, to departmental colleagues and a wide range of clinical staff. Reports must be produced in a timely manner.
About us
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 provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:o University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)o National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgeryo Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitalso University College Hospital Grafton Way Buildingo Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicineo University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centreo The Hospital for Tropical Diseaseso University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
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.
Job description Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
The Autonomic Unit is 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). The Autonomic Unit provides an integrated investigational, diagnostic and therapeutic management service for people with a variety of autonomic nervous system disorders. Clinical autonomic scientists/practitioners are part of the healthcare science team performing comprehensive specialist physiological investigations on patients with neurological and other medical disorders to inform diagnosis and therapy. They work alongside consultants, nurses, administrators and researchers.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row.
UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff To find out more, visit: Flexible working.
To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?
Person Specification
Knowledge and Qualifications Essential
BSc in life sciences or equivalent
Desirable
Familiar with decontamination procedures for bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials
Experience Essential
Proven ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English
Desirable
Experience of performing autonomic investigations Basic life support and automated external defibrillator training
Skills and Abilities Essential
-Analytical and Judgemental systems: Able to concentrate for prolonged periods during testing, data analysis and handling of blood samples yet cope with unpredictable interruptions. -Analytical and Judgemental systems: Able to accept responsibility -Analytical and Judgemental systems: Demonstrate effective prioritisation and time management skills -Analytical and Judgemental systems: Able to make sensible judgements involving facts/situations that may require analysis and interpretations -Quality and service improvement: Ability to adopt an objective view and be a good team player -Information processing (IT skills): Proven competence in the use of office computer software, e.g Word, Excel and Powerpoint
Values Essential
Demonstrate ability to meet Trust Values of safety, kindness, teamwork and improving
Communication Essential
High level of written and oral communication, including attention to details. Understanding of the data protection act and an ability to act in such a manner as to maintain and protect confidentiality at all times. Able to use influencing and persuasive skills
Desirable
Proven ability to deal professionally and effectively with people who are difficult, distressed or anxious.
Personal and People Development Essential
Enabling people to learn new skills and information Able to undertake self-directed study without a structured timetable Able to learn new skills
Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion Essential
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
Specific Requirements Essential
-Physical effort: Able to stand for much of the day -Physical effort: Tolerant of hot, occasionally smelly environments: -Physical effort: Able to move to move cartons, some large, occasionally heavy (limited requirement) -Physical effort: Able to assist with the transfer of immobile/impaired people -Physical skills: Able or willing to learn phlebotomy skills, including cannulation -Physical skills: Dexterity and good hand-eye co-ordination for accuracy, to include above average keyboard skills, transfer/handling of blood/plasma, phlebotomy, delicate and expensive electronic equipment -Physical skills: The postholder will need to be passed fit to perform full duties of the post, this will be determined through occupational health with any reasonable aids provided wherever possible -Miscellaneous: Understanding of and commitment to the needs of the Autonomic Unit service
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery
Queen Square
London
WC1N 3BG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uclh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)