About this role
Job summary
The integrated care pathway for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) provides a spirometry service across the community and within the chest clinic at the hospital.
The lung function department is part of the chest clinic and is an integral part of supporting diagnosis through a variety of lung function tests.
The post holder will be responsible for carrying out routine lung function investigations to a high standard and in a professional manner whilst working within departmental guidelines, both at Lewisham Hospital and also in the community setting. They will be required to lead on spirometry training, offering support and guidance to practitioners across a variety of healthcare settings and taking an active role in the continuing professional development of their colleagues.
They will be a clinically credible practitioner who can provide effective patient care in a range of clinical settings, having regard for relevant policies. They will be required to work independently at times, and will be responsible for ensuring that they deliver a safe and effective diagnostic service. They will be expected to prioritise patient referrals.
They will be required to help to develop the service, identifying cost and quality improvements, where appropriate.
Main duties of the job
To be able to perform a wide range of standard and complex tests and procedures including capillary blood gas monitoring and spirometry
Participate in evaluation audit and research and incorporate appropriate findings into practice
Actively work to promote health and prevent ill health in staff patients and their relatives
Promote and maintain a safe and pleasant environment for patients visitors and colleagues
To work independently under indirect supervision of the senior lung function technician across a variety of settings in the community Offering education and performing spirometry
Ensuring that diagnostics are undertaken safely and in a timely manner reporting and documenting results appropriately and in line with legislation policies and procedures
To help maintain lung function equipment ensuring servicing and routine maintenance
To work with the senior lung function technician in ordering consumables for the department
About us
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is a community focused provider of local and acute care, providing high quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley.
With a turnover of around £700 million, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham and a range of community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup.
The Trust has 7,500 staff and we have recently invested in our workforce to grow our establishment across a number of key services. In 2020 we won a London NHS Parliamentary Award in recognition of a wide range of initiatives to make the organisation a great place to work. We are accredited as a flexible working employer offering a number of flexible working options for staff. We are also accredited as a London Living Wage employer for our substantive, bank and contractors
Job description Job responsibilities
To ensure that health and safety and infection control measures are adhered to at all times
To ensure that all equipment faults are reported to the senior lung function technician and in their absence to EBME
To advise and demonstrate safe manual handling techniques
Demonstrate to patients how to use the equipment that they will be using in their own homes EG Nebulizers
To help manage the administration and organisation of the lung function department
To maintain accurate computer and written records that fulfils the legal requirements and can be used for audit
To complete appropriate reports regarding community activity as required To ensure any written reports are filed promptly in the appropriate place
To manage written verbal referrals to the service ensuring they are entered onto the computer system and filed as appropriate
To support the management of the appointments system Ensuring pre designed letters are sent to patients in a timely manner
To speak with patients on the telephone addressing any questions or enquiries
To use ICare and RIO to check patients details and input relevant information allowing for audit around the lung function service
To undertake general administrative tasks within the lung function department service particularly relating to record keeping filing supplies errands and message taking
To undertake photocopying tasks EG Patient information leaflets
To comply with all policies and procedures particularly the Lone Working policy the Health and safety at Work Act and the Data Protection Act To report on complaints accidents and clinical incidents to the immediate senior as soon as possible
To be familiar with and comply with local fire procedures in locations where spirometry sessions are to be held
To be familiar with all emergency and precautionary procedures both on and off site and to respond as necessary EG Emergency resuscitation infection control etc
To identify and report a clinical risk within your own patient caseload and clinical area
Demonstrate an innovative and patient centred approach to treatment and care
To work with patients and their families who are living and managing with complex chronic conditions
To own a car and be driver
To be familiar with emergency and precautionary procedures both within the hospital and in locations where spirometry services are held
To undertake any other duties as requested by the senior lung function technician and the lead respiratory nurse
To participate in the individual performance review KSF and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Computer skills including word and excel. Ability to analyse complex data and report to senior members of staff. Able to undertake complex tests. Ability to communicate clearly in English, both verbally and in writing. Ability to work independently using own initiative. Ability to manage own caseload with access to qualified staff. Ability to write results of interventions clearly and concisely. Ability to anticipate and forward plan.
Personal Qualities Essential
Fit for active physical workload and resilient under reasonable pressure of work. Ability to gain co-operation and motivate others. Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team. Full clean driving licence valid for UK and access to a car.
Experience Essential
Experience of working in the NHS. Experience of working with patients who are living with COPD. Experience of performing spirometry, FeNo and reversibility testing using MDI's
Desirable
Experience of working within a lung function/spirometry service. Experience of working within varied clinical settings including the community. Issuing overnight sleep studies and capillary blood gases.
Qualifications Essential
'BSc in Respiratory and sleep physiology or equivalent
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.
Employer details Employer name Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address Lewisham Hospital Nhs Trust
Lewisham High Street
London
SE13 6LH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)