About this role
Job summary
The post-holder will join the Sleep Team within the Sleep and Non-Invasive Ventilation Unit at Bristol Royal Infirmary, a busy and evolving regional service providing diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services in line with NICE NG202.
The service covers a wide geographical area and delivers a comprehensive range of diagnostic investigations, including oximetry, respiratory polygraphy, polysomnography with or without MSLT/MWT, and actigraphy. We currently support more than 13,000 patients receiving auto-CPAP therapy and work closely with colleagues across UHBW, including Bristol Dental Hospital for mandibular advancement devices and the ENT department.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced healthcare scientist or physiologist to support the day-to-day operational running of the Sleep Service while maintaining a clinical caseload. The successful candidate will undertake outpatient sleep clinics, assessing new and follow-up patients, interpreting diagnostic investigations, and planning and reviewing appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.
The role also includes supporting service development, quality improvement initiatives, staff supervision and the delivery of high-quality patient care within a multidisciplinary team. Participation in late-shift working, including the set-up of polysomnography studies, may be required.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include:
o Independently assess and manage patients referred to the Sleep Service.
o Interpret and request appropriate diagnostic investigations to support clinical decision-making.
o Determine and initiate appropriate treatment for sleep-disordered breathing.
o Review and manage patients established on CPAP ensuring treatment remains clinically effective and aligned with patient needs.
o Plan, perform, analyse, interpret and report a range of sleep investigations, initiating subsequent management where appropriate.
Respiratory Polygraphy (including WatchPAT) Polysomnography Actigraphy Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWT) Capillary and transcutaneous blood gas monitoring o Deliver 1:1 CPAP set-up appointments for patients with additional or complex needs, providing tailored education and support.
o Provide specialist advice and support to multidisciplinary teams regarding CPAP equipment and therapy for both elective and acute admissions, within and outside the Trust.
o Triage new referrals to the Sleep Service, ensuring patients are directed to the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment pathway.
o Complete DVLA medical reports as required (HCPC registrants only).
o Support the Senior Physiologist team in the day-to-day operational management of the service.
o Contribute to the supervision, training and development of junior staff and students where appropriate.
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, employing more than 13,000 staff across 10 sites and delivering over 100 clinical services to a population of more than 500,000 people across the South West.
Rated as 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), we are proud of the high-quality care we provide and the dedication of our staff. As a forward-thinking organisation, UHBW is recognised for innovation, research and digital transformation, with a strong focus on improving outcomes and experiences for patients.
Working at UHBW offers the opportunity to develop your career within a large and diverse organisation while enjoying everything the South West has to offer. From the vibrant city of Bristol to the coastline of Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding countryside, our locations provide an excellent work-life balance.
UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We are an inclusive employer and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to designing services around the needs of our patients and their families. Anonymous information from applications is used to help us monitor and promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the Trust.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information about the role and a full list of responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date should a sufficient number of applications be received. Early application is therefore encouraged.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
BSc/BA in Clinical Physiology or an appropriate subject or equivalent international qualification AHCS or HCPC Registered (or application pending) or equivalent Continuing evidence of CPD
Desirable
Staff Management Experience RPGST/ESRS qualification Postgraduate qualifications in relevant subject or relevant specialist experience
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Working within a sleep-breathing disorders service or a relevant associated field Undertaking analysis and reporting of complex and highly complex advanced specialist assessments, including polysomnography, and providing outcome advice Formal/informal teaching to a range of healthcare practitioners, patients, and patient groups Management/supervision and co-ordination and training of junior and trainee staffs and the development of in-house training programmes Independently undertaking sleep outpatient clinics, specifically in the assessment, review and management of follow-up patients Working within a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
Desirable
Participation in research, service evaluation and clinical audit
Skills and Abilities Essential
A combination of frequent light physical effort (carrying equipment 2 - 10 kg), occasional moderate physical effort (moving morbidly obese patients in wheelchairs) and frequent standing, kneeling or sitting in a restricted position Highly developed physical skills where accuracy and/or speed are essential, and may include manipulation of fine tools, obtaining arterial/capillary blood gases or the assembly of specific complex circuitry Ability to work within known policies and national/international guidelines (AASM, ARTP, BSS, BTS, ERS/ATS, NICE etc), making appropriate judgements within the multidisciplinary team
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 Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
Address Bristol Royal Infirmary
Upper Maudlin Street
Bristol
BS2 8HW
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)