Job overview

We are looking for a motivated, enthusiastic and conscientious Specialist Cardiac Physiologist to join our echocardiography team. This role will provide valuable opportunities to develop skills in transthoracic echocardiography, and once BSE-accredited, further development in areas such as contrast echocardiography and physiologist-led services. 

We are a vibrant and diverse BSE-accredited department, collectively performing around 30,000 echocardiograms each year on all ages. Our team are involved in a wide range of specialist services including congenital and paediatric echocardiography, TOE, stress echo, and physiologist-led clinics. We pride ourselves on actively supporting continual professional development through educational and mentoring sessions.

Our department operates Monday to Saturday. Full time staff work 4 days per week. You will be asked to participate in Saturday and bank holiday working on a rotational basis with a compensatory day off during the week. Although Southampton General is our main site, there may be a requirement to work across multiple sites.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

•    Performing and reporting adult transthoracic echocardiograms to a high level.
•    Working towards local sign off to scan and report adult transthoracic echocardiograms. 
•    Working towards BSE accreditation in transthoracic echocardiography. 

A full list of your roles and responsibilities can be found within the ‘Job Description’ document. 

There are 3 key attributes we are looking for:

•    Strong foundational knowledge of echocardiography.
•    Takes ownership of professional development in addition to support given.
•    Excellent team player with an intrinsic desire for collective success.

In addition to these attributes, you must hold a suitable qualification (BSc Clinical Physiology or equivalent) with at least 1 year post qualification experience in echocardiography. BSE accreditation in adult transthoracic echocardiography is desirable but not essential. We would expect you to be working towards BSE accreditation.  

RCCP/HCPC/AHCS registration is desirable.

Applicants should be highly self-motivated and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria

• BSc in Clinical Physiology
• Immediate Life Support qualified

Desirable criteria

• Working toward or having RCCP voluntary registration

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Broad knowledge of a wide range of tests and techniques performed by Cardiac Physiologists
• Good understanding of the overall service requirements and of own role in the maintenance of an efficient service
• Good IT skills – able to record results into a range of databases

Desirable criteria

• Some experience in teaching and training

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential criteria

• Excellent communication skills at all levels internal and external to the department
• Able to prioritise own workload and that of junior staff
• Able to act on own initiative and work independently with consideration to the team working efficiently
• Self-motivated and effective when working under pressure
• Able to motivate others
• Excellent patient manner and communication, to create a relaxed environment in order to obtain the best quality results from any test performed
• To perform tests with an appreciation of individual patient needs, age, clinical condition, emotional state and cultural differences
• Able to analyse tests, assessing test results against acceptability criteria

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.