Job overview
Cardio-Respiratory Assistant - 32 Hours
To perform without supervision, basic cardiac and respiratory diagnostic investigations such as ECG, ambulatory cardiac monitoring and simple spirometry. Provide printed reports to the referring physician. To provide assistance to other physiologists when required in more complex modalities.
To perform admin duties such as booking appointments and answering queries on the reception desk and by telephone. Perform clerical duties such as filing, printing and dealing with post.
To interact with patients and colleagues in a friendly and confident manner. To work within the standards expected within the Trust.
Main duties of the job
1. Following training, independently perform diagnostic quality cardio-respiratory tests ( 12 lead ECG, spirometry etc) to a high standard
2. Following training, independently fit ambulatory ECG, BP monitors and sleep study monitors giving the relevant instructions and information to the patient to ensure accurate use and safe return of monitor
3. Perform basic measurements such as temperature, height and weight
4. Assist with taking patients into echo rooms, attach ECG leads and enter patient details accurately into echo machine under supervision
5. Assist with other cardiac and respiratory tests under supervision
6. Perform admin tasks such as booking and changing appointments, answering queries from patients and clinical staff face to face, by email and by telephone
7. Take patients to and from wards for cardio-respiratory tests in wheelchairs
8. Maintain your own skills and keep up to date with mandatory training and Trust policies
9. To assist in monitoring stock levels and placing orders for stock within the department.
10. Partake in departmental meetings
11. Assess and prioritise workload efficiently
12. Assist with training others when required
13. Maintain accurate patient records
14. Maintain confidentiality, patient privacy and dignity at all times
15. To be flexible and able to adapt to change
Working for our organisation
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.
We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:
16. Safety
17. Care
18. Respect
19. Communication
20. Learning
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ & Disabled people.
Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
SECTION 1- MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES :
PROFESSIONAL / CLINICAL:
21. Following training, independently perform diagnostic quality cardio-respiratory tests ( 12 lead ECG, spirometry etc) to a high standard
22. Following training, independently fit ambulatory ECG, BP monitors and sleep study monitors giving the relevant instructions and information to the patient to ensure accurate use and safe return of monitor
23. Perform basic measurements such as temperature, height and weight
24. Assist with taking patients into echo rooms, attach ECG leads and enter patient details accurately into echo machine under supervision
25. Assist with other cardiac and respiratory tests under supervision
26. Perform admin tasks such as booking and changing appointments, answering queries from patients and clinical staff face to face, by email and by telephone
27. Take patients to and from wards for cardio-respiratory tests in wheelchairs
28. Maintain your own skills and keep up to date with mandatory training and Trust policies
29. To assist in monitoring stock levels and placing orders for stock within the department.
30. Partake in departmental meetings
31. Assess and prioritise workload efficiently
32. Assist with training others when required
33. Maintain accurate patient records
34. Maintain confidentiality, patient privacy and dignity at all times
35. To be flexible and able to adapt to change
SECTION 2- KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
36. Communicate information, sometimes complex, to multidisciplinary team
37. Recognise the signs and symptoms of urgent cardiac and/ or respiratory abnormalities and take appropriate and timely action
38. Use of specialised clinical equipment in a competent manner
39. Daily contact with patients/carers sometimes with communication difficulties. Use of verbal and non-verbal communication effectively. Be aware of Trust policy for accessing interpretation service. Dealing with patients with learning difficulties or disabilities in appropriate manner using necessary support services if required.
40. Use of complex Patient Management system (PRISM) patient entry, report entry, access to appointments diary and retrieval of information.
SECTION 3- EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENT
Physical Effort:
Performed on a daily basis, needs mild physical effort throughout the working day and to carry out concurrent activities.
41. Moving and handling within the Trust policy and in line with training provided; move patients in wheelchairs and on trolleys. Manoeuvre patients onto bed and position for necessary procedures. Some of these patients are stroke patients with minimal/no mobility.
42. Assist with moving larger pieces of machinery such as echo machines
43. Assist patient with dressing/undressing as required with dignity and care
44. Supports patients for long periods of time holding patients over on side for scanning or on treadmill.
45. Prolonged periods stood up
46. May be required to work in darkened room when assisting with echocardiography
Emotional Effort:
47. Frequently exposed to emotionally demanding situations performing cardiac procedures on very sick/terminally ill patients or patients who have been given bad news.
48. Frequently dealing with angry, upset and difficult patients/relatives
SECTION 4-ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
provide cover for colleagues as directed by your manager.
49. Risk Management (Health & Safety)
50. You will follow risk management procedures at all times. The Risk Management procedures for the Trust and the department are kept by the departmental manager.
51. You are personally responsible for Risk Management issues in respect of yourself and your colleagues.
52. If you identify a potential hazard you should report it to your manager / supervisor at once. If in doubt you should speak to your manager for guidance.
53. You must always use safety equipment provided, and report any defects to your manager. You must attend Risk Management Training as directed by your manager.
54. If you are a manager or have line management responsibilities for staff or a department or area of work, you are responsible for the Risk Management issues in that area. You will ensure that there is an annual Risk Management audit in your area and make sure that where necessary, an action plan eradicating risks is drawn up and implemented.
55. Should you need help in resolving Risk Management matters, you must seek assistance from your manager.
56. Infection Prevention and Control
57. You are personally responsible for ensuring that you protect yourself, patients, visitors and colleagues from the risks of infection associated with health care activities and the care environment.
58. You must adhere to infection prevention and control policies at all times liaising with the infection control team and acting on any instructions given.
59. You must attend regular infection prevention and control update training.
60. You should at all times promote and demonstrate good practice for the prevention and control of infection.
61. To avoid any behaviour which discriminates against your fellow employees, or potential employees on the grounds of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.
62. To safeguard at all times confidentiality of information relating to patients and staff.
6 Child Protection and Vulnerable People
It is the responsibility of all staff to safeguard children and/or vulnerable adults, to access training to ensure they know what constitutes abuse, and what support is available to them, at a level appropriate to their role and responsibilities.
To report any concerns, without delay, to the identified person within their department/division or area of responsibility as per the relevant policies, keeping clear records, and following up as required to ensure necessary actions have been taken.
63. No Smoking Policy
The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy which states that smoking and vaping is prohibited within all Trust premises and on the site. This includes entrances, exits, cars, lease cars, car parks, pavements and walkways, areas hidden from general view and residences. As an employee of the Trust you are expected to comply with this policy, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken under the Trust’s Conduct and Disciplinary Policy.
64. To behave in a manner which ensures the security of NHS property and resources.
65. To abide by all relevant Trust Policies and Procedures.
This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
66. Educated to GCSE (grade A-C) or equivalent
Desirable criteria
67. GCSE English and Maths (grade A-C) or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
68. Working with patients in a healthcare capacity
69. Dealing with people who are ill, angry, upset
70. Dealing with queries face to face and by telephone in a busy environment
Desirable criteria
71. Experience of performing ECG
72. Experience of performing Simple Spirometry
73. Experience of fitting cardiac monitors
74. Working with various IT systems
75. Experience of patient transfer
76. Working in an NHS office environment
77. Experience of working with Lorenzo
Skills
Essential criteria
78. Excellent communication skills; able to communicate information to clinical staff and patients
79. Articulate with good written and spoken English
80. competent with good keyboard skills
81. Ability to work autonomously
82. High degree of organisational skills
83. Good time management
84. Excellent attention to detail
New colleagues can look forward to a warm welcome here at Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.
For our agenda for change staff, we offer a competitive benefits package with regular pay awards, annual leave of 27 days increasing to 33 days after 10 years and access to a competitive Pension Scheme to which both you and the Trust contribute. These terms and conditions are not applicable for Non-Executive positions.
Alongside this there are extensive training development opportunities with paid mandatory training, a protected training budget for staff and support for flexible working. We have an on-site Occupational Health Service to support you at work and have fast track access to physio, counselling and complimentary therapies.
The Trust is committed to making a difference to the environment. Our "Save Planet Tameside & Glossop" strategy means that we work towards protecting our natural environment and "green" workplace practices at all times.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.