Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Healthcare Science Assistant (higher Level)
The closing date is 09 June 2025
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a HealthcareScience Assistant to join our team. This could be ideal for someone looking tostart or switch to a career in healthcare science.
Performing a range of respiratory and sleepinvestigations, our work involves an engaging mix of science, technology andpatient care, utilising a mixture of skills in order to obtain accurate andreliable results.
The department comprisesa small team working across two sites and this new role has been created tosupport expansion of the service. We are looking for someone who isenthusiastic, friendly, has good attention to detail and who enjoys helpingpeople, someone who will thrive within a busy, multidisciplinary team includingphysiologists, nursing staff, clerical staff and consultants
Main duties of the job
Thepost holder will perform a number of routine lung function tests, includingspirometry, FeNO and six-minute walk tests, and assist with sleep diagnosticsby setting up, issuing and downloading diagnostic sleep equipment. On the jobtraining will be provided, you will also be expected to complete the ARTPSpirometry Practitioner certificate. Your work will then follow standard operatingprocedures, with advice available from senior physiologists.
Therole will be primarily based at Sunderland Royal Hospital but will also includetime spent working & training at South Tyneside District Hospital.
It is essential to possessNVQ level 3 in an appropriatescience/healthcare-related subject (or equivalent level of qualification) or beable to demonstrate significant previous experience working within aRespiratory and Sleep Physiology department in an assistant practitioner (Band3 level) role. You must also haveexperience of working with the general public, preferably in a healthcaresetting.
About us
Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,600 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description for full details
* Assist in providing a high quality respiratory service for adult and paediatric patients.
* Deliver a high standard of patient care.
Plan, undertake and accurately perform a number of simple & routine respiratory investigations following standard operating procedures.
Download, set up and issue sleep study equipment.
Undertake cleaning / disinfection, maintenance, calibration and quality control procedures.
* Produce accurate test reports to aid diagnosis.
* Undertake a number of admin tasks relating to your work.
* Undertake training and CPD, provided in-house or by attending agreed courses.
* Work as part of the wider Respiratory Physiology team some cross-site working will be required when training and to support service demands.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ level 3 in an appropriate science/healthcare-related subject (or equivalent level of qualification) or able to demonstrate significant previous experience working within a Respiratory and Sleep Physiology department in an assistant practitioner (Band 3 level) role.
* ARTP Spirometry certificate.
Experience
* Experience of working with the general public.
* Relevant experience working in a healthcare setting.
* Relevant experience performing routine lung function / sleep tests.
Physical Skills
* Good hand/eye co-ordination to operate equipment.
* Able to move patients with moderate effort, e.g. position patient in wheelchair to correct position.
* Able to manoeuvre patients/equipment where space is limited.
* Able to manoeuvre/transport equipment on trolleys around the hospital.
* Capable of identifying coloured information displayed on screen (numerical and graphical data) and colour-coded equipment connectors.
* Occasional need to work cross-site.
Skills & Knowledge
* Good verbal and written communication skills.
* Able to communicate with a wide range of people, including patients, carers and colleagues.
* Good interpersonal skills - friendly, caring, enthusiastic, inclusive, professional attitude.
* Also a team player.
* Able to work within agreed policies and standard operating procedures.
* Able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
* Computer literate and able to use a range of software packages, including Microsoft Office.
* Motivated and prepared to undertake training and assessment.
* Able to deal with exposure to distressing and/or emotional situations.
* Able to deal with frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions (body odour / sputum).
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 name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
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