Overview
The Band 7 Chief Cardiac Physiologist will play a leading role in the provision of specialist echocardiography services within the Cardiology Department. The post-holder will be instrumental in the development and day-to-day delivery of both Valve Clinic and the Physiologist-Led Stress echocardiography services. This highly specialised role involves autonomous practice in advanced echocardiography, including independent acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of complex studies. The post-holder will work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team, contributing to the assessment and management of patients with valvular heart disease and suspected coronary artery disease. You will be responsible for ensuring service quality, clinical governance, and adherence to BSE standards, as well as supervising junior physiologists and supporting service development initiatives.
Clinical Physiology BSc degree combined with appropriate technical training and Echocardiography accreditation (BSE or EACVI) are mandatory for this position. We actively encourage continuous professional development with staff attending conferences and courses.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Main duties
* To provide, as part of the cardiac physiologist team, cardiac diagnostic services across the trust sites Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex Hospital, specialising in the field of Echocardiography.
* As a specialist in Echocardiography, you will perform a range of highly specialist cardiac ultrasound investigations, measurements and analysis, interpret findings and issue final clinically diagnostic reports to a competent and highly professional standard.
* Provide assistance in the performance of cardiac investigations relevant to your specialist field.
* Assist in the supervision and training of other echocardiographers, cardiac physiologists, doctors and students.
* Assist the lead Cardiac Physiologist in the provision, organisation and development of the services of the department, including some administrative and housekeeping tasks.
* Maintain accreditations with the relevant professional bodies/societies.
Job responsibilities
* Participate in the provision of echocardiographic services across the trust including departmental sites and at point of care and community locations.
* Cooperate in the provision of an evolving and flexible service (with possible altering shift patterns and occasional weekend working). Appropriate consultation prior to any proposed alterations to working patterns will be given.
* Perform all echocardiographic studies to departmental protocols & relevant society standards/guideline, including transthoracic adult, bubble, contrast (LVO), exercise (treadmill and bike) and pharmacological stress tests utilising a range of techniques.
* Perform accurate and reproducible standard and advanced echocardiographic measurements to departmental and relevant society standards/guidelines.
* Perform complex analysis techniques to image acquisitions for 3D volumetric quantification and 2D strain.
* Interpret echocardiographic findings and produce timely signed off diagnostic reports to departmental and relevant society standards.
* Provide technical assistance in the performance of transoesophageal echocardiographic tests and cardiac investigations relevant to your specialist field.
* Monitor vital signs and provide airways management during transoesophageal tests.
* Obtain and maintain competency in IV cannulation; perform IV cannulation on patients in preparation for contrast (LVO), bubble and pharmacological stress echocardiography.
* Accurately perform 12 lead electrocardiograms, non-invasive BP, O2 sats and height and weight measurements; interpret 12 lead electrocardiograms.
* Co-operate with the need for occasional but necessary overtime working to ensure that any procedure in progress can be completed safely, with time off in lieu or overtime payment as applicable.
* Maintain proficiency in echocardiography and other technical skills adopting best practice and current guidelines.
* Hold and maintain BSE/ESCVI or equivalent accreditations in echocardiography; hold and maintain ILS certification.
* Know the location of resuscitation equipment, be familiar with its operation and participate in its daily check; ensure equipment is available prior to commencement of an investigation; know how to summon the hospital resuscitation team.
* Prioritise and manage individual caseloads based on clinical urgency and service efficiency.
* Assist in the daily management of the echocardiography service, including prioritisation of inpatients and urgent outpatients, responding to clinical and report queries and scheduling patient appointments when required.
* Clean ultrasound systems, probes, accessories and associated items in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations and departmental and trust policy; identify stock needs and assist in maintaining stock levels.
* Be responsible for the safe use of medical equipment within your role; report faults or concerns to the line manager and EMBE.
* Assist in the supervision and training of other cardiac physiologists, students and junior doctors, in their area of expertise.
* Understand and participate in clinical audit; assist in research and development in the department; attend and participate in departmental and team meetings.
* Maintain all trust mandatory training and adhere to training standards for moving and handling of patients and equipment; use PPE when indicated as per trust policy.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
* BSc Clinical Physiology (or equivalent)
* BSE/EACVI Accreditation (or equivalent)
* Evidence of continued professional Development
* BLS
Desirable
* ILS
Experience Essential
* Performing and reporting transthoracic echocardiograms consummate with a Band 7 post
* Performing imaging and reporting stress echocardiograms with limited supervision
Desirable
* Providing technical assistance in the performance of transoesophageal echocardiography
* Performing IV cannulation
* Performing 12 lead ECGs
* Mentorship of trainee staff
Skills and Knowledge Essential
* Effective verbal and written communication
* Ability to organise and prioritise workloads and demonstrate initiative
* Ability to cope with heavy workload
* IT literate
Other information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and disclosure will be sought to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth - Middlesex, TW7 6AF
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