Uhwah Senior Respiratory Physiologist

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Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Respiratory Physiologist, Senior will:

Clinical/Professional

• Operate within the scope of practice of the Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Science (IICMS) and in accordance with relevant legislation and local guidelines.
• Ensure that professional standards are maintained in relation to confidentiality and ethics.
• Engage in modernisation and implement change according to best international practice.
• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service in their assigned area.
• Carry out daily duties of the Respiratory Lab including organising appointments, managing queries, compiling reports and record keeping, history taking and patient education. Interpretation and triage of referral request.
• Participate in patient care i.e. participating in procedures, all aspects of patient safety, care and support.
• Liaise with department administration to ensure seamless organisational service management.
• Maintain adequate stock and consumable stock required for service activity, review and order in a timely fashion.
• Performance of standard Pulmonary Function tests as per referral requests.

Ø Spirometry & Reversibility.

Ø Diffusion capacity

Ø Lung volumes

Ø Lung Volume by Body Plethysmography

Ø Tests of respiratory muscle function as deemed by the Physician including SNIP, MIP and

Ø MEP

Ø FENO

Ø Broncho provocation challenges

Ø Skin allergy tests.

Ø Sleep Studies & reports

• Report and highlighting abnormal or inconsistent results.
• CPAP set up
• Support the Consultant Sleep Clinics
• Carry out the routing duties of the respiratory lab, including overseeing appointments, managing queries, providing reports and maintaining records.
• Provide a high standard of safe practice for patient care.
• Participate in quality control programs to ensure accurate and reproducible results.
• Maintain and monitor department quality assurance protocols.
• Participate in regular audits as part of the multidisciplinary team in the Sleep/Pulmonary Department.
• Carry out daily maintenance, calibration and cleaning of equipment, sterilising and disinfecting all equipment according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Planning/ scheduling equipment servicing and maintenance with supplier.
• Ensure the correct/safe handling and storage of hazardous materials e.g. special gas mixtures, chemicals, etc.
• Infection control management, ensure all efforts are made to prevent contamination of equipment, take all special precautions required to minimise the risk to patients using the services. Ensure additional measures are undertaken where patients are at increased risk or immunocompromised.
• Participate in clinical research activity where relevant.
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as appropriate.

Education and Training

• Participate in mandatory training programmes.
• Participate in continuing professional development including in-service training, attending and presenting at conferences/ courses relevant to practice, contributing to research etc.
• Update knowledge and training accordingly as medical procedures change and developments are introduced.
• Engage in support with peer Respiratory Physiologists and participate in performance review.
• Ensure newly qualified staff have adequate induction and clinical supervision.
• Manage, participate and play a role in the practice education of students.
• Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

Quality, Risk Management, Health & Safety

• Implement policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Promote a safe working environment in accordance with health and safety legislation.
• Adhere to department policies in relation to the care and safety of any equipment supplied for the fulfilment of duty.
• Actively participate in risk management issues, adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.
• Document appropriately and report any near misses, hazards and accidents and bring them to the attention of the relevant person(s).
• Report any adverse incidents in accordance with organisational guidelines.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Management

• In collaboration with the Chief Respiratory Physiologist/Line Manager, develop and implement service / business plans, quality initiatives, audits etc. and report on outcomes.
• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of service; review and allocate resources in collaboration with relevant others.
• Ensure that staff in the department arrange and carry out duties in a timely manner, and in line with local policy guidelines.
• Promote quality by reviewing and evaluating service regularly, identifying changing needs and opportunities to improve services, in collaboration with the Chief RespiratoryPhysiologist/Line Manager and relevant others.
• Promote good working practice and uniformity of standards of best practice.
• Promote good team working, and a culture that values diversity.
• Supervise staff, prioritising and allocating work and promoting positive staff morale and team working in conjunction with the Chief Respiratory Physiologist or line manager.
• Liaise with the Chief Respiratory Physiologist/Line manager regarding the needs, interests and views of staff.
• Participate in the management of stock and equipment in conjunction with the service manager
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences as appropriate.
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements, GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act, and render reports and other information / statistics as required.
• Engage in IT developments as they apply to service users and service administration
• Keep up to date with developments within the organisation and the Irish Health Service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.