Assistant Respiratory Physiologist

With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.

Chaired By Ingrid Barker And Led By Maria Kane As Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Aims To Transform The Way Healthcare Is Delivered Locally With a Clear Focus On Making a Difference For What We Call Our Four Ps

• Better outcomes for our Patients
• More opportunities for our People
• Fairer more consistent care for our Population
• Best Value for Public Purse

Our Vision For Five Years From Now

• Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
• We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
• More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
• Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
• Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
• We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
• Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
• We will contribute to system financial balance

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Interpersonal and communication skills

• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, carers, relatives and multidisciplinary team members, both face-to-face and via telephone or electronic communication.
• Explain respiratory physiology tests in a clear, reassuring and understandable manner, adapting communication to meet the needs of individual patients.
• Obtain patient consent for diagnostic investigations.
• Provide patients with clear instructions during respiratory investigations to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Demonstrate empathy and sensitivity when supporting patients who may be anxious, distressed, breathless, frail, or have communication difficulties.
• Overcome barriers to communication, including hearing impairment, language differences, cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, speech difficulties, or severe respiratory symptoms, by adapting communication methods and seeking support when required.
• Escalate concerns regarding patient wellbeing, understanding or compliance.

Professional knowledge and expertise

• GCSE (or equivalent) Maths, English & Science Grade C/4 or above.
• Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare Science
• Experience of working in a healthcare environment in a patient facing role.
• Excellent communication skills
• Able to prioritise and act on own initiative
• Self-motivated and effective when working under pressure
• Creating and recording accurate records of daily workload
• Flexible and reliable
• Team player
• Organised
• Confident and able to deal with challenging situations.
• Willing to learn hospital administration systems and departmental computer systems

Problem-solving and decision-making

• Identify routine issues encountered during patient testing and take appropriate action within departmental guidelines.
• Recognise when test results appear inconsistent or when patients are unable to complete investigations and escalate appropriately.
• Use judgement to prioritise patient comfort and safety during investigations, seeking support when necessary.
• Assist in troubleshooting equipment and software issues and report faults promptly.
• Identify clinical situations where immediate support is required.

Planning and coordination

• Prepare equipment, consumables and clinical areas for diagnostic testing.
• Assist in managing clinic lists and ensuring investigations are completed within agreed timescales.
• Adapt daily activities in response to changes in service demand, urgent requests or unexpected operational issues.

Practical And Technical Skills

• Perform routine respiratory diagnostic procedures, including spirometry and 6 minute walk tests following training, competency assessment and departmental protocols.
• Prepare, calibrate and perform daily quality control checks on respiratory diagnostic equipment.
• Demonstrate accurate manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination when attaching monitoring devices, fitting mouthpieces, filters, clips and other diagnostic equipment.
• Accurately enter patient information and test data into electronic systems.
• Maintain concentration and precision when conducting measurements to ensure high-quality diagnostic data.
• Use keyboard and computer systems routinely for data entry, appointment management and report processing.

Patient care and support

• Assist in the delivery of safe, high-quality respiratory diagnostic services under the supervision of registered Respiratory Physiologists.
• Support patients throughout respiratory investigations, ensuring dignity, comfort, privacy and safety are maintained.
• Monitor patients during testing and identify signs of distress, discomfort or deterioration, escalating concerns immediately.
• Provide reassurance and encouragement to support patient participation and obtain optimal test performance.
• Ensure accurate recording of patient information, investigations undertaken and any relevant observations.
• Adhere to safeguarding procedures and raise concerns where appropriate.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policies.

Service development and improvement

• Follow departmental, organisational and national policies, procedures and guidelines relevant to respiratory physiology services.
• Contribute to service improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance patient experience, efficiency and quality.
• Participate in audits, quality assurance programmes and accreditation activities as directed.
• Provide feedback to senior staff regarding service delivery issues and potential improvements.
• Support implementation of agreed departmental changes and new working practices.

Finance and resource management

• Use equipment, consumables and departmental resources responsibly.
• Assist with stock monitoring and replenishment of consumables.
• Ensure equipment is cleaned, stored securely and maintained in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Report equipment faults, damage or shortages promptly.
• Contribute to the prevention of waste through appropriate management of clinical supplies and resources.

Leadership and team management

• Work as an effective member of the respiratory physiology team, supporting colleagues and contributing positively to team objectives.
• Assist in the induction and support of new staff, students and trainees as delegated.
• Share knowledge and best practice with colleagues within own area of competence.
• Participate in regular supervision, appraisal and development discussions.
• Take responsibility for maintaining personal competency and undertaking continuing professional development activities.

Information and data management

• Accurately enter, update and retrieve patient information using electronic patient record systems and departmental databases.
• Maintain accurate records of investigations, equipment checks and quality assurance activities.
• Ensure compliance with data protection legislation, confidentiality requirements and information governance standards.
• Generate and process routine clinical and administrative documentation as required.
• Report and document incidents, near misses and equipment faults using approved systems.

Innovation and continuous improvement

• Participate in departmental audit, quality monitoring and service evaluation activities.
• Support collection and recording of data for audit and service improvement projects.
• Contribute suggestions for improving clinical processes, patient pathways and departmental efficiency.
• Participate in testing and evaluation