Important Job Application Information
Thank you for your interest in NHS Tayside vacancies
Please see below Job Description/Person Specification and General Conditions of Service
Your Application Form must be completed in full. Please note copies of Curriculum
Vitae, Qualifications and Course Certificates will not be accepted at this stage.
Please return your completed Application Form to recruitment.tayside@nhs.net (quoting
the vacancy reference number in the subject box) or to the postal address given on the
General Conditions of Service.
All completed applications are held in Human Resources until the closing date. After
the closing date a panel will meet to prepare an interview shortlist. Once this decision
has been made, all shortlisted applicants will be emailed to invite them to attend for
interview. It is important that you check your emails regularly.
This process takes approximately 6 weeks. Therefore, if you have not been contacted
regarding interview within 6 weeks of the closing date, your application has been
unsuccessful and you will receive no further correspondence from Human Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:Find out more about living and working in Tayside at:
www.dundeecity.gov.uk
www.angus.gov.uk
www.pkc.gov.uk
NHS TAYSIDE – AGENDA FOR CHANGE
JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title
Assistant
Clinical
Physiologist
Department(s)/Location
Vascular Laboratory
Number of job holders
1
JOB PURPOSE
The Vascular Laboratory provides diagnostic specialist vascular imaging assessments and a range
of other specialist non invasive vascular assessments across Tayside and Fife. It operates satellite
clinics in Stracathro, PRI and clinics in Kirkcaldy (Victoria Hospital). Locally these satellite services
cover the vascular outpatient clinics in addition to its main base. It also provides diagnostic vascular
cover for theatre, A/E and emergency ward admissions.
It provides a wide range of specialist ultrasound investigations and a wide range of other specialist
non invasive vascular assessments (NIVA). It produces clinically relevant and accurate diagnostic
reports for each patient.
The purpose of this post is
To support the accredited vascular physiologists within the vascular service, undertaking
chaperoning, administrative and housekeeping duties as allocated.
To undertake some routine clinical physiological tests and procedures on patients, to ensure that
test results are reliable and to report to the senior vascular physiologists
ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Clinical Specialist (vascular)
Clinical Physiologist N/W
AFC Band 7 (2 posts)
Clinical physiologists
1 Band 6, 1 Band 5
Assistant Clinical Physiologist
AFC Band 3 (this post)
Clinical Physiologist VHK
AFC Band 7
SCOPE AND RANGE
This post is based within the Vascular Laboratory as part of medical physics within Access
Directorate
The post holder will support the both the diagnostic and administrative element of the vascular
laboratory service as well as participating with minimal supervision in the routine clinical
physiological tests performed on both in-patients and outpatients.
The vascular laboratory carries out approximately 11,500 tests per annum
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
ADMINISTRATION
Responsibilities for policy and service development implementation:
Follows policies in own role which are determined by others, no responsibility for service
development, but may be required to comment on policies, procedures or possible
developments.
Responsibilities for financial and physical resources:
Responsible for the safe use of expensive equipment eg Doppler equipment used for
Ankle Brachial Pressure Measurements ( ABPI)
Responsibilities for Human Resources:
Provides advice, or demonstrates own activities or workplace routine to new or less
experienced employees in own work area.
Responsibilities for information resources:
Records personally generated information (e.g. clinical observations, test results, case
reports).
Induction standards and code of conduct
Your performance must comply with the national “Mandatory Induction Standards for
Healthcare Support Workers in Scotland” 2009; and with the Code of Conduct for
Healthcare Support Workers.
Research & Development (10%):
Responsibilities for research and development:
Undertakes surveys or audits, with supervision, as necessary to own work; may
occasionally participate in research and development, clinical trials or equipment
testing.
Patient Care (70%):
Responsibilities for patient care:
Provides clinical technical services to patients (e.g. undertaking routine standard
diagnostic tests on patients
Responsible for supporting the clinical physiologists throughout complex diagnostic
tests, providing chaperoning etc
Assisting the clinical physiologists by preparing both the patient and the examination
room prior to assessments
The post holder must support the provision of a wide range of specialist Non Invasive
Assessments (NIVA) for Tayside and Fife to include:
Photoplethysmography
Digital cooling
Ankle Brachial Pressure Indices
Exercise testing
Segmental pressures
Toe / finger pressures
Ultrasound scanning
To provide a high quality, safe and supportive environment for the patients, meeting the
identified physical and psychosocial needs.
Planning & Organisational
Responsible for managing their own daily workload within the vascular laboratory
Administration
Responsibilities for information resources:
The postholder is fully conversant with the vascular laboratory database
Responsible for writing their own factual report for routine tests
Assists with organising routine follow up on post operative patients.
Professional
Ensuring that all patients’ investigations are carried out sensitively, and professionally,
meeting the requirements of the Trust, accreditation bodies ( SVT, BMUS or UKAS), SIGN
guidelines and locally agreed protocols
Educational
Ensure that on-going personal development and professional education / research needs are
identified and met and that up-to-date personal portfolio of CPD points available for review
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
The postholder;
must have good communication skills with patients, relatives and carers, as the postholder
provides and receives highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, where persuasive,
motivational, negotiating, training, empathic or reassurance skills are required.
The postholder must be able to maintain an effective working relationship with staff from all
sectors of the Medical Physics department, Trust and University.
Internal Communication links:
Medical Physics
Medical Staff
Nursing Staff
Radiology staff
Health and safety
Risk management
External Communication links:
Patients, carers and relatives
Community Health Practitioners
General practitioners
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
GENERAL
Effective Verbal and written communication skills
Experience of interacting with general public.
Organisational and initiative skills.
Previous experience in relevant occupation e.g. Health / Care / Voluntary sector.
.
Good team worker

Ability to clearly and accurately convey relevant clinical information to appropriate medical
staff.
 Understanding of hospital and primary care environment, and fully conversant with local
and national guidelines regarding patient confidentiality
Understanding of commonly used medical terminology as applied to respiratory assessments
Knowledge
Good standard of general education (5 GCSE or equivalent, including Human Biology), NVQ or
equivalent in relevant subject.
The postholder will be expected to gain formal accreditation through in house certification in
ABPIs and photoplethysmography.
Sound knowledge of vascular anatomy and pathology and aetiology of vascular disease.
 Interpretation of a wide range of vascular laboratory tests
Good knowledge of safety issues including safe use of ultrasound, basic electrical safety,
data protection, infection control, CPR and manual handling/lifting techniques.
Conversant in current documentation regarding moving and handling and CPR
Training
Previous experience of working in a clinical environment would be an advantage.
The postholder will be expected to have gained knowledge to at least the level of ONC once
training is completed. There will be significant in–house training and an appraisal system to
monitor progress.
The postholder should be willing to participate in further training as required
The postholder must comply with the national “Mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare
Support Workers in Scotland” 2009; and with the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support
Workers
Experience
The post holder after a minimum of 2 years supervised training will be expected to be able to
fulfil the following duties
Ankle-brachial pressure indices.
Exercise Testing
Digital cooling
Photo plethysmography
Segmental pressures
Clinical skills
Excellent patient handling skills
Good communication skills
Ability to work under minimal supervision
Ability to take a relevant patient history and apply the information to follow the appropriate
protocol.
Ability to respond calmly and competently, but with vital speed, in the event of patient
problems occurring during an investigation, notably how to perform CPR and to know when to
refer the patient for an immediate clinical opinion.
Ability to work to agreed protocols and procedures.
Ability to work under regular pressure.
A knowledge of relative and absolute contraindications to investigations
Must maintain confidentiality and dignity of the patient at all times
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Responsible for the safe use of the equipment within the vascular all of which require specific
training
Responsible for input of basic reports in the vascular laboratory database
Equipment used:
Huntleigh Doppler assist
Parkes continuous wave Doppler
Sphygmomanometer
Moving and handling equipment
Trolleys
Wheelchairs
Glidesheets
Electronic/ manual beds
Software used:
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 2000 (incl. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access etc.)
Microsoft Windows XP (incl. see above)
Vascular Databasae
Systems:
Maintenance of accurate patient records and reports
Vascular laboratory administration system
General hospital reports system ( Central Vision)
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT
All records created in the course of the business of NHS Tayside are corporate records and are
public records under the terms of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937. This includes email
messages and other electronic records. It is your responsibility to ensure that you keep appropriate
records of your work in NHS Tayside and manage those records in keeping with the NHS Tayside
Records Management Policy and with any guidance produced by NHS Tayside specific to your
employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical effort:
The majority of vascular patient are physically limited (amputation, stroke, post operative etc)
and require significant physical effort to transfer from trolleys and wheelchairs.
Significant assistance for patients with dressing and undressing e.g. stroke patients
Removing and re applying wound dressings
Supporting and assisting patient on treadmill tests
Cleaning of machines and examination couches/ changing linen on couches
Frequent pushing trolleys and wheelchairs
Frequent moving ultrasound equipment
Constant standing for periods of up to 30 minutes for the duration of some assessments.
Mental effort:
Assessments require intense concentration for short periods in order to analyse and interpret
the audible signals.
Able to utilise complex computer software required for these assessments
Emotional effort:
Communication with verbally /physically abusive patients
Communication of complex issues with the multidisciplinary team
Communication with all staff and supporting their needs
Personal / interpersonal stressors
Working conditions:
Significant exposure to body fluids and odours (weeping wounds, gangrenous toes /feet,
ulcers etc)
Risk of infection or cross infection
Excessive heat in clinical areas due to heat output from equipment.
Excessive cold room temperatures for certain studies (130C) for periods of up 40minutes. –
digital cooling and CRPS studies.
Ergonomics
DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Assistant physiologists are responsible for carrying out tasks, including basic tests on
patients, in a safe and effective manner. Decisions may include:
Prioritising own workload from delegated tasks
Giving advice to patients / carers within level of competency.
How to approach and communicate with patient and carers.
When to seek support or guidance from a qualified member of staff
What to feedback to other staff
Takes full accountability/responsibility for own actions/decisions.
Works with minimal supervision and is responsible for management of their own patient
workload within each day.
Issues a factual report for each patient.
Is able to alter patient appointment times to adjust the workload.
Analytical and judgement skills required for the post
Examples of facts and situations that the post holder is expected to understand and act on include the
following:
Using the verbal history and notes on the request form to decide on the appropriate
assessment and knowing when to consult with senior physiologists if information or
clarification is required.
Using measurements to calculate ratios
Assisting with prioritising the workload, especially of inpatients.
Patient related
Assessment must be made of patient status and suitability for a particular investigation,
including assessing patient safety during treadmill testing.
Judging the need to remove clothing and bandaging in order that adequate and necessary
information may be obtained.
Determining when an assessment should be stopped, based on observable clinical
indicators.
MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
Balancing the competing demands of a variety of clinical physiologists.
Adhering to a set timetable when working across several clinical areas.
Working with different staff with varying degrees of experience
Undertaking a physical, mentally and emotionally demanding job, whilst at the same time taking
care to safeguard their own health and safety as well as that of colleagues and patients.
Take responsibility for health and safety within their working area, and for moving and handling
of patients when required
Take responsibility for infection control within their working area
Dealing with heavy workloads on a daily basis due to large clinical demand or unusual disease
profiles
To maintain good communication channels between members of the multidisciplinary team
Addressing the equality and diversity needs of patients and staff.
Person Specification
POST REF NO:
P/HC/120
JOB TITLE/BAND:
Assistant Clinical Physiologist - Band 3
LOCATION:
Vascular Laboratory, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
HOURS:
37.5 hours per week
CRITERIA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EXPERIENCE:
Experience in working with minimal
supervision
Experience working in a
hospital clinical / diagnostic
environment
Ability to prioritise own workload
Familiar with high through put
of patients
QUALIFICATIONS:
(Training; Research;
Publications)
5 GCSE or equivalent in a relevant
area
KNOWLEDGE &
SKILLS:
Willingness to participate in further
relevant training
Accuracy and attention to detail
Excellent communication skills
Understanding of the importance of
data protection and patient
confidentiality
PERSONAL
QUALITIES:
Ability to follow Standard Operating
procedures (SOP)
Ability to identify and address own
learning needs
Ability to recognise own limitations and
when to ask for help.
Take responsibility for own workload
OTHER:
(eg travel across
Tayside)
Flexibility in working hours to suit the
demands of the service
Maintain up to date CPD
Knowledge of infection
control and implications in
vascular assessments
Understanding of current
health and safety NHS
guidelines, including moving
and handling
Respect diversity and
equality
Use professional judgement
in the interest of the patients
and public
General Conditions of Service
POST REF NO:
P/HC/120
JOB TITLE/GRADE:
Assistant Clinical Physiologist – Band 3
LOCATION:
Vascular Laboratory, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
Conditions of Service
Remuneration
The terms and conditions of service for this post are those
determined by the NHS Staff Council.
The current salary scale for the post is £16,271 to £19,268
per annum (pro rata for part-time staff). Placing on the scale
on appointment is normally at the minimum but may be
higher subject to verification of previous relevant service.
*Pay points under £21,000 will receive an additional non-
consolidated non-pensionable sum to raise basic pay by a
total of £250 pro rata for part-time staff. This addition will be
divided into 12 equal monthly payments, will cease on 31
March 2014 and will be noted separately on payslips
Hours of Duty
Superannuation
Salary is paid Monthly by Bank Credit Transfer.
The hours of the post are 37.5 per week.
Start and finish times will be determined by the needs of the
service.
Membership of the NHS Superannuation Scheme is not
compulsory but is open to all staff between the ages of 16
and 70 (65 in some instances).
The contributions paid are a percentage of superannuable
pay, which is essentially basic pay excluding, for example,
overtime or travelling expenses.
Contribution rates with effect from 01.04.13 are as follows:
Annual Pensionable Pay
(Full-time equivalent)
Up to £15,278
£15,279 to £21,175
£21,176 to £26,557
£26,558 to £48,982
£48,983 to £69,931
£69,932 to £110,273
£110,274 and over
Annual Leave
Contribution
5%
5.3%
6.8%
9.0%
11.3%
12.3%
13.3%
Contributions are subject to tax relief and reduced National
Insurance contributions.
NHS Tayside also makes a
substantial contribution towards scheme benefits – currently
around 14% of basic pay.
On appointment = 27 days (pro rata for part-time Staff) or 5.4
weeks per year.
After 5 years aggregated service = 29 days (pro rata for parttime staff) or 5.8 weeks per year
After 10 years aggregated service = 33 days (pro rata for
part-time staff) or 6.6 weeks per year
References
Occupational Health
Clearance
Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974
(Exclusions and
Exceptions) (Scotland)
Order 2003
Public Holidays = 8 days (pro rata for part-time staff) or 1.6
weeks per year
All offers of appointment are subject to receipt of two
satisfactory references
All offers of appointment to new entrants to the National
Health Service are subject to a medical examination. Medical
examinations are arranged and undertaken by the
Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Service (OHSAS).
All current or spent criminal convictions, cautions, warnings
or any case pending must be disclosed prior to commencing
in employment as detailed on the application form.
Please note that having a conviction will not automatically
debar you from obtaining employment with NHS Tayside.
Careful consideration will be given to the relevance of the
offence to the particular post in question. However, if you are
appointed, and it is found that you did not reveal a previous
conviction your employment may be terminated.
Disclosure Scotland
This post is subject to a Standard check by Disclosure
Scotland as it involves access to children and/or vulnerable
adults. This will contain details of any convictions on record
whether spent or unspent.
Immigration, Asylum
It is a criminal offence for an employer to employ anyone who
and Nationality Act 2006 does not have permission to live or work in the UK.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce specific
original documentation at interview e.g. Passport, or full birth
certificate together with an official document giving the
applicants permanent National Insurance Number and name
issued by a Government Agency or a previous employer, as
well as photocopies of these documents.
Professional Registration/ New entrants to NHS Tayside will be required to achieve the
Induction Standards & Code
mandatory Induction Standards for Healthcare Support
of Conduct
Workers (HCSWs) in Scotland and comply with the Code of
Conduct for HCSWs throughout your employment.
Smoking Policy
Applications
Internal candidates will be required to comply with the Code
of Conduct for HCSWs
Smoking is prohibited within NHS premises and grounds.
Completed forms should be returned to:
recruitment.tayside@nhs.net quoting the job reference in
the subject line
or Human Resources, Management Offices, Perth Royal
Infirmary, Taymount Terrace, Perth PH1 1NX
By closing date of Wednesday, 27 November 2013