Chief I Cardiac Physiologist - UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford

Chief I Cardiac Physiologist - UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital

Job type: Permanent

Overview of role The post holder will be expected to work as a lead cardiac physiologist for the Cardiac Catheterisation laboratory service at UPMC Whitfield Hospital. They will have responsibility and operational management of the service elements pertaining to Cardiac Physiologists within the Cardiac Catheterisation laboratory. They will participate at leadership level in providing a high quality and efficient service to the service users of the Cardiology service at UPMC Whitfield Hospital. They will deputise for the Chief II in their absence.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities The Cardiology Department provides a comprehensive range of invasive and non invasive diagnostic examinations at both inpatient and outpatient level. The Cardiology Department Team is dedicated to the highest standard of healthcare provision.

• ECG recording/interpretation and highlighting any abnormal findings.
• 24/72 Hour Ambulatory ECG monitoring and analysis.
• 24 ABP monitoring and analysis.
• Cardiac Physiologist managed EST and reporting.
• ICD/CRT/PPM/CSP implant, follow up, troubleshooting and reporting.
• Implant, remote monitoring and reporting of Cardiac implantable loop recorders.
• Transthoracic Echocardiography (scanning and reporting).
• Transoesophageal Echocardiography.
• Cardiac Catheterisation to include angiography and PCI procedures, right heart catheterisation, IVUS, FFR/IFR and IABP.
• DC Cardioversions.
• Electrophysiology Service that includes EP studies, PVI, mapping and ablation to include FARAPULSE PFA (Pulsed Field Ablation) technology.

There is a strong, dynamic, and enthusiastic multidisciplinary team in the Cardiology Department at UPMC Whitfield Hospital. The candidate will be given every opportunity to excel in all cardiac investigations. There is a strong emphasis on learning and CPD; study/examinations in all areas are strongly encouraged/facilitated.

Professional / Clinical / Technical

• Perform the following procedures:
  • Resting ECG.
  • Exercise treadmill testing, both medical and physiologist led.
  • Fit and analyse of ambulatory ECG and BP recordings.
  • Pacemaker and ICD/CRT follow up.
  • Transthoracic echocardiography and report on same.
  • Assist with transoesophageal echocardiography.
  • Independently assist with diagnostic and interventional procedures in Cath. Lab to include electrophysiology studies.
  • Assist with pacemaker and implantable defibrillator procedures.
  • Report procedure findings and highlighting abnormal findings.
• Be expected to take part in any on call rota / change in rostered hours e.g. 8 8 pm shift roster that may be or become part of their department hours.
• Be responsible for the maintenance of standards of practice of self and staff appointed to clinical / designated areas.
• Be responsible for managing own caseload and for assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of cardiac diagnostic services for service users according to service standards and best practice.
• Supervise staff, prioritise and allocate work and promote positive staff morale and team working in conjunction with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist.
• Foster and maintain professional working relationships with colleagues, front line managers and other healthcare personnel in the team.
• Ensure the quality of documentation of reports is in accordance with local service and professional standards.
• Communicate verbally and/or in writing results, data interpretation and reports to the relevant team and consultants in accordance with service policy.
• Participate as part of a multi disciplinary team as appropriate, communicating and working in co operation with other team members.
• Ensure that staff arrange and carry out duties in a timely manner, and in line with local policy guidelines.
• Be responsible for adhering to existing standards and protocols and for the development and maintenance of standards / strategies for quality improvement and outcome measurement.
• Ensure that professional standards are maintained in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation.
• Operate within the scope of practice and in accordance with local guidelines.
• Carry out duties, adhering to all policies, procedures and guidelines and legislation as directed by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist.
• Observe and maintain strict confidentiality of patient records and staff information.

Health & Safety

• Be aware of and implement agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice by adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
• Actively participate in risk management issues, identify risks and take responsibility for corrective actions.
• Report any adverse incidents in accordance with organisational guidelines.
• Ensure the safety of self and others and the maintenance of the environments and equipment used in the workplace in accordance with the Health and Safety and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and local policies and procedures.
• Be familiar with Hospital and Department Disaster plans and their implementation.
• Ensure that heightened protective care is taken in any patient case with communicable disease.
• Adhere at all times to Fire Safety Regulations and assist with fire tests; check access to fire escapes if required.
• Report accidents and incidents; participate in the investigation and remedial action.
• Take appropriate timely action to manage any risks, incidents or near misses within the Cardiac Investigation's Unitas per the hospital's risk management processes.
• Be responsible for the safe and competent use of all equipment and appliances both by clients and staff under their supervision.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority 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 protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Participate in any relevant investigation as required.

Educational

• 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. as agreed by the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist.
• Manage, participate and play a key role in the practice education of student cardiac physiologists. Take part in teaching / training / supervision of other students and attend practice educator courses as appropriate.

Managerial

• Promote and facilitate the preparation and implementation of service plans, operational plans, practices and procedures which are quality driven, patient focused and which help to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services and raise and maintain standards and reduce costs.
• Implement HR processes and procedures in accordance with hospital policies.
• Understand and promote the hospital's commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• Ensure that the highest possible standards of treatment and care are provided to the patient and that the quality of patient services is a prime concern of all staff members.
• Ensure the development of cardiac investigations/services and policies in conjunction with the Chief II Cardiac Physiologist and Cardiology Users Group.
• Ensure accurate patient records and departmental statistics are kept, using computerised systems as appropriate and have these statistics and records available as required.
• Be responsible for supervision, training and appraisal of staff with the aim of maintaining good staff relations, improving staff development and the retention of staff.
• Have responsibility for reporting failures of equipment, liaising closely with the hospital Biomedical team, facilitating team and external company service departments.
• Demonstrate the use of highly advanced communication skills and maintain a high level of professionalism when potentially distressing or upsetting situations arise, manage any issues of conflict promptly and effectively to support and promote effective working.
• Maintain and work to set standards of care and promote the team to adhere with all policies including infection control, manual handling, health and safety, uniform policy & other UPMC Whitfield Hospital policies as appropriate.
• Motivate team members on a day to day basis by agreeing goals and objectives.
• Lead and co ordinate cardiac physiologists within this area. Ensure that tasks are allocated according to the relevant priority and apply maximum delegation.
• Be responsible for the coordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice.
• Lead the development and evaluation of relevant protocols, guidelines and policies based on current evidence/research and facilitate/support other staff to do the same.

Administrative

• Promote good working practice and uniformity of standards of best practice.
• Oversee the upkeep of accurate records in line with best clinical governance, organisational requirements and the Freedom of Information Act, and render reports and other information / statistics as required.
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