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INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
POST OF:
BASE:
REF NO:
Assistant Technical Officer
University Hospital Crosshouse, Kilmarnock
T/054/15
Thank you for applying for the above post with NHS Ayrshire & Arran. This information sheet
summarises the terms and conditions related to the post.
Please note if you provide us with an email address on your application form any future
correspondence regarding this post will be emailed to you. If you do not wish to receive this
correspondence by email then please contact us as soon as possible.
A job description and person specification for the post are attached.
This post is Permanent.
The salary for the post is based on the Band 3 salary scale which is currently £16960 to
£19927per annum (pro rata for part time posts).
The hours for the post are 37.5 per week.
DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND
PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS (PVG) SCHEME
The following provides information relevant to the post you have applied for and requires your
attention and completion.
PVG MEMBERSHIP
The post you have applied for is considered to be in the category of “Regulated Work” as
defined by the above scheme and successful candidate(s) will be required to be a member of
the scheme prior to commencing employment.
Membership currently costs £59.00. The cost of membership, if you are successful in your
application, will be paid by NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
EXISTING PVG MEMBER
Applicants who are already a PVG member will require to confirm their membership and the
regulated workforce this covers, eg, Adults, Children or both. Prior to employment, NHS
Ayrshire and Arran will determine whether the current level of membership is appropriate for
the post offered. If further membership to cover another regulated workforce is required, the
conditions of membership as stated above will be applied. If however the level of current
membership is appropriate, NHS Ayrshire and Arran will seek a Scheme Record Update
(SRU) and will both pay and incur the costs associated with obtaining the update.
Further information on the scheme can be found on the Disclosure Scotland website at
www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
PVG SCHEME MEMBERSHIP MANDATE
(Please complete Sections 1+2 and return with your application)
Section 1. Personal details (* circle as applicable)
Name ____________________________
Post Reference Number:
Post Applied for: ___________________
___________
Are you currently a member of the PVG Scheme
*YES/NO
If YES, please provide
Membership Number _________________
Date of Membership _______________
Date of last Scheme Record Update (if applicable)
Member of which Regulated Workforce:
*Adult
__________________________
*Children
*Both
Section 2. Declaration
I understand if my application for this position is successful, I will require to become a member of the
scheme covering the appropriate regulated workforce.
Signed:
Name:
______________________________
______________________________
Section 3 - For office use only
Full membership required Yes/No
Update only:
Yes/No
SPN:
Date: _______________________
Post Ref no: _________________
Regulated workforce:
Adult / Children / Both
_____________________________
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Conditions of Service - The conditions of service are those laid down and amended from
time to time by the appropriate negotiating bodies e.g. NHS Staff Council/NHS Pay
Negotiating Council.
Annual Leave – The leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Annual leave entitlement
for full time staff on appointment is 202.5 hours (27 days), with 217.5 hours (29 days)
upon completion of 5 years NHS service and 247.50 hours (33 days) after 10 years NHS
service. Entitlements for part time will be pro rata.
Public Holidays – Public holiday entitlement for full time staff is 60 hours based on the 8
designated Public Holidays per annum, and on a 5 day week working 7.5 hours per day.
The 60 hours entitlement is due to all whole time staff irrespective of work pattern. For
part time staff, this will be applied on a pro rata basis and also allocated in hours.
KSF - The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and development review is about
encouraging lifelong learning for all staff. It supports an ongoing cycle of annual
development review and personal development planning. This is known as Personal
Development Review or PDR. The KSF and PDR processes are designed to support you
so that you can be fully effective in your job.
Pensions - Employees are automatically opted into the NHS (Scotland) Superannuation
Scheme. Contributions are at the rate of 5.8%.
Employees may opt out by obtaining and completing the relevant Opt Out form from the
Scottish Public Pensions Agency website.
Disabled Applicants - A disability or health problem does not preclude full consideration for
the job and applications from people with disabilities are welcome. All information will be
treated as confidential. NHS Ayrshire & Arran has been approved, by the Employment
Services Department, as an Equal Opportunities employer with a positive policy towards
employment of disabled people. NHS Ayrshire & Arran guarantees to interview all applicants
with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the post.
You will note on our application form we ask for relevant information with regards to your
disability. This is simply to ensure that we can assist you, if you are called for interview, to
have every opportunity to present your application in full. We may call you to discuss your
needs in more detail if you are selected for interview.
Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and 2004 (Section 8) - The Asylum and Immigration Act
1996 and 2004 requires employment checks to ensure that all employees are legally
employed in the United Kingdom. Candidates will be asked to provide relevant original
documents prior to an offer of employment being made. Any offer of employment will only be
made when the organisation is satisfied that the candidate is the rightful holder of the
documents and is legally eligible for employment within the United Kingdom.
Medical Examination - Any offer of employment is conditional upon a satisfactory
medical report from our Occupational Health Services. You may be offered employment
conditional on confirmation that you are medically fit for employment. A commencement
date for employment will only be agreed following this confirmation.
Policy Relating to Staff with Bloodborne Virus Infection - Candidates for posts which
involve exposure prone procedures will not be allowed to commence employment until
they have been assessed as fit to perform EPPs by Occupational Health. The preemployment screening must be completed prior to any job offer being made. Where a
candidate is not able to perform EPPs, Occupational Health will notify the appropriate
manager that the candidate is ‘fit with restrictions’ and is unable to perform EPPs. The
health status of the individual will not normally be notified to management. Where the
restrictions recommended by Occupational Health are unable to be accommodated due
to the clinical duties of any of the posts within the staff groups specified in the policy, an
offer of employment to the post will not be made.
Candidates who are not offered employment due to being deemed unfit to undertake
EPPs as an essential requirement for a post, may be offered the opportunity to apply for
another advertised vacant post and be considered with other applicants. The preemployment screening for EPP posts above do not apply to staff undertaking non-EPP
posts who could have direct contact with blood, bloodstained body fluids or patients’
tissue in the course of their work activities. These staff will be offered and strongly
advised to be immunised against Hepatitis B in line with the Immunisation Policy including
recall for boosters and further antibody checks.
References - Two satisfactory written references must be obtained prior to any offer of
employment being made. These should include current and previous employers as
requested in the job application form. This is in line with the Recruitment and Selection
Policy.
YOUR APPLICATION:
Informal Enquiries - Informal enquiries are welcomed by the Head of Clinical Physiology
at Ayr Hospital who can be contacted on 01292 617102 or 01292 610555.
Closing Date - Your completed application form should be submitted by Monday 18 May
2015 via the online application form on the SHOW website. Alternatively your completed
application form can be returned to the address below or can be e-mailed to
[email protected].
Department of O&HR Development
63A Lister Street
University Hospital Crosshouse
KILMARNOCK
Ayrshire
KA2 0BE
JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
Job Title: Assistant Technical Officer /Assistant practitioner
Responsible to Head of Clinical Physiology
Department(s): Clinical Physiology- Cardiology, Respiratory
Directorate: Medical
Operating Division: General Hospitals
Job Reference: T/054/15
No of Job Holders:4
Last Update 2003
2. JOB PURPOSE
To provide investigative diagnostic services to assess the functioning of the Cardiovascular system
within the specialities of Cardiology, Respiratory and Vascular .
3. DIMENSIONS
The service provides acute health care for the local population of Ayrshire and Arran.
The post holder covers two locations Crosshouse and Ayrshire Central hospitals
Location types include Coronary Care, Acute Medical in patients, Surgical , Pre and Post operative
assessment A&E, Theatre reception and recovery, Day surgery, Endoscopy, Paediatric in and out
patients, Neonates, ITU, High Dependency, Surgical out patients. Acute stroke and stroke
rehabilitation
Patients spectrum is from Neonates to Care of the Elderly . Patients would include the terminally ill,
high risk infectious, learning disabilities both paediatric and adult, Pre ECT, Acute respiratory disease,
drug and alcohol dependent.
Within the remit of the post holder the following investigations are carried out:
50,000 Electrocardiograms (ECG)
700 Spirometry
1,000 Ambulatory 24 hour ECG recordings
900 Ambulatory 24 hour BP recordings
500 Peripheral Dopplers
The post holder undertakes these procedures independently and has autonomy for the delivery of these
services to ward and clinic areas.
The post holder works in a variety of specialised areas on a 1:1 basis with patients, Premature Baby
unit, CCU, ITU.
Post holder is available by emergency page at weekends and in the early evenings for A&E and the
acute wards as sole provider of the ECG service. This may include attending a Cardiac Arrest,
Cardioversion to monitor effects of drug therapy and advise clinicians of changes in heart rhythm/rate
Post holder will draw up and administer therapeutic drugs to inform diagnosis
Example: Administer Salbutamol during spirometry to demonstrate reversible lung defects
Post holder prepares and attaches 24 hour BP and ECG monitoring, gives information and instructions
to patients on the safe usage of the equipment. Briefs the patient on recording symptoms in the diary
provided.
Post holder removes recorders at the end of the 24 hours and discusses with the patient/carer if any
symptoms have been recorded and noted. Post holder will add additional information to diary if
appropriate.
Post holder downloads recorded data onto PC analyser for analysis and interpretation by the
Physiologist .
Post Holder undertakes arterial assessments on in and out patients to agreed protocols
Post holder is responsible for recognising common faults in the equipment used and the effect this will
have on any clinical data recorded.
Post holder rectifies faults where possible or removes equipment from service and notifies Clinical
engineering that repair is required
Post holder is responsible for the safe use of equipment within their remit and for cleaning/sterilising
equipment on a daily basis or when used in infective situations.
Post holder acts in accordance with regulations laid down for the protection of patients and staff in
regard to Barrier/Reverse barrier nursing
Post holder monitors stock levels on departmental machines and on ward machines
Post holder maintains manual records within the departmental administration
4. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION- see attached
Head of
Clinical
Physiology
Crosshouse
Operational
Manager
Ayr
Operational
Manager
Highly
Specialist
Physiologists
Specialist
Physiologists
Specialist
Physiologists
Physiologists
Associate/
Assistant
Practitioners
Associate/
Assistant
Practitioners
5. ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
The department provides an investigative diagnostic service within the Acute hospital setting for patients
with known or suspected Cardiac, Vascular, Respiratory or Neurophysiological disease. The department
provides an Open Access service for GPs
Within the department the post holder works across a range of investigations and in diverse settings.
The procedures undertaken are instrumental in diagnosing the level of cardiac or respiratory disease in a
patient and to optimise their treatment or management. For some patients this may be over a period of
time by monitoring the progress or deterioration of the disease pattern
During periods of high patient activity post holder has to respond to increased workload to ensure rapid
patient diagnosis, treatment and subsequent prompt discharge on appropriate therapy.
Post holder works across all specialities within the acute hospital and with all health care professional
involved in the care of patients.
The department is instrumental in delivering the managed Clinical Networks for Coronary Heart Disease
and Stroke (MCN in CHD &Stroke)
6. KEY RESULT AREAS
Deliver High quality ECG service within the General Hospitals Division
Accept accountability for clinical practice within guidelines and policies
Provide a diagnostic Spirometry Service
Contribute to the Diagnostic Ambulatory ECG and BP service
Provide doppler assessment within vascular wards and clinics
Clinical – 95%
Other - 5%
7a. EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY
ECG machines- for recording electrical activity in the heart to diagnose Cardiac disease
24 Hour Ambulatory ECG recorders to diagnose irregular heart rhythm
Cardiocall- to record cardiac symptoms at irregular intervals
24 Hour Ambulatory BP recorders to measure Blood Pressure over sustained periods
Spirometer- to measure non complex lung function volumes
Nebuliser- for drug administration
Sphygmomanometer for measuring Blood pressure
Defibrillator- To restore normal heart rate and rhythm after Cardiac Arrest
Hand held Doppler
7b. SYSTEMS
All machines are PC based and have VDUs
Variety of data bases for different investigations to input , amend ,retrieve clinical data
Manual Record keeping
8. ASSIGNMENT AND REVIEW OF WORK
Referrals come directly to the post holder from Consultants, Senior and junior medical staff on a daily
basis and workload is prioritised according to clinical need. Work is undertaken autonomously by the
post holder within departmental guidelines. Only if a complex non routine problem occurred would the
post holder refer to a more Senior member of staff.
Work is referred by request card, page, open access mail on a daily basis.
The investigation requested is indicated on the referral letter/card ,however the post holder will review
the request and request additional clinical details if necessary or confirm with medical staff that the
appropriate investigation has been requested and amend as appropriate.
The post holder is often working in isolation eg at Ayrshire Central and requires to act in the clinical
interests of the patient at all times by alerting medical staff to significant abnormalities in the
investigation.
As lone provider of the weekend and early evening emergency service the post holder is competent in
recognising and analysing and alerting clinicians to take the appropriate remedial action significant
pathological changes in ECG recording
9. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS
Analysing ECGs and informing medical staff of significant/life threatening changes
Evaluate spirometry results and administer drug via nebuliser when appropriate
Repeating investigations due to electrode displacement /equipment malfunction
Amending procedure due to patient disability
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB
Maintaining High standards through high volume workload .
Communicating effectively with patients in order to achieve the best investigation outcome possible- this
is also one of the most rewarding parts of the job
11. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Post holder communicates with patients throughout the working day. Explaining the investigation,
reassuring patients on the process. Giving instructions on what to do and what not to do whilst wearing
Ambulatory recorders. Persuading patients to undertake the investigation when dealing with confused
aggressive or inebriated patients.
Communication with medical staff to verify clinical details /investigation request or when alerting
medical staff to changes in ECG recordings
Post holder encourages patients to participate fully in the investigation to the best of their ability
Patients frequently require persuasion to continue with an investigation or require re assurance that they
are performing appropriately
Patients are often reluctant/unwilling to undergo some investigations, the post holder has to use good
communication skills to establish a relationship of trust and empathy with the patient to achieve a
successful outcome.
The post holder communicates with a variety of health care professionals when arranging timings and
conditions of investigation.
Post holder will communicate with colleagues throughout the day advising them of investigation results,
informing them of any steps taken as an outcome investigations in case this may have a bearing on other
investigations carried out by other staff members.
Post holder will explain/advise nursing staff of investigation results/procedure for training / education
purposes
12. PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
Physical skills/effort
The post holder provides a service to many disparate areas within the organisation eg A&E., Theatre reception
and recovery, Out patient clinics, acute medical and surgical wards all other wards, Psychiatric wards and care
of the elderly.
Post holder will spend the majority of the day walking /pushing electro medical equipment between the wards,
department, A&E and clinics.
Running to Cardiac Arrests anywhere in the hospital
Repetitive movements in inputting data to equipment as machines are now PC based- 10 sessions
Making fine movements with no margin for error
Example: placing multiple electrodes within anatomically defined positions
Pushing patients in wheelchairs, assisting patients from wheelchairs to couches, manoeuvring patients into
position for investigation many of whom have impaired or restricted mobility. Assisting patients to
dress/undress
Pushing machines around the hospital, working in confined ward areas
Mental Effort/skills
Checking that correct referral has been received and that procedure has been carried out on correct patient
Inputting correct clinical data on high volume workload , incorrect data will impact on computer analysis
Checking that patients has followed appointment instructions
Maintaining high levels of concentration on high volume physiological data for prolonged periods
Example: Undertaking Acute MI screening in acute medical wards, analysing each one for pathological
changes from previous recording and alerting medical staff where appropriate
Emotional Effort /skills
Working with acutely ill patients day after day
Working with long term patients reaching the end stage of disease
Dealing with traumatic situations
Example: Cardiac Arrest in A&E
13. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
Entry Qualifications:
Essential: 3 Standard Grades
Desirable 1 of 3 should be in a Science subject.
After training the post holder will be qualified to S / NVQ level 3 through the Certificate in
Electrocardiography from the professional body
Post holder requires specific knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and respiratory
systems
Knowledge of general anatomy and physiology
Knowledge and understanding of the affects of acquired or congenital disease on the diagnostic
investigations undertaken by the post holder
Post holder has specific knowledge and understanding of ECG interpretation and the effects of drugs and
other therapies upon that interpretation.
Post holder technical and theoretical knowledge is underpinned through lectures and assessment of
competence
Trained to UK Resuscitation Council Immediate Life Support Standard
Post holder sets up and calibrates equipment according to national guidelines and protocols
Knowledge and recognition of common equipment faults and the impact on clinical data
Knowledge and understanding appropriate steps /protocols to rectify faults
Knowledge and understanding of manual handling techniques
Knowledge and understanding of COSHH regulations
Knowledge and understanding of appropriate aseptic techniques/infection control
NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Person Specification
Post Title
Post Reference Number
Assistant Technical Officer
T/054/15
Selection Factors
(Person
Specification)
QUALIFICATIONS &
TRAINING
EXPERIENCE
Criteria
Essential
3 Standard grades or equivalent
Desirable
Science Standard Grade or equivalent
Computer literate
Working with people in a caring environment
Essential
Desirable
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
Understanding of the care environment
Ability to work with health care professionals at all levels
Good communication skills
Desirable
COMPETENCIES &
SKILLS
Essential
Desirable
PERSONAL
CHARACTERISTICS
AND OTHER
Essential
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Desirable
Car owner/driver