Apprentice Healthcare Scientist Neurophysiology

The department of clinical neurophysiology is based on two sites, LGI and St Jamess and provides an extensive range of routine and highly specialised neurophysiology diagnostic procedures for patients of all ages from a range of specialties. This is an apprentice training post where the post holder is required to work towards and gain qualification, experience and knowledge in Clinical Neurophysiology whilst undertaking the role of Apprentice Clinical Physiologist. The post holder will be required to undertake training on the Healthcare Science Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship offered by the University of Western England (UWE) in Bristol. This will be a 3 year fixed term position taught mainly via distance learning but with three residential block weeks per year held at the UWE campus.

The post-holder will be responsible for performing a range of investigations under a graded supervision program which will be dependent on the apprentices progress throughout the 3 years. The majority of the post holders time is spent carrying out clinical work, with practical and theoretical tutorials alongside protected time for self-directed learning. The post holder will receive a salary under the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Annex 21 (Arrangements for pay and banding of trainees). The post holder performs all routine investigations on patients carried out by the department.

The post-holder also carries out some investigations of a more advanced non-routine nature and assists more senior physiologists with specialist investigations. The post holder is expected to work closely and effectively with other physiologists, clinical staff and clerical staff within the department to ensure the delivery of a high-quality service. The post holder interprets results and provides factual reports on investigations carried out. The post holder participates in CPD and works toward developing more specialist neurophysiological competencies.

The post holder undertakes clinical supervision for trainees. The post holder participates in the training of trainees and other professionals. The post-holder participates in audit, research and development. The post holder works as part of a team, of typically 7 physiologists.

The department is responsible for providing a comprehensive clinical neurophysiology diagnostic service to patients of all ages from a wide range of specialities suffering from a wide variety of medical disorders. The service is provided across the trust, to GPs and other regional hospitals. As part of this team the post-holder is responsible for performing a range of investigations. The majority of the post holders time is spent carrying out clinical work.

The remaining time is spent carrying out a variety of other duties, such as ordering of stock consumables. The post-holder participates in the supervision and training of trainees and teaching of other professionals. Main Duties and Responsibilities: Clinical Performs and interprets a range of neurophysiological investigations. These are performed on patients of all ages within the neurophysiology department, and in all ward areas, including intensive care units and neonatal units and high dependency units.

Investigations may be carried out at any other hospital sites within the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. The physiologist should be able to perform: Routine investigations without supervision; EEG routine EEG portable EEG with sleep deprivation+/- sleep EEG during the administration of drugs/alternative activation procedures Basic NCS (ie/ CTS/ULN) Basic VER Assist with EMG Assist with Magnetic stimulation, cortical stimulation and intraoperative EMG Assist with/Perform specialised Investigations with supervision Ambulatory EEG Long term Video Telemetry WADA MSLT Extensive NCS Perform ERG, SSEP and intraoperative SSEP Record test results and inputs these results into computerised system for the majority of investigations and records observations of the patients clinical state. Provide factual reports on basic neurophysiological investigations. Participate with research and development programmes.

Participate in the emergency on call neurophysiology service. Ensure careful and safe use of expensive complex equipment. Responsible for reporting equipment faults and taking appropriate action. Participate in audit.

Work within established policies and protocols. Work within the trusts policies and protocols. Work with the physiologists within the department to facilitate investigation of any complaint regarding the service. Comment on proposed changes to procedures.

Undertake some administrative duties. These include booking patient appointment, reception duties, organising transport for patients and the ability to manage the departmental filing system (paper and computerised) Involved with the archiving of patient records (paper and computerised) Responsible for stock control including ordering of stock. Education, Training and Development. Supervise trainee staff.

Participate in the teaching and training of trainees and other professionals. Ensure personal compliance with regards to mandatory, professional, and personal development. It is anticipated that the post holder agrees, shortly after appointment, a career progression pathway to develop more advanced neurophysiology competencies to enhance professional development and to ensure progression in terms of employment