Echocardiography Lead Cardiac Physiologist
Closing date: 27 July 2026

Job summary
This role will be responsible for providing expert clinical investigations in addition to specific area management. Direct line management of the echocardiographers and the echocardiography service.

This post will primarily be based at the Heart Centre at Darent Valley Hospital. This may include cross-cover at the North Kent Community Diagnostic Centre. To work as a highly specialist practitioner across the range of Echocardiography imaging procedures performed in the Heart Centre, and to provide operational managerial support to the cardiology general manager.

To provide nationally accredited, highly specialist expertise for clinical practice, ensuring that all procedures and data produced meet the required standard and are documented in accordance with Operational Procedures/BSE national guidelines. Supporting the department to achieve BSE accreditation.

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for managing capacity and demand of the echo service, avoiding 6 week breaches whilst also ensuring a timely inpatient service.
• Able to prioritise and manage own work and that of the team.
• Able to exercise initiative when dealing with issues from own specialist area. To monitor waiting list times for echo studies, ensuring waiting times are minimised.
• To support the implementation of Trust initiatives and strategies within the caregroup.

About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Person Specification
Education and Training
Essential

• BSc in Clinical Physiology or equivalent
• BSE Accredited
• RCCP membership
• Evidence of CPD
• >3 years experience as a band 7 cardiac physiologist.

Desirable

• Experience of Stress and Trans oesophageal echocardiography
• Evidence of leadership/management training.
• Experience of physiologist led clinics.

Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Experience of managing a cardiology department or an area of cardiology.
• Ability to acquire and communicate highly complex knowledge in challenging environments.
• Knowledge and skills required to perform the diagnostic investigations required
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Excellent organisational skills
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team

Desirable

• Knowledge of PAS (Patients appointment System)
• Knowledge of Trust departmental data base.
• Familiarity of procurement systems.
• Participation in cardiac research

Experience
Essential

• Previous management experience as a healthcare professional
• Competent to perform basic cardiology / respiratory investigations

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Calm under pressure,
• Team player
• Flexible

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Cardiac Physiologist
Robert Sargent
robertsargent@nhs.net
01322428100