Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated individual to join the Ipswich Clinical Respiratory Physiology team as an Assistant Practitioner on a fixed term contract until 1st November 2027.

As a department we provide a comprehensive sleep and respiratory diagnostic service to patients of all ages, referred from a wide range of specialities from across the region. We are looking for a motivated individual with an interest in respiratory physiology, to support the running of the Lung Function Unit. This opportunity is open to individuals who are looking to begin their journey in this field and individuals with relevant experience.

You will be trained to perform spirometry, set up and issue home sleep study devices, as well as other various tasks to support the service. It is expected that you will complete the ARTP Spirometry Certification (if appropriate) and be fully competent within 6 to 9 months of starting. This is a fixed term post with the possibility of extension.

Main duties of the job

• Simple respiratory/sleep procedures in the Lung Function Unit and on the wards, in accordance with the professional body guidelines/standards (ARTP), European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society criteria and departmental SOPs. (Please find full list of procedures within the Job Description attached).
• Appropriate daily equipment calibration/validations utilising both mechanical and biological control procedures, in line with professional body and equipment manufacturer recommendations.
• Triage of CPAP patient queries and fulfilment of patient CPAP consumable requests.
• General clerical administrative duties in the Lung Function Unit

About us
We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here - Apply through our website

Job responsibilities
For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of scientific method from school/college/previous employment
• Previous NHS experience or working with patients/relatives in a healthcare environment

Desirable

• Experience of working in respiratory and/or sleep medicine
• Experience performing spirometry

Qualifications
Essential

• GCSE grade 4 or above (new GCSE grades) or C or above (old GCSE grades) in Maths/English and Science or equivalent
• NVQ Level III in science/healthcare-related subject or equivalent level/experience.

Desirable

• Attendance or completion of applicable sleep/respiratory courses/training

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of/understanding of basic sleep and lung function tests (e.g. Spirometry and sleep studies)
• IT literate
• Excellent communications skills both verbal and written.
• Dexterity and hand-eye coordination to facilitate equipment use during dynamic tests/manoeuvres

Desirable

• Understanding of common terminology used in respiratory physiology
• Awareness of respiratory and sleep disorders (e.g. asthma/COPD and sleep apnoea)

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.