We are seeking a highly skilled practitioner to join the Critical Care Technologist (CCT) team providing technical / clinical support to the expanding Critical Care service at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust. The critical Care Department consists of a 31 bed General ICU, 16 bed Paediatric ICU, 16 bed Cardiac ICU and a 13 bed Neuro ICU. This post is open to applications from those holding qualifications in Critical Care Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Critical Care Scientists or clinical Critical Care background with relevant post graduation experience.

You will be joining an established and diverse team, in a forward thinking, proactive and developing service within the regional major trauma centre. There are excellent opportunities for professional development and continuing education. Previous experience in Theatre, Critical Care or Emergency Department environment is essential.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

About us

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will be involved in a broad range of Technical / Clinical activities including:

Clinical Practice:

Support the technical environment for critically ill patients.

Provide clinical/technical support to nursing staff and doctors.

Prioritise own workload depending on the urgency of the situation.

Support emergency procedures Resuscitation, chest opening, difficult airway management and vascular access.

To take and process cerebral spinal fluid from external ventricular drainage systems.

Provide advanced airway support as a member of the Trauma team.

Assist medical staff in the following procedures:

Intracranial pressure monitoring/external ventricular drainage systems

Pulmonary artery catheterisation

Lumbar puncture

Chest drain insertion

Ultrasound (NICE Guidelines)

Set up, connect to patient and monitor renal replacement therapy, for adults and children within the critical care environment.

Provide plasmapheresis therapy.

Insertion of arterial/venous cannula in adult patients as directed by duty consultant and as per policy.

Performs bronchoscopy procedures on Adult ICU to support anaesthetists with percutaneous tracheostomy procedures as per policy.

Equipment:

Ensure all technical equipment is used for its intended purpose. Set up and monitored in line with manufacturers instructions.

Provide advice and support to the clinical staff in the use and troubleshooting of such equipment. Repair, recalibrate or replace as necessary.Advise on the suitability of equipment for specific uses.

Participate in the selection process and implementation of new equipment/technology into clinical use, liaising with the multidisciplinary team.

Responsible for the set-up and monitoring of specialist items of equipment. i.e. Cerebral function & cardiac output monitors, bronchoscopy equipment, nitric oxide and anaesthetic delivery systems. Responsible for the stock levels and availability of specialist gases.

Responsible for setting up and calibration of oscillator ventilation.

Set up intracranial pressure monitoring and 24hr trace recording systems.Assist in application of halo/jacket appliances.To be competent in the use of the pathology computer system, to obtain daily results as required.

Troubleshooting complex life support equipment, analysing electronic records produced by such equipment and recommending a course of action to resolve problem.

Liaise with service engineers when equipment is due for servicing/faulty. Providing specific detailed information if a fault has occurred.

Analyse post fault reports and interpret results with a view to amend specific education plan for that piece of equipment.

The team are an integral part of the Paediatric, General, Neuro and Cardiac intensive care units and are specialist in transferring critically ill patients who require inter / intra hospital transport.

The Technologists are part of the multidisciplinary Trauma team who are ready to deliver lifesaving care to any patient requiring the services of the regions major trauma unit. We are also a member of the hospitals Paediatric cardiac arrest team.

Southamptons PICU is linked to the Southampton Oxford Retrieval Service (SORT) who retrieves critically ill children from 27 District General Hospitals in the South of England. The Technologist team are an integral part of SORT and our duties include: blue light ambulance driving and helicopter or fixed wing flight retrievals to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Wight.Southampton Oxford Retrieval Team (SORT)

What were looking for:

An enthusiastic and forward thinking individual eager to develop their skill set.

The service we provide is 24 hours a day 7 days a week and the applicant must be prepared to work 12.5 hour shifts.

The successful applicant must have a full (manual) UK driving licence with a maximum of 3 penalty points.

An informal visit is recommended.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Must have one of the following: MSc Critical Care Science. CGLI 752 or NVQ level 3 DipHe Operating Department Practice. BSc Clinical Physiology (speciality Critical Care). NMC Qualification. Other relevant Healthcare Science/Physiological Measurement at BSc level or equivalent
• Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence with no more than 3 penalty points
• Professional or voluntary registration with HCPC, SCCT or NMC.

Desirable

• Diploma or higher level in related critical care/operating department practice appropriate scientific field of study related to professional background.
• Critical Care Course if applying from a Nursing background.
• ALS / APLS / EPLS or ILS certificate

Experience

Essential

• Experience in Critical Care environment
• Continuous professional development
• Experience of teaching and developing staff
• Understanding of responsibility for professional accountability

Desirable

• Broad range of post qualification experience
• Expanded role skills to include cannulation and venesection

Skills

Essential

• Able to work independently using own initiative
• Computer literate with a working knowledge of word, excel and access
• Communicates effectively in both spoken and written English
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Able to use initiative, solve problems and prioritise
• Able to work in a changing environment actively and promote planned change

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills
• Proven ability to undertake and follow through with special projects

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO14 2AA

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

188-CLN0270