Respiratory Technician

We are looking for a proactive, dynamic, self-motivated Respiratory Technician with experience in respiratory care. The successful applicant will support the running of the Community Respiratory Service being especially involved in provision of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service.

This will involve administration and organisation tasks to ensure smooth running of the Respiratory Services alongside the Physiotherapists and Nurses. Ideally you will have previous experience of delivering pulmonary rehabilitation programs along physiotherapists.

The team you would be joining are highly motivated, receptive to change and dedicated to providing a high standard of care.

Working within a Respiratory Multi-disciplinary Team to promote and support the running of the FHFT Community Respiratory Service.

The aims of the service are to promote respiratory patient independence and improved self-management. This will include support, education and often facilitation of behaviour change through therapy.

The post holder will have a wide-ranging role, bridging supervised and non-supervised clinical input (patient contact) with administration and organisation to ensure smooth running of the Respiratory Services alongside the Physiotherapists and Nurses. These services include Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Ambulatory Oxygen Assessments.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the whole team in the provision of a patient centred service, in an efficient and cost-effective way. This will involve working shifts to ultimately cover the service from 9am to 5 pm during weekdays.

The FHFT Community Respiratory Team has been established in April 2020 following the merger of many services under Frimley Health and Care organisation.

The service provides the highest quality respiratory care across NE Hampshire, Farnham and Surrey Heath, delivering seamless integrated respiratory care for patients with Asthma, COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease, Bronchiectasis, and now for those suffering with Long COVID. Working closely with other regional experts, you will work both independently and as part of the supportive multi-disciplinary team to provide care that is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation.

• Assist the Respiratory Physiotherapists and Nurses in the provision of respiratory care to patients.
• Independently and under supervision carry out clinical assessments in clinics, community venues and in patients’ homes. This will include exercise testing, assistance to progression of exercise sessions.
• To carry out clinical tasks, when competencies have been completed, such as assessment of blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturations as well as clinical exercise testing. The post holder will possess interpretative skills resulting in safely exercising patients or referring to other clinicians as appropriate will be essential.
• To be aware of safe practise and the need for onward referral, particularly when carrying out exercise testing and exercise programmes.
• The post holder will need to have a good awareness of common Respiratory conditions (and their related symptoms) and have excellent feedback and communication skills with the wider MDT regarding these.
• Be an essential part of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Ambulatory Oxygen clinics to assist the specialist Physiotherapists and Nurses in core clinical assessments such as exercise testing, patient education regarding the correct use and risks associated with home oxygen therapy.
• Within specific guidelines and following training, the post holder will gain knowledge of the implications of patients on oxygen (Ambulatory and Long Term) and how the equipment works. This will enable the post holder to take responsibility for a clinical caseload working within codes of practice and professional guidelines. This includes documentation in patient’s notes.
• To be responsible for the safe use of equipment, adhering to the Trust medical device policy. This includes competency and accuracy to use equipment by you, other healthcare professionals, carers and patients.
• To deliver patient education sessions at Pulmonary Rehabilitation to both patients and relatives.
• To motivate patients to exercise and address barriers to compliance.
• To promote smoking cessation and refer on as needed.
• To be aware of and adhere to Trust and local policies and procedures.