Chief Cardiac Clinical Physiologist/Scientist (Invasive/Rhythm)

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Chief Cardiac Clinical Physiologist/Scientist (Invasive/Rhythm)

The closing date is 16 July 2026

We are seeking to recruit a number of individuals to join our dynamic and forward-thinking organisation as part of the Cardiac Physiology Team across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

As a senior member of the Team you must be committed to continually improving your professional skills and supporting the development of the Team and Service. Knowledge of all invasive and non-invasive Cardiac Investigations is essential to this role, as well as possessing a strong leadership ability.

You should be able to independently undertake routine and complex diagnostic investigations, interventions and assessments, and provide specialist support, guidance and interpretation in your chosen sub‑specialty area of Cardiac Rhythm Management and Invasive services. Participation in an out‑of‑hours on‑call rota is also required.

The Department offers an extensive range of cardiac investigations and procedures across all sub‑specialty areas, delivered by a large and compassionate team of healthcare science assistants/associate, practitioners, physiologists and clinical scientists.

We actively participate in training and development across all areas and currently have a number of apprentices, PTP, ETP and STP trainees.

Our CRM service continues to expand with brady and CRT‑P device implantation as well as Physiologist‑led ILR implants. The CRM team also hosts physiologist‑led brady and high‑voltage follow‑up clinics, including the use of home monitoring.

Main duties of the job

• BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) or equivalent and AHCS / RCCP registration. You should hold BHRS / IBHRE accreditation and have substantial experience at a senior level while being able to demonstrate competence in a wide range of procedures in your chosen sub‑specialty area.
• MSc Clinical Science (CVRS) with HCPC registration. You should hold BHRS / IBHRE accreditation and substantial post‑qualification experience.
• You will also be expected to offer senior operational leadership to the Team and support others as team lead and mentor.

Duties of the role would include the ability to undertake clinical activity such as (subject to area of specialism):

• Cath Lab invasive monitoring for angiography and PCI, and adjunctive modalities.
• ILR/brady device/complex device implants is essential for all qualified physiologists / scientists.
• CRM follow‑up clinics and remote monitoring including complex and high‑voltage follow‑up and implant.
• ECG, ETT and ambulatory monitoring.

Other non‑clinical duties would include:

• Leadership and mentorship, with the ability to deputise for Senior Chief Physiologist / Service Manager.
• Responsibility for own learning and development.
• Leads and participates in audit and research activities.
• Leads on delivering training and education across the immediate Team and wider Cardiology staff.

About us

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high‑quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits – Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Coordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Job responsibilities

To work as an independent practitioner providing an efficient and effective specialist clinical service within the field of Cardiology ensuring high standards of patient care.

Please note: this description may be supplemented by additional duties as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc Clinical Physiology (or equivalent experience) and at least substantial experience as a Senior Clinical Physiologist. Or completion of STP programme.
• Specialist knowledge in Cardiac Pacing or Echocardiography.
• BHRS / IBHRE accreditation.
• Knowledge in all aspects of non‑invasive and invasive procedures within the field of Cardiac Physiology.
• Leadership skills to assist Senior Chief Clinical Physiologist / Service Manager in the day‑to‑day planning and running of the Service.
• Registration with AHCS, RCCP, HCPC.
• ALS.

Experience

• Practical experience appropriate to role and familiarity with a range of all cardiac investigations within physiology.
• Relevant substantial experience in all procedures at a level of Senior Clinical Physiologist.
• Experience of invasive Cardiac Clinical Physiology sufficient to be accepted onto the RCCP / AHCS / HCPC register.
• Experience in the implantation and follow‑up of implanted devices, extensive knowledge of function and optimisation of implanted devices.
• Operational management and team leadership.
• Prior experience / participation in on‑call activity.

Skills & Knowledge

• Able to undertake complex eye‑hand coordination tasks.
• Highly‑developed coordination skills with good dexterity and hand‑eye coordination and skills required for the performance of fine analytical techniques.
• IT literate.
• Has an understanding of the role of a Cardiac Physiologist / Clinical Scientist in healthcare and disease and its application in a healthcare setting.
• A committed, in‑depth interest in Cardiac Rhythm Management and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment.
• Knowledge acquired through study and experience to formulate appropriate advice and judgements, including clinical judgements involving facts or situations that impact on patients.
• Have an understanding of quality control and management assurance in a science or work‑based context.
• Ability to develop proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques currently in use where they are training (ability to follow Standard Operating Procedures accurately).
• Able to identify problems associated with scientific equipment, inappropriate testing, incompatible results and to investigate these, plan corrective action confirming appropriateness with senior colleagues and follow up.
• Ability to analyse and assess scientific, technical and medical literature.
• Ability to use, maintain and troubleshoot scientific equipment.
• Good IT skills and knowledge of common computing packages for word processing, spreadsheets, presentation packages and databases.
• Ability to analyse complex information.
• Ability to work autonomously co‑ordinate and prioritise.

Physical Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both writing and speaking in English language.
• Explain analytical, scientific and clinical aspects of the work to a variety of people including scientific colleagues, clinical professionals, service managers and patients and to listen to their needs.
• Make formal presentations to groups of colleagues.
• Good active listening skills to build rapport with the listener to encourage an open discussion.
• Self‑aware and flexible enough to adopt a range of evaluative or empathising listening styles according to the needs of the listener and the situation.
• Ability to work autonomously in the planning and execution of their own work and under the guidance of their Departmental Supervisors.
• Flexibility to acquire the skills to organise, plan and monitor the workload of others.
• Ability to work under pressure (emotional resilience and ability to prioritise and plan work).
• Under guidance develops good interpretative skills in the formulation of advice to multi‑disciplinary team members on diagnosis and appropriate treatment of patients.
• Good personal organisational skills.
• Effective team worker, willing to adopt a role working in collaboration with others.
• Good understanding of ethics and professional practice, the NHS constitution and the importance of patient‑centred care.
• Ability to support patients (or their carers) including those with a range of acute or chronic clinical conditions and disabilities in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Ability to travel to locations off‑site.

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust