Healthcare Scientist Associate

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic Cardiac Rhythm Management Team. You will be responsible for managing and maintaining our Remote Monitoring service, which has a variety of manufacturers and devices enrolled, including pacemakers, implantable loop recorders, implantable defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices.

Previous cardiac experience is not necessary as full training will be provided.

You will have a keen eye for detail for auditing the service, technical know-how to help patients troubleshoot any problems when they arise and be an excellent communicator with a pro-active 'can do' attitude.

This is an opportunity for someone to make this role their own, manage their own workload and make a real impact to patient care.

• To assist and support the multidisciplinary team ensuring smooth and efficient running of daily remote monitoring clinics.
• To be the first point of contact for patients on remote monitoring and to assist with remote monitoring queries, including technical troubleshooting.
• Perform daily alert checks on the remote monitoring service, ensuring any red alerts or patients with any cardiac abnormalities are escalated as soon as possible.
• Ad-hoc distribution of remote monitoring systems to patients

throughout the week both in clinic and via email.

• Maintaining the remote monitoring databases, including scheduling patient’s downloads on the remote monitoring platform and the Trusts' electronic patient record (EPR) system.
• To demonstrate good communication skills when dealing with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team utilising sensitivity, empathy, and ability to manage conflict.
• Maintain the CRM NHS email, passing on urgent/important clinical enquiries to relevant members of the team.
• Maintain accurate lists on EPR for Remote Monitoring patients; making any changes/additions required.
• Cross site working to include the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and occasionally the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Cardiac Physiology is made up of Healthcare Scientist Associates, Cardiac Physiologists, Clinical Scientists, Arrhythmia Nurses and Specialist Device Nurses. We work together to provide the best service to our patients from across Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas.

In Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM), we provide a follow up service for patients with cardiac implanted devices, including pacemakers, implantable loop recorders, cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. These devices help with heart rhythm disorders.

We usually see our patients in person every year to run tests on their device and ensure they are working properly and to discuss patient symptoms. During the Coronavirus pandemic, we increased our remote monitoring service to allow patients to be monitored in the comfort of their own home.

Remotely, our appointments are used to monitor a patients device without them needing to attend the hospital. This is useful for the patient as we can often see any issues with their device without seeing them face-to-face and should they have symptoms, they can send us data instantly.

We're a team that works closely with our nurse and consultant colleagues and strive to give patients the best possible care.

• Be the first point of contact for remote monitoring patients with

technical and symptom queries. Triage urgency and escalate as
appropriate.

• Perform daily alert checks on the remote monitoring service, ensuring any red alerts or patients with any cardiac abnormalities are escalated as soon as possible.
• Hold and triage the CRM inpatient bleep when required, being the first point of contact for all teams across the Trust and triage according to urgency.
• Ad-hoc distribution of remote monitoring systems to patients

throughout the week both in clinic and via email.

• Working with the manufacturers to assist in troubleshooting patient issues, distribution of transmitters and audits of the service.
• Assist the Cardiac Physiologist or Device Nurse at device implantation.
• Maintaining the remote monitoring databases; scheduling patient’s downloads; managing download schedules; sending letters to patients with dates of transmissions.
• To understand and troubleshoot life threatening arrhythmias and artefacts on recording ECG’s.
• To be effective in prioritising workload.
• To keep service lead fully informed and to seek advice and support when indicated.
• To work without direct supervision.
• To maintain accurate and legible patient records.
• To perform additional tasks (as directed by cardiac physiology staff) following completion of relevant competencies/training.
• To demonstrate good communication skills when dealing with patients, relatives and members of the multidisciplinary team utilising sensitivity, empathy, and ability to manage conflict.
• To demonstrate the ability to concentrate for long periods, whilst maintaining accuracy despite frequent interruptions.
• To undertake mandatory, statutory, and local training as required by the Trust and directorate.
• To be flexible/willing to assist all areas within cardiac physiology e.g., at times of sickness or increased workload.
• Liaise with Service Lead and department rota team to ensure clinics are staffed appropriately.
• Ensure there are appropriate stock levels of patient communicators and associated remote monitoring equipment.
• Run audits for the department as and when required, i.e. Month end reports; alert checks; remote DNA’s.