Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. 

Job Title: Specialist Sleep Physiologist

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Fixed Term Contract End Date: April 2027

Purpose for Fixed Term: Maternity / Shared Parental / adoption Leave Backfill 

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team in the Adult Sleep Team at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). Our sleep service is looking for a Specialist Sleep Physiologist (Band 7) to join the team. This is a parental leave cover, offered as fixed-term (4 months) and part-time (22.5h). As a service we accept referrals for sleep-disordered breathing, parasomnias, circadian rhythm and movement disorders, and work closely with other specialist areas (such as NIV and neurology services), to offer a multidisciplinary team approach to our patients. 

Working for our organisation

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. 

 We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. 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 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

 We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Sleep Physiology Team and Consultants in delivering an efficient service to our patients. You will carry out and report on complex and non-complex sleep studies such as:
•    Overnight Oximetry
•    Cardiorespiratory Sleep Studies
•    Polysomnography
•    MSLT/MWT
•    Actigraphy
•    Capillary Blood Gases

You will offer continuous support, advice and follow up to patients on long term CPAP/ASV therapy. The candidate will chair our MDT meetings, triage referrals and discuss results with patients, draw therapy plans and produce clinical letters to referers as required. The candidate will deputise for the Lead Sleep Physiologist and support with the daily management of the service and team, line-managing staff as required.  The candidate will play an active role in the teaching and training of staff and other trainees within the service. 

The successful candidate will have experience in performing and interpreting complex and non-complex sleep studies. Applicants will hold a BSc in Clinical Physiology or equivalent with relevant clinical experience in sleep physiology sciences.  Candidates will either be accredited sleep physiologists (by ESRS or RPSGT) or willing to work towards it, and may already be professionally registered (ACHS or equivalent), actively seeking registration or be eligible for. 

The successful applicant will have the ability to work flexibly, be proactive and enjoy working as part of a team. The candidate will also work collaboratively and co-operatively with other colleagues on a day-to-day basis, to meet patient and service needs. A keen eye for detail and accuracy is essential.