Respiratory physiologists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with lung disorders, such as asthma or emphysema. They use a variety of equipment and techniques to investigate respiratory problems.

The Work

You could be:

• investigating a range of symptoms and problems, such as breathing difficulties, abnormal chest x-rays, sleep disorders or chest pains
• carrying out procedures such as pulmonary function tests (checking lung size, efficiency and possible obstructions), exercise testing (to check lung function and oxygen saturation) and bronchial challenge testing (to check for asthma)
• setting up and monitoring sleep disorder diagnostic testing, for patients whose breathing is obstructed when sleeping
• performing special sweat tests (lontophoresis) for diagnosing cystic fibrosis
• using specialised and complex equipment, such as bronchodilators and spirometers
• recording, analysing and interpreting data from tests
• supplying reports to the medical staff who make decisions about treatment
• helping patients with long term treatment, for example administering oxygen or medication
• making sure that all equipment is maintained and calibrated (set up correctly).

Pay

Respiratory physiologists who work for the NHS generally start on Band 5, £22,440 to £29,034 a year. Senior respiratory physiologists are paid on Band 6, £26,830 to £35,933 a year.

With further experience this rises to Band 7, £32,013 to £42,205 a year. Experienced respiratory physiologists can earn over £40,000 in private healthcare establishments.

The current pay scales are from April 2017.

Conditions

• You work in the respiratory unit of a hospital, in the outpatient clinics, wards or operating theatre.
• Working hours are normally regular, but you may have to work some weekends and evenings, nights (for sleep clinics) or be on call for emergencies.
• You might sometimes wear protective clothing, for instance when in an operating theatre.
• There might be some lifting of heavy equipment.
• You might travel between hospitals or clinics.

Getting In

• You need a degree in clinical physiology. You need 3-4 Highers for entry – check with individual institutions for exact requirements.
• Usually you train in a hospital while studying through day or block release for the degree.
• There is a list of accredited courses on the website of the Registered Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP).
• Glasgow Caledonian University offer an RCCP-accredited part time BSc degree in Clinical Physiology, in partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College.
• You require 3-4 Highers at BBC or BCCC. Employment in an NHS Clinical Physiology department is also an entry requirement for this degree.
• Both trainee and qualified posts are advertised in local press and the NHS jobs websites.
• You would require a satisfactory PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check to show you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2018

2475

2.2 %

RISE

2023

2530

  United Kingdom

2018

34766

2.2 %

RISE

2023

35538

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• interested in anatomy and physiology
• good at maths and human biology
• accurate and precise
• good at analysing information
• responsible and decisive
• a good team worker
• able to deal with difficult or distressing situations
• able to use technical equipment.

You should have:

• good hand-to-eye co-ordination and manual dexterity
• good practical skills for using technical equipment
• good communication skills
• an empathetic approach when working with patients
• excellent concentration.

Training

• The degree programme involves block release while employed as a practitioner-level trainee with the NHS. This is usually 2 days a week (term time) academic contact and the rest of the time in post.
• The programme lasts 4 years.
• Trainees work with senior staff to gain experience and record progress in a logbook.
• They can join the Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology (ARTP) as student members and upgrade membership when they graduate.
• The RCCP runs a voluntary register for respiratory physiologists. It is recommended that you do register. Check the RCCP website for up to date information.

Getting On

• Qualified respiratory physiologists can move on to supervisory or managerial posts.
• You can study a postgraduate qualification, after which you might move into research or a more senior post.
• Joining a professional body such as the British Thoracic Society or ARTP may be useful, especially for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.