Senior Assistant Technical Officer

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

Job overview

Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week

An opportunity has arisen within the Cardio, Respiratory and Vascular Department (CRV) at The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for, a 12 month fixed term Senior Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) with working hours of 37.5 hours per week to support the provision of our 5 day service.

This will include working in both an Outpatient and Inpatient setting which, is rotated through the week to ensure workload is distributed fairly and both Outpatient and Inpatient service provision is maintained.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to assist in providing an effective and efficient Cardio-Respiratory & Vascular Diagnostic service for both Inpatients and Outpatients working at The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and in late 2022, Ellesmere Port Hospital as part of the Community Diagnostic Centre.

The successful applicant will participate in the Cardiac and Respiratory ambulatory diagnostics service both in the CRV department and across inpatient wards. In addition to this, assist senior staff in routine and more complex investigations within the department, and to provide training to staff from other disciplines in ECG recording and interpretation.

Working for our organisation

The Trust’s services are provided from three locations:

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility.
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population.

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire.

The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description for further details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service. Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs will be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application.

Person specification

Qualifications

• GCSE English Language and Maths or Equivalent
• NVQ level 3 or equivalent / qualification / experience in healthcare role

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous work / life experience requiring involvement with the public.
• Be competent in performing ECG and ambulatory hook up
• At least 6 months experience of a basic ATO.

• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate.
• Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients/relatives and others of varying levels of understanding.
• Ability to work as part of a multi- disciplinary team in addition to working independently
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting.
• Able to deal with any issues with tact and diplomacy

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

If the role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 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.

Enhanced DBS check applications that are submitted with omitted or incorrect information will be withdrawn. In the event errors are identified on your original application, a new application will need to be submitted and you will be required to pay the DBS application fee again.

The cost of the DBS application will be deducted from your salary over the first three months of employment.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

For details regarding salary requirements of a skilled worker, please refer to the Skilled Worker Visa Immigration Salary List.

The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet these immigration rules

For further details on skilled worker sponsorship, please consult the UK Home Office guidance: Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK. Additionally, the New guidance for overseas applicants | NHS Employers provides helpful information on the recruitment process for candidates applying for roles in the UK.

Overseas candidates are responsible for their travel expenses.

Adult dependent's (over 18 years old) will also be subject to this requirement.