Sonographer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. Undertake obstetric, general and gynaecological ultrasound imaging in the provision of the ultrasound service, within the local and national guidelines including Fetal anomaly screening program.

2. Take responsibility for the care of the patient maintaining dignity, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.

3. Manipulate complex, expensive instruments ensuring safe use of equipment.

4. To work unsupervised in a specialist area with autonomy making judgements on equipment and protocol selection and patient management.

5. Prioritise workload allowing for clinical need and urgency. Provide timely, efficient and courteous provision of ultrasound services to the agreed standards of the department.

6. To work in other community ultrasound departments when required.

7. Use highly specialist knowledge to discuss, advise and accept referrals from other disciplines, and refer to other disciplines where appropriate.

8. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the data flows within departmental systems in order to enter and retrieve information and make corrections as necessary.

9. To interpret ultrasound images and record findings in writing so that other clinicians can read and act upon them. This will involve recording of obstetric and growth data in patient records and reporting general and gynaecological findings via the CRIS system.

10. Effectively communicate with all grades of staff, carers and patients. Adaptation of skills is needed to explain and carry out a variety of procedures. Some patients may be elderly, confused, claustrophobic, intoxicated, aggressive, have special needs and paediatric. Empathy, tact and persuasion skills may also be needed for patients suffering, for example, an unexpected intrauterine death. Counselling skills will be required.

11. Be proficient in controlling violence and aggression and talk down skills for when working single- handed with patients and/or relatives, training can be provided if needed.

12. Be responsible for the management of patients images and data including processing and archiving

13. Be proficient in IT skills, being able to operate computer terminals for imputing and accessing information as necessary, including various IT systems across the WSFT. Require knowledge of all departmental administration tasks to oversee and undertake as required, booking of appointments.

14. Demonstrate a good knowledge of procedures undertaken within the department in order to advise and reassure patients making enquiries regarding waiting times or preparation for examinations.

15. Be aware of and practice safe working, adjusting equipment height and position maintaining good posture to protect from musculo-skeletal disorders.

16. Adhere to all department and Trust policies and procedures at all times.

17. Ensure all relevant mandatory training is kept up to date.

18. Behave courteously and professionally at all times in line with Trust values.

19. Be responsible for completing the daily and weekly checks of the emergency crash trolley where relevant.

Leadership

20. Act as Duty Sonographer when required, ensuring the day-to-day organisation of ultrasound services and supporting colleagues as required, assisting with clinical work and vetting where required.

21. Propose changes to and be directly involved in the development of new policies and procedures where relevant.

22. Encourage cohesive working arrangements within a small unit and all other working areas, monitoring patient throughput and redistributing where necessary.

23. Carry out tasks delegated by the Service Manager as required.

24. Complete appraisals as required.

Educatian and Development

25. Attend suitable seminars and courses to maintain ContinuedProfessional Development (CPD), particularly in ultrasound, visiting specialist centres where appropriate.

26. Participate in the Trust formal appraisal program.

27. Assist with the training and clinical support of ultrasound students, including junior doctors and to facilitate their training placement.

28. Contribute to the department in achieving the Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) quality mark as required.

Clinical Governance

29. Participate in departmental/Trust audits as required.

30. Participate in clinical trials when required.

31. Participate in the departmental quality assurance procedure and process.

32. Assimilate, and work to, stringent local and national guidelines and SOPs.

STAFF CAR PARKING

Staff Car Parking on the West Suffolk Hospital Site is eligible for individuals working outside of the core hours, 07:00 18:30.

For individuals working within the core hours, the Trust offers parking off site at the Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club, which is serviced by a regular shuttle bus to and from the Hospital. Details of the bus timetable can be found in the on-line starter pack on the West Suffolk Hospital website.

This parking restriction does not apply if an individual is required to work on a weekend or if they are required to complete on call duties within their role.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• oQualified Healthcare Professional, registered with a recognised governing body e.g. HCPC or NMC.
• oRecognised post-graduate qualification in medical or clinical ultrasound (or equivalent)
• oComprehensive, up to date CPD portfolio related to advances in US imaging and management activities

Desirable

• oAdditional training/ qualification in a specific area of US scanning (for example, vascular or MSK)

Experience and knowledge

Essential

• oDemonstrable clinical and leadership experience
• oUnderstanding of the current challenges within general, obstetric and gynaecological US scanning
• oExperience working in a hospital environment that supports a wide range of complex clinical examinations
• oInterest and experience in gynaecology and obstetric ultrasound procedures
• oA good working understanding of obstetric and gynaecology scanning in the NHS.

Desirable

• oKnowledge of the Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI) process

Skills and abilities

Essential

• oGood written and verbal communication skills
• oGood organisational and leadership skills
• oAble to implement evidence- based practice
• oAble to use a wide range of IT systems effectively
• oGood manual dexterity
• oAble to work calmly under pressure
• oGood time management

Desirable

• oAwareness of all current topics and developments within the field of Ultrasound

Personal qualities

Essential

• oActs as an effective role model, demonstrating WSFT Trust values at all times
• oHigh self-awareness, understanding own emotions, strengths and limitations.
• oBe open to flexible working (7-day working 08.00 - 20.00 shifts)

Desirable

• oAbility to travel to community locations if required.

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.

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ

Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)