Echocardiographer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Technical Duties

Perform and interpret routine cardiac investigations.

Perform specialised diagnostic investigations within invasive and non-invasive service.

Perform specialist advanced Echocardiography, including portable scans, provide highly specialist interpretation and clinical diagnosis, advising Clinicians as appropriate.

To assist Consultant Cardiologist in routine and complex procedures. Eg TOE, pericardiocentesis, bubble contrast and stress echo studies.

To assist and perform in 3D and TDI examinations as the service develops.

Respond and assist as appropriate in the event of cardiac/life threatening emergencies.

Training, Teaching and Research Responsibilities

Regular participation with MDT, cardiology research, performing clinical trials, audit and equipment testing.

Involvement with the training of junior team and other staff members.

Support in the training of internal and external students pursuing a career in Cardiology.

Commitment to continual professional development through self-directed learning as well as relevant courses and qualifications.

Develop areas of interest within the department.

Participate in the Trust appraisal process and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

Care for Patients and/or Service Users

Ensure all equipment is maintained and calibrated to provide accurate results and patient safety at all times, taking appropriate action to rectify any faults.

Interact with both patients and staff in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

Ensure that all Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Actively maintain a safe and clean working environment.

Work independently and as part of a team supporting patients, colleagues and other professionals in the delivery of care.

Every employee has a duty of care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that statutory and Trust regulations are complied with.

Planning and Organisation

Good planning and organisational skills of own and clinics daily work schedules, ensuring correct staff, equipment and stock control of consumables.

Communication

Good written and verbal communication skills with awareness of handling sensitive information.

Effective communication with the team in the department and all levels of personnel.

Effective communication with patients were there may be barriers to understanding.

General

Work in accordance with clinical governance, best evidence-based practice and national guidelines to meet targets and Trust strategy.

Be aware of continual risks and safe practices required through exposure to handling of body fluid/chemicals/radiation etc. and take appropriate action where necessary.

Be aware of the risk to patients and staff and maintain high standards of infection control practices in line with Trust policy.

Be aware of the risks involved and the safe processes required with the movement and handling of patients and equipment. Including the risks to self during periods when repetitive actions are required and take precautions to operate safe practices.

Be dextrous and co-ordinated in handling and manipulating delicate specialised equipment and accurate electrode placement.

Store/retrieve information for clinicians using the relevant software whilst retaining patient confidentiality.

Undertake department clerical duties.

Be prepared to participate in flexible working hours to accommodate changing trends in health care provision.

Comply with and work in accordance with Trust and Department policies and procedures.

To participate in appraisal and work to achieve agreed objectives.

To participate with the implementation of local policies and SOPs within the department.

To check and re-order stock as and when required.

Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as a result of changing technology, clinical practices or expansion of services, as designated by the manager.

This job description is subject to review at any time in consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Appropriate Science Degree (or equivalent)
• ILS (minimum)
• BSE adult accreditation

Experience

Essential

• High level of specialist knowledge in areas of noninvasive cardiology
• Knowledge across all aspects of Cardiology.
• Advanced broad base of theoretical and practical specialist knowledge in cardiology
• Proficient in teaching other grades of staff in all aspects of technical cardiology
• Proven experience in planning and organisation of staff training, meetings and conferences, and, if required, work based assessor sessions
• Proficiency to assist as Lead role in Clinical Physiologist led exercising
• Able to lead the department in the absence of the Manager or Deputy
• Assistance in project management

Desirable

• Experience in Pericardiocentseis, Tdi, Tvi stress echo and 3D echo

Skills

Essential

• To interpret and make judgements on all tests which may alter a patients treatment or management as an Independent Practitioner
• Ability to motivate and supervise staff.
• Ability to make judgements on patients welfare and compare a range of options which may include addition investigations, discontinuation of a test or admittance to hospital
• Ability to write clear test reports as an independent practitioner for routine and complex procedures
• To review and make judgements on test results that have been carried out by other members of staff
• Ability to provide a range of complex facts, analysis and interpretation of all areas within the cardiology discipline
• To use advanced analytical and judgemental skills with regards to national and local policies
• Advanced skills in the provision of complex facts, analyses and interpretation
• Ability to prioritise all patient investigations
• Competence in preparation, calibration, and analysis of patients for procedures within the department
• Competently address issues raised by investigations
• Awareness of when to escalate adverse findings to Cardiology outreach in accordance with departmental protocol.
• Adaptable to varying working environments and conditions
• Demonstration of leadership and negotiation skills with patients, carers, wards staff and other professions allied to medicine
• Good interpersonal and communication skills at all levels in person and on the telephone
• To prepare and tabulate data for presentation using Microsoft Excel and other relevant programmes/packages to the department on a monthly basis, if required
• Excellent word processing and IT skills
• Excellent planning, organisational and negotiation skills

Desirable

• Evidence of involvement in recent research and development.

Special Requirements

Essential

• Must be able to show flexibility, if required, in working hours
• Able to cross site work

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

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Stratford Hospital / Warwick Hospital

Arden Street / Lakin Road

Stratford Upon Avon / Warwick

CV37 6NX

Employer's website

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