Ultrasound Imaging Care Assistant Team Leader

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Be team leader for the ICAs and maintain a regular presence in the department, balancing the complex demands of the service whilst taking into account individual opinion and communicate effectively with tact and empathy.

1. To act as a point of contact for the Ultrasound Department and Imaging Service Line Management in relation to ICA staff performance, regularly review the ICA role and workforce plans in line with current and future service demands and developments.

1. Proactively manage the ICA team in line with department and Trust policy in respect to sickness, unplanned absence, annual leave and additional duties.

1. To have good understanding of ultrasound service needs and support service with ICAs across weekdays and weekends, including extended working days and evenings, within Derriford Hospital and peripheral sites where appropriate. This requires an understanding of skills mix within ICA team, particularly when there is staff sickness and absence to maintain adequate service provision.

1. Produce staff roster ensuring the rota including overtime, sickness and other absences are accurately documented on Healthroster.

1. Work closely with the Ultrasound Rota Coordinator.

1. Be able to manage NHSP shifts, where appropriate.

1. Respond to non-routine situations as directed by the Ultrasound and service line management teams and to manage the team to respond effectively to day to day issues.

1. To have line management responsibility for the ICAs including liaison with Staff Health and Well-Being and HR regarding sickness and absence, performance and conduct issues as required, undertaking meetings with staff in line with Trust Policy. This includes holding regular meetings with the ICA team, communicating sensitive information and undertaking meetings with the support of HR which might result in formal action being taken against the member of staff.

1. Manage requests for flexible working/retirement or changes to working patterns/ hours. Ensure that service delivery is unaffected by changes whilst accommodating requests were able. Liaise with senior manager and HR when necessary. Ensure requests are reviewed annually or if service needs change

11. To communicate with the ICA team through email and regular staff meeting, producing meeting minutes to ensure those who do not attend are kept up to date with current issues. This includes to communicate sensitive information, maintain confidentiality, deal with conduct/performance management of individuals. Document discussions routinely. Undertake meetings with the support of HR which might result in formal action being taken against the member of staff.

1. To act as lead for the education of the ICA team, responsible for CME events, CPD and PDP of individuals in collaboration with the Imaging Educational Team. Establish a clear career pathway and develop opportunities for role progression where appropriate.

1. Ensure all ICAs are up to date with Trust requirements for mandatory training.

1. Undertake annual appraisals for ICAs in line with Trust policy ensuring the completion rate exceeds the minimum expectations of the trust as monitored on the service line dashboards.

1. Manage grievance, conduct and capability procedures and respond to complaints which involve the ICAs.

1. To be a mentor and support every new member of ICA team through local induction in order to ensure that each ICA is trained to the required standard for ultrasound service delivery and maintain the competency record for ICA team. This encompasses various safety aspects required to maintain health and safety of both staff and patients.

1. Have a firm understanding of DATIX, be able to undertake investigations where appropriate in collaboration with Modality Clinical Leads and SLM team. Provide feedback to relevant stakeholders and share areas for learning with the ICA group.

18. To hold a Care Certificate and act as mentor to undertake Care Certificate assessments for new team members.

19. To become ANTT trainer and be able to assist in ultrasound procedures such as MSK injections and FNAs, and other more complex ultrasound procedures where appropriate.

20. To be able to accurately record patient observations and care given with counter signature from a Registered Practitioner during recovery following specific non-invasive/invasive investigations, reporting any abnormality of the patients condition to the appropriate person.

1. To assist in the care of maintaining skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to the appropriate person.

1. To prepare notes/documentation for clinics, ensuring necessary medical results and reports are present in the notes.

1. To be competent to escort patients pre and post minor procedures under the direction of the Registered Nurse/Practitioner.

1. Undertake infection control audits and environmental cleanliness checks, where appropriate, and review results in conjunction with Sonography team.

1. To provide support for patients in accordance to their needs, chaperone patients during their scans (in accordance to policies/procedures). This includes escorting patients to and from the department, and where necessary to assist with dressing and undressing and attending to their needs.

1. Under the direction of a Sonographer, assist with weekly resuscitation trolley checks, undertake daily resuscitation trolley checks.

1. To assist in the maintenance of stock levels, bringing to the attention of the appropriate individual and be able to raise orders for some commonly used items. This will require and awareness of regular materials management linking in with Stores and ability to utilise EPROC.

28. To have a sound knowledge of CRIS, SALUS, ICM, Synbiotix and other relevant programmes essential for ultrasound service delivery.

29. To have a good understanding of inpatient flow and be able to stand in as ultrasound inpatient coordinator, when required.

30. To assist all ultrasound practitioners during patient examinations as required using manual handling techniques and mechanical aids where necessary.

31. To transport patients to and from the Ultrasound department in wheelchairs or beds either alone or with a porter or colleague as necessary.

32. To be familiar with Ultrasound procedures in order to be able to explain them to patients of all ages and abilities, carers and relatives and report any concerns to the Sonographer.

33. To report any equipment faults appropriately under direction of a Sonographer.

34. Adhere to all aspects of the regulations pertaining to COSHH, Infection Control, Health and Safety and to observe the local rules relating to radiation safety at all times, thereby maintaining a safe working environment.

35. Assess any infection risks and employ necessary precautions.

36. There will be occasional contact with bodily fluids, foul linen, fleas, lice etc.

37. To understand and adhere to the data protection act, ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.

38. To provide annually updated competencies for the ICA workforce.

39. To liaise with the HR department regarding redeployed staff, i.e. monitoring over the 4 week induction period to ensure all set objectives have been met.

40. Ensure staff standard of dress and appearance, complying with trust policies and infection control guidelines.

41. To be able to work independently and prioritise own workload, and that of the ICA team, in order to maintain efficient and effective patient throughput at all times throughout the inpatient and outpatient scan rooms.

42. To support and enhance the continual quality initiative programme ensuring a "quality first" approach to all aspects of work in the area.

43. Any other duties, commensurate with the grade and at the discretion of the Ultrasound Leads and service line management team.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Previous demonstrable experience as an ICA or HCA in a clinical setting.
• Demonstrable experience of leadership and team working.
• Able to move patients and equipment as per the Trusts manual handling procedures.

Desirable

• Recent healthcare experience, preferably in a hospital environment.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a hospital ward.

Qualifications

Essential

• Must hold a Care Certificate Level 2.
• NVQ 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent standard or demonstrable equivalent experience as a senior ICA/HCA in band 3 clinical role and willing to undertake appropriate level 3 course.

Desirable

• Care certificate observational assessor qualification.

Aptitude & Abilites

Essential

• Kind and approachable.
• Polite and respectful.
• Values self and others.

Desirable

• Able to analyse and discuss problems whilst demonstrating understanding of different perspectives.
• Able to keep record of documents.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

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