Job summary
The post-holder will work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team in maternity and Emergency Gynaecology unit (EGU), liaising with those involved to ensure the appropriate imaging, reporting and management of patients is provided as necessary. They will maintain a high professional and technical standard of ultrasound imaging. The Sonographer will undertake clinical work within established quality standards of practice, adhering to Ultrasound Guidelines such as those published by BMUS, RCOG, RCR and NICE. The post-holder will work as a practitioner in the delivery of all ultrasound imaging, reporting and management of the patient within the department protocols. The post- holder will liaise with key Lead Midwives, Nurses, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the directorate of Women and Children's. In the absence of a Site Lead Sonographer, the post-holder will oversee the day-to-day workload to ensure staff and resources are allocated to the area and managed effectively. They will promote patient advocacy and communicate effectively with other health care professionals together with outside agencies regarding patient care and progress.
Main duties of the job
1. Develop and maintain relationships and effective communication mechanisms with staff and their representatives in a multi-disciplinary team.
2. To communicate effectively by taking an active role through verbal, electronic or written methods with professional colleagues including chairing staff meetings where necessary, providing feedback on service progress and departmental planning and to ensure that information is disseminated throughout the whole team.
3. To ensure collaborative working between directorates and maternity, communicating daily in a professional, concise, accurate and detailed manner.
4. To frequently use both verbal and non-verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with patients who often present with complex barriers to effective communication, including aggressive and abusive behaviour. This will include providing advice to patients, carers and family members in order to promote understanding of the aims of the imaging procedure. The explanation and delivery of patient ultrasound results with appropriate management of the patient care pathways.
5. To engage in explaining unexpected findings to patients via effective communication and counseling plus communicate findings to the referring clinician and on call emergency team.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post Graduate qualification in Medical Ultrasound (PgCert/Dip) that includes a relevant obstetrics module and has been accredited by CASE (or equivalent)
- Current and up to date state registration through a regulatory body (such as the HCPC; NMC or GMC) or through the RCT (when statutory registration cannot be achieved)
Desirable
- To hold a BSc Hons degree or DCR in Diagnostic Radiography
- MSc in Medical Ultrasound
- DQASS Nuchal Translucency certification
Knowledge / Experience
Essential
- An up to date knowledge of current and emerging ultrasound techniques and relevant topics / professional issues
- Able to demonstrate the ability to carry out and report on a full range of examinations in Obstetrics, Early Pregnancy and Gynaecology ultrasound
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of post graduate teaching
- Attendance of a clinical supervisor course
Skills
Essential
- High level inter-personal and communications skills
- Able to work collaboratively with other disciplines
- Ability to deal with conflict and stressful situations
- Ability to deal with patients in an empathetic and considerate fashion
- Experience of communicating unexpected findings to parents/patients
- Ability to work under pressure
- Computer literate
- High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement plus flexibility in approach and attitude
- Able to prioritise, organise and delegate
- Decisive, use of sound judgement in decision making and delivering work in a timely and confident manner
Desirable
Other
Essential
- Sufficient ability to perform the duties of the post with any aids and adaptations
- Be of smart personal appearance
- Lead by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct and integrity
- Commitment to the continuous development of self and other staff
- Commitment to developing culture of openness and partnership
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post Graduate qualification in Medical Ultrasound (PgCert/Dip) that includes a relevant obstetrics module and has been accredited by CASE (or equivalent)
- Current and up to date state registration through a regulatory body (such as the HCPC; NMC or GMC) or through the RCT (when statutory registration cannot be achieved)
Desirable
- To hold a BSc Hons degree or DCR in Diagnostic Radiography
- MSc in Medical Ultrasound
- DQASS Nuchal Translucency certification
Knowledge / Experience
Essential
- An up to date knowledge of current and emerging ultrasound techniques and relevant topics / professional issues
- Able to demonstrate the ability to carry out and report on a full range of examinations in Obstetrics, Early Pregnancy and Gynaecology ultrasound
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Experience of post graduate teaching
- Attendance of a clinical supervisor course
Skills
Essential
- High level inter-personal and communications skills
- Able to work collaboratively with other disciplines
- Ability to deal with conflict and stressful situations
- Ability to deal with patients in an empathetic and considerate fashion
- Experience of communicating unexpected findings to parents/patients
- Ability to work under pressure
- Computer literate
- High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement plus flexibility in approach and attitude
- Able to prioritise, organise and delegate
- Decisive, use of sound judgement in decision making and delivering work in a timely and confident manner
Desirable
Other
Essential
- Sufficient ability to perform the duties of the post with any aids and adaptations
- Be of smart personal appearance
- Lead by example, promoting the highest standards of personal and professional conduct and integrity
- Commitment to the continuous development of self and other staff
- Commitment to developing culture of openness and partnership
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
