Job summary
As a Senior Sonographer, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality diagnostic ultrasound services across a range of specialties. You will be responsible for independently managing and reporting on your own patient caseload, synthesising clinical history and scan findings to produce accurate diagnostic reports, and seeking second opinions when clinically appropriate.
You will uphold and advance professional standards through active participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and contribute to the development of the ultrasound service by leading audits, supervising students, and teaching junior doctors and allied health professionals. Additionally, there is a requirement for the post holder to provide image reports for an additional area of speciality such as x-ray and/or MRI.
Main duties of the job
Scope and range
To carry out a range of ultrasound examinations to agreed protocols and standards.
To provide written reports after synthesising history and scan findings to make a diagnosis.
Teaching Student Sonographers, Midwives, and Student Radiographers.
Teaching Junior Doctors with an interest in Ultrasound.
Assist with the departments ambition to receive and maintain QSI accreditation.
About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities
Clinical Practice:
- To carry out obstetric, gynaecological (including trans-vaginal scanning), abdominal, small parts, and vascular ultrasound examinations to agreed protocols and standards, as required.
- To provide written reports after synthesising patient history and scan findings into a diagnosis.
- If qualified to do so, to carry out MSK ultrasound scans and injections.
- To seek second opinions where necessary.
- Accountable for own professional actions and decision making when acting within clinical protocols.
- To provide a high-quality reporting service and act as a role model for the radiology service at PAHT.
Patient Care & Communication:
- Communicating scan results to patients verbally as appropriate. This may be unwelcome and sometimes upsetting news.
- Communicating sometimes inconclusive results requiring explanation of how they may be interpreted (frequent emotional effort often resulting from mainly failing obstetric cases).
- Communicating scan results to the referrer with the appropriate degree of urgency – patient management being dependent upon the examination findings (requiring extreme and continued concentration).
- Providing a very high standard of patient care at all times, referring patients for timely management.
- Abiding by the rules of patient confidentiality and Data Protection Act.
Equipment & Systems:
- To take care of expensive and highly complex ultrasound equipment, reporting faults and breakdowns to the Superintendent Sonographer.
- To take part in evaluation of new Ultrasound equipment prior to procurement.
- Using the Radiology Systems, CRIS, Viewpoint, and PACS appropriately to record patient examination details and images.
Leadership, Management, & Training:
- Reporting any accidents, incidents, or complaints to the Superintendent Sonographer in a timely manner.
- To supervise Student Sonographers, providing clinical training and sharing knowledge as required.
- To maintain effective liaison with all disciplines of Radiology staff and staff external to the department.
- Manage own workload and success measures effectively.
- Support the reporting team, management, and clinical leads in meeting operational and strategic targets, and improving the quality of patient care within Radiology.
Governance & Development:
- Undertaking training and study necessary to ensure a high level of current professional knowledge and expertise is achieved and maintained.
- Undertaking training and study to expand current practice, in line with clinical governance. Assisting in setting departmental protocols and standards.
- Understanding, complying, and implementing where necessary all Departmental and Trust Policies and Procedures.
- To participate in audits in their clinical areas to ensure competence and compliance.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities
Clinical Practice:
- To carry out obstetric, gynaecological (including trans-vaginal scanning), abdominal, small parts, and vascular ultrasound examinations to agreed protocols and standards, as required.
- To provide written reports after synthesising patient history and scan findings into a diagnosis.
- If qualified to do so, to carry out MSK ultrasound scans and injections.
- To seek second opinions where necessary.
- Accountable for own professional actions and decision making when acting within clinical protocols.
- To provide a high-quality reporting service and act as a role model for the radiology service at PAHT.
Patient Care & Communication:
- Communicating scan results to patients verbally as appropriate. This may be unwelcome and sometimes upsetting news.
- Communicating sometimes inconclusive results requiring explanation of how they may be interpreted (frequent emotional effort often resulting from mainly failing obstetric cases).
- Communicating scan results to the referrer with the appropriate degree of urgency – patient management being dependent upon the examination findings (requiring extreme and continued concentration).
- Providing a very high standard of patient care at all times, referring patients for timely management.
- Abiding by the rules of patient confidentiality and Data Protection Act.
Equipment & Systems:
- To take care of expensive and highly complex ultrasound equipment, reporting faults and breakdowns to the Superintendent Sonographer.
- To take part in evaluation of new Ultrasound equipment prior to procurement.
- Using the Radiology Systems, CRIS, Viewpoint, and PACS appropriately to record patient examination details and images.
Leadership, Management, & Training:
- Reporting any accidents, incidents, or complaints to the Superintendent Sonographer in a timely manner.
- To supervise Student Sonographers, providing clinical training and sharing knowledge as required.
- To maintain effective liaison with all disciplines of Radiology staff and staff external to the department.
- Manage own workload and success measures effectively.
- Support the reporting team, management, and clinical leads in meeting operational and strategic targets, and improving the quality of patient care within Radiology.
Governance & Development:
- Undertaking training and study necessary to ensure a high level of current professional knowledge and expertise is achieved and maintained.
- Undertaking training and study to expand current practice, in line with clinical governance. Assisting in setting departmental protocols and standards.
- Understanding, complying, and implementing where necessary all Departmental and Trust Policies and Procedures.
- To participate in audits in their clinical areas to ensure competence and compliance.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- DMU or Pg Certificate or Diploma in medical ultrasound or equivalent.
- HCPC Registered Radiographer
- Clinical image reporting qualification such as in MRI or X-Ray
Experience
Essential
- Full range of ultrasound experience, to include Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Medical Ultrasound.
- Independently reporting scan areas
- Experience of teaching and assessing student Sonographers.
Desirable
- Recent NHS Experience
- Experience in vascular US
- Experience in MSK US
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- DMU or Pg Certificate or Diploma in medical ultrasound or equivalent.
- HCPC Registered Radiographer
- Clinical image reporting qualification such as in MRI or X-Ray
Experience
Essential
- Full range of ultrasound experience, to include Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Medical Ultrasound.
- Independently reporting scan areas
- Experience of teaching and assessing student Sonographers.
Desirable
- Recent NHS Experience
- Experience in vascular US
- Experience in MSK US
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.
