Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Technician

The closing date is 19 August 2025

Job summary

The post holder is based at Preston Business Centre in Fulwood Preston but will be required to travel to all screening venues within the Lancashire & South Cumbria region.

AAA Screening is a fast paced, demanding environment carrying out over 11,000 ultrasound scans per year for men aged 65 years and over. Screening Technicians are expected to work and report autonomously. Challenges of the role include obtaining informed consent, performing ultrasound examinations and base line observations, discussing screening test results and providing reassurance when an aneurysm is found.

We are looking for motivated, sensitive and enthusiastic individuals to join the established AAA Screening Team.

No experience in ultrasound is necessary but applicants must be educated to GCSE grade A-C standard (English Language, Mathematics and Science are essential) and have experience of working within the healthcare sector.

The successful applicant will undertake the Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners. This includes ultrasound training over a 3-12 months

Applicants must have a clean driving licence and a use of a car with business insurance as they are required to use their own transport to attend venues throughout Lancashire & South Cumbria.

This post is offered on a part time basis only and shift patterns will include a mixture of 7.5 hour and 11.25 hour shifts. The post holder must be able to demonstrate full flexibility within the core hours of the service.

Main duties of the job

Travel to and from clinic sites throughout Lancashire & South Cumbria.

Gains verbal consent for the procedure to go ahead

Independently undertakes abdominal ultrasound scanning and base line observations, as part of the community AAA screening programme.

Ensures abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures.

Explains and reassures patients attending the community abdominal aortic screening programme.

Provides initial support for those men identified with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Ensures that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of implications of AAA screening.

Carry out health promotion to promote the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening programme.

Deliver behavioural advice through localised Making Each Contact Count programme to include signposting to other section 7a screening programmes.

Enters data onto the NAAASP database.

About us

Employed by Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust but based in Preston Lancashire the trust provides a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronymICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Details

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year 0

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

297-7373587

Job locations

Preston Business centre

Watling Street Road

Preston

PR2 8DY


Job description

Job responsibilities

Travel to and from clinic sites throughout Lancashire & South Cumbria.

Gains verbal consent for the procedure to go ahead

Independently undertakes abdominal ultrasound scanning and base line observations, as part of the community AAA screening programme.

Ensures abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures.

Explains and reassures patients attending the community abdominal aortic screening programme.

Provides initial support for those men identified with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Ensures that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of implications of AAA screening.

Carry out health promotion to promote the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening programme.

Deliver behavioural advice through localised Making Each Contact Count programme to include signposting to other section 7a screening programmes.

Enters data onto the NAAASP database.

Observe and care for patients whilst they are having the scan carried out, liaising with other staff of different disciplines, in the best interest of the patient and any escorts.

Deal with anxious patients and their relatives with tact, persuasion, patience and discretion.

Be able to demonstrate good communication skills both written and verbal.

Recognise where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding

Works alongside other screening staff within the programme and within the Division

Keeps the senior staff informed of clinical workload and seeks advice where necessary

Other key working relationships include:

Medical staff internal and external to the programme

Administrative staff at offsite locations

Vascular Consultants

Vascular service managers

Job description

Job responsibilities

Travel to and from clinic sites throughout Lancashire & South Cumbria.

Gains verbal consent for the procedure to go ahead

Independently undertakes abdominal ultrasound scanning and base line observations, as part of the community AAA screening programme.

Ensures abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures.

Explains and reassures patients attending the community abdominal aortic screening programme.

Provides initial support for those men identified with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Ensures that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of implications of AAA screening.

Carry out health promotion to promote the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening programme.

Deliver behavioural advice through localised Making Each Contact Count programme to include signposting to other section 7a screening programmes.

Enters data onto the NAAASP database.

Observe and care for patients whilst they are having the scan carried out, liaising with other staff of different disciplines, in the best interest of the patient and any escorts.

Deal with anxious patients and their relatives with tact, persuasion, patience and discretion.

Be able to demonstrate good communication skills both written and verbal.

Recognise where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding

Works alongside other screening staff within the programme and within the Division

Keeps the senior staff informed of clinical workload and seeks advice where necessary

Other key working relationships include:

Medical staff internal and external to the programme

Administrative staff at offsite locations

Vascular Consultants

Vascular service managers

Person Specification

DESIRABLE

Desirable

  • I.T

Essential

Essential

  • 5 GCSE A-C or equivalent
  • Healthcare experience
  • Car driver
  • Knowledge of the AAA screening programme

Desirable

  • I.T skills
  • Knowledge of local area
Person Specification

DESIRABLE

Desirable

  • I.T

Essential

Essential

  • 5 GCSE A-C or equivalent
  • Healthcare experience
  • Car driver
  • Knowledge of the AAA screening programme

Desirable

  • I.T skills
  • Knowledge of local area

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).

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.

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

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Preston Business centre

Watling Street Road

Preston

PR2 8DY


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Preston Business centre

Watling Street Road

Preston

PR2 8DY


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Programme Lead / Nurse Practitioner

Carole Williams

carole.williams11@nhs.net

01772521943

Details

Date posted

05 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year 0

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

297-7373587

Job locations

Preston Business centre

Watling Street Road

Preston

PR2 8DY


Supporting documents

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