Highly Specialist Cardiac Sonographer(XR07)

Job responsibilities

The post-holder will provide direct care and a high-quality diagnostic imaging service, justifying and performing cardiac ultrasound examinations, interpreting the results and providing diagnostic reports for fetal, neonatal, paediatric and adult patients. He/she will work within the multi-disciplinary team, as an independent practitioner, contributing to the provision of a highly complex, specialist tertiary service for patients of all ages with suspected congenital heart disease.

The role involves working collaboratively on a day-to day-basis with others to ensure that service needs are met, including responsibility for the development and training of cardiac sonographers within this specialist area of ultrasound and the supervision of other health care professionals (including sonographers, clinical physiologists and medical staff) ensuring continuity of service delivery.

The post-holder will work with the consultant sonographer to provide the highest standards of clinical care and ensure the application of evidence-based practice and efficient, effective use of resources. He/she will also collaborate on research projects, identify and carry out audit of practice in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team and participate in the evaluation of highly specialised medical equipment.

Clinical:

Patients are referred for cardiac ultrasound scans as in-patients, out-patients, from other hospitals and Obstetric and Paediatric clinics. ITU, ward, theatre and catheter laboratory

Clinical activity:

Approximately 5000 transthoracic scans per annum and 550 fetal scans

Clinical provision:

Monday Friday (8.30am 5.00pm)

Role of the ultrasound department:

provision of a high quality, efficient and effective cardiac ultrasound service for Yorkshire and Northern Trent

diagnostic imaging equipment is used to carry out ultrasound examinations on patients and reports are provided to referring clinicians to assist the referrer to provide a diagnosis of the patients condition in order to decide on an effective course of treatment and care.

the departmental clinical governance strategy ensures a high standard of care for patients undergoing ultrasound examinations and promotes multidisciplinary team working.

Staff responsibilities:

direction and supervision of student clinical physiologists and sonographers on clinical placement in ultrasound

for the clinical supervision and training of other qualified professionals (including physicians), junior and trainee physiologists in the correct use of ultrasound equipment, specifically in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease, under the guidance of the Consultant Sonographer

as a resource for other technical, medical and nursing staff for teaching purposes

direction and supervision of the day-to-day workload for junior sonographers

Equipment and machinery:

Ultrasound scanners from a range of manufacturers, including a variety of probes (transthoracic and transoesophageal)

Ultrasound height adjustable couches

Patients are moved around the scanning rooms/Department on trolleys and chairs when required.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Patient focussed
• Understanding of legal responsibilities of the profession
• Articulate, both verbally and written
• Ability to undertake the complex eye/hand coordination tasks required for the use of diagnostic equipment
• Able to work both autonomously and in a team
• Flexible approach to workload management
• Reflective skills
• Extensive report writing skills
• Able to promote a team approach
• Empathetic - sensitivity to needs of multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to accept, learn and develop skills from other clinicians
• Flexible and reliable
• Problem solving

Desirable

• Clinical supervision skills
• Competent IT skills
• Presentation skills
• Leadership qualities

Experience

Essential

• Extensive knowledge of cardiac ultrasound and its application in the diagnosis and management of patients with congenital heart disease
• Working using advanced practice skills
• Evidence of leadership of a clinical team
• Working in an educational capacity
• Evidence of research activity
• Evidence of advanced written and verbal skills

Desirable

• Experience of implementing research and development
• Understanding of current government and regional policy development
• Involvement in audit, research and understanding of quality issues
• Management experience

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Highly developed level of sensory skills.
• Good hand to eye co-ordination in order to immediately analyse and respond to complex life-threatening physiological signs.
• A high level of manual dexterity, with enhanced precision and timing skills, is required in to ensure the accurate application of a range of diagnostic tools.
• Following interpretation of the ultrasound findings the post-holder will use judgemental skills to make instantaneous decisions about further patient care.
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post.
• Enhanced disclosure

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc degree in Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) or equivalent formal specialist training, plus knowledge of specialist procedures acquired through specialist courses or training/experience
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio, including recent postgraduate courses relevant to clinical field
• Accreditation with the British Society of Echocardiography

Desirable

• Masters degree in Medical Ultrasound
• Experience of teaching at degree level

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).