Job summary
Our Paediatric and Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) service is looking for a driven and dynamic individual to join our enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly team. This role would be suitable for a qualified congenital echocardiographer with significant experience in both the paediatric and ACHD settings. The successful candidate must be able to independently scan, interpret and report paediatric patients including normal scans, functional studies and complex congenital hearts with detailed knowledge of both pre and post-surgical requirements.
- Interview Date 16/01/2024
- 30 Hours/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy.
Main duties of the job
The echo team is an integral part of the combined paediatric and ACHD service covering outpatient and inpatient work. The congenital echo team are involved with the interventional TOE service and advanced imaging clinics (including dedicated 3D pre surgical assessment). Working in a level 1 congenital surgical centre the team routinely undertakes echocardiography for a wide range of indications from innocent murmurs to complex single ventricle physiology. Our specialist services also include ventricular assist devices and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), along with pre and post cardiac transplant assessments.
About us
Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the busiest, largest and most successful teaching NHS foundation trusts in the country, with over 16,000 staff and an annual income of £1 billion.
We're also proud to be the second largest provider of specialised services in the country. This means we support people with a range of rare and complex medical, surgical and neurological conditions, cancers and genetic orders.
Our staff oversee around 2 million patients 'contacts' each year, delivering high standards of healthcare.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and recognise the benefit in providing an inclusive environment. We value and respect the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects the communities we serve, and is equipped to deliver the best service to our patients. We welcome all applications irrespective of people's race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Attendance at courses and conferences (including internationally) are encouraged and supported. Our team are regularly involved in research and education including lecturing and supporting postgraduate level training (e.g. STP/ETP).
We have a passionate and approachable team of consultant paediatric and ACHD cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, specialist nurses, clinic/ward staff, allied health professionals and work as part of a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team.
- Specialist in acquiring, interpreting and reporting ultrasound images.
- To provide a broad range of specialist cardiac ultrasound investigations (including standard transthoracic, stress, contrast and assistance in transoesophageal studies) as an autonomous practitioner on a day-to-day basis that are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- To train a wide variety of staff groups in the specialist techniques of diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.
- To be flexible in working within other areas as appropriate, when service needs demand.
- Contribute to the delivery of training within the department.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Attendance at courses and conferences (including internationally) are encouraged and supported. Our team are regularly involved in research and education including lecturing and supporting postgraduate level training (e.g. STP/ETP).
We have a passionate and approachable team of consultant paediatric and ACHD cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, specialist nurses, clinic/ward staff, allied health professionals and work as part of a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team.
- Specialist in acquiring, interpreting and reporting ultrasound images.
- To provide a broad range of specialist cardiac ultrasound investigations (including standard transthoracic, stress, contrast and assistance in transoesophageal studies) as an autonomous practitioner on a day-to-day basis that are essential in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- To train a wide variety of staff groups in the specialist techniques of diagnostic cardiac ultrasound.
- To be flexible in working within other areas as appropriate, when service needs demand.
- Contribute to the delivery of training within the department.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate.The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first months pay.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Underpinning knowledge of all aspects of echocardiography (transthoracic and transoesophageal).
- Underpinning knowledge of stress, contrast and cardiac resynchronisation modalities.
- Underpinning highly specialist theoretical knowledge of the complete range of cardiac investigations and procedures provided and associated pathology and physiology
- Understanding of patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
- Good familiarity with medical technology.
Desirable
- Understanding of Trust procedures, guidelines and procedures.
- Awareness of key national policies and their impact on practice.
- Awareness of Research and Development protocol
- Awareness of key national policies and their impact on practice.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to perform a broad range of echocardiographic studies including standard transthoracic, stress, contrast and cardiac resynchronisation studies
- Ability to assist in transoesophageal investigations.
- Proven recent ability to deliver practical and theoretical training to junior staff
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Effective report writing skills
- Proven organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work alone and as a member of a team
- Good analytical and judgement skills
- Good IT skills
- Basic manual handling skills
Desirable
- Competence in undertaking 3D echocardiography
- Experience of cardiac physiologist led services (e.g., valve follow-up clinics, contrast studies, transoesophageal investigations).
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience (Master's level equivalent) as an echocardiographer with evidence of continuing professional development.
- Significant recent experience delivering practical and theoretical training programmes
Desirable
- Research and Development experience
- Experience of leading a team
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) in Clinical Physiology (cardiology) or equivalent
- European Accreditation in Paediatric and Congenital Echocardiography or British Society of Echocardiography Paediatric (legacy) or Adult Accreditation with extensive experience of echocardiography in paediatric and congenital heart disease.
- RCCP (Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists) voluntary registration
- Immediate Life Support certification
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development
Desirable
- Post-graduate diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Advanced Life Support certification
- Teaching / assessor qualification
- Master's Degree
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Underpinning knowledge of all aspects of echocardiography (transthoracic and transoesophageal).
- Underpinning knowledge of stress, contrast and cardiac resynchronisation modalities.
- Underpinning highly specialist theoretical knowledge of the complete range of cardiac investigations and procedures provided and associated pathology and physiology
- Understanding of patient confidentiality and the Data Protection Act.
- Good familiarity with medical technology.
Desirable
- Understanding of Trust procedures, guidelines and procedures.
- Awareness of key national policies and their impact on practice.
- Awareness of Research and Development protocol
- Awareness of key national policies and their impact on practice.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to perform a broad range of echocardiographic studies including standard transthoracic, stress, contrast and cardiac resynchronisation studies
- Ability to assist in transoesophageal investigations.
- Proven recent ability to deliver practical and theoretical training to junior staff
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Effective report writing skills
- Proven organisational and time management skills
- Ability to work alone and as a member of a team
- Good analytical and judgement skills
- Good IT skills
- Basic manual handling skills
Desirable
- Competence in undertaking 3D echocardiography
- Experience of cardiac physiologist led services (e.g., valve follow-up clinics, contrast studies, transoesophageal investigations).
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience (Master's level equivalent) as an echocardiographer with evidence of continuing professional development.
- Significant recent experience delivering practical and theoretical training programmes
Desirable
- Research and Development experience
- Experience of leading a team
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc (Hons) in Clinical Physiology (cardiology) or equivalent
- European Accreditation in Paediatric and Congenital Echocardiography or British Society of Echocardiography Paediatric (legacy) or Adult Accreditation with extensive experience of echocardiography in paediatric and congenital heart disease.
- RCCP (Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists) voluntary registration
- Immediate Life Support certification
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development
Desirable
- Post-graduate diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Advanced Life Support certification
- Teaching / assessor qualification
- Master's Degree
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).
