Sonographer

Job description

Job responsibilities

To plan and perform complex ultrasound examinations in accordance with Trust and departmental agreed working protocols, ensuring high standards are maintained.

To analyse clinical histories to perform the most appropriate technique/examination to answer the clinical question.

To be responsible for the quality of work of all staff and that of students, other health professionals and medical personnel being trained within the department, ie act as a clinical role model.

To ensure the highest standards are maintained to accommodate the clinical, physical, mental and cultural needs of the patient.

Use of clinical skills to recognise and act swiftly in emergency situations, ie, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, MAJAX cascade.

Assist Consultant radiologists with complex procedures.

Supervise and support/mentor students and junior staff & undertake staff assessments when required.

Ensure safety of patients, staff, carers and visitors when operating all ultrasound and related equipment within the department

Participation in quality assurance programmes recording faults and take action where appropriate.

Promote best practice, advising and sharing knowledge to the profession and beyond.

Provide clinical counselling to the patient and their relatives following good, bad, unexpected unwelcome news, ie discovery of malignancy

Acknowledging when changing care is required and having the authority to recommend further imaging.

To communicate effectively with patients of all ages and abilities to gain a positive identification and co-operation in order to obtain high quality images

To communicate effectively with all grades of staff and clinicians in and outside the clinical area

Freedom to act independently on own interpretation of findings

Ability to work autonomously when justifying the relevance of requests, taking into account previous examination and reports using clinical details and obtaining a verbal history

Prioritising and managing workload as an individual and as part of a team

Communicating results immediately in certain situations to enable rapid response from clinicians, ie when working on ITU/SCBU

Instigating a fast track pathway where necessary to ensure appropriate treatment is commenced in a timely way, ie, Haematuria Clinics, TIA Clinics etc. Patients are prioritised with reports being typed immediately for One Stop clinic situation

Provide care and support to women and their families following diagnosis of foetal abnormality

Provide a high level of tact, empathy, discretion and sensitivity in emotional situations

Develop new protocols using evidence based practice and participate in delivering strategies outlined in guidelines which have been produced

Maintain awareness of current trends in all professional matters in the field of ultrasound

Effective cleaning and disinfecting of equipment and ancillary equipment in line with the Trust policy on infection control

Participate in MDT meetings, justifying accuracy of biopsies/reports

Maintain personal contact with patient/clients and relatives and other HCPs

Close involvement with the universities and medical schools involving setting out courses and content for future development of the service

Participation in the attendance of courses to update knowledge and cascading of information to the rest of the team

Completion of equipment check lists to ensure the use of new equipment is understood by all

Taking responsibility for own CPD with accurate and up to date records

Attendance of courses to update knowledge and cascading of information to the rest of the team

Arrange equipment checks as and when required

Assess equipment for suitability of purpose

Collaborate with all service areas

Participate in research and development and clinical trials as required

Maintain awareness of current trends in all professional matters in the field of ultrasound

Promote best practice, advising and sharing knowledge of the profession and beyond

Bring up-to-date relevant reports, guidelines and policies on health and clinical practice and implement where required

Organise the induction of new staff, including medical staff within the department

Assess students undertaking ultrasound courses from the university as required throughout the region.

To be aware and comply with the Trust and departmental and clinical/non clinical incident reporting

To undertake quality assurance initiatives and audit projects related to all aspects of current practice

Escalate reports of incidents to Team Leader/Service Lead with responsibility for risk management

Ensure all equipment is in good working order and maintain a safe working environment for patients, staff and visitors

Ensure safety of patients, staff, carers and visitors when operating all ultrasound and related equipment within the department

Participation in quality assurance programmes recording all faults and bringing to the attention of the Team Leader /Service Lead

Ensure all trust resources are utilised in an appropriate manner & not wasted.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

• BSc/DCR
• PG Diploma in Medical Ultrasound or DMU Ultrasound (at Masters level)
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of self-development and CPD
• Attendance at relevant updates
• Study days and courses

Desirable

• Evidence of further studies i.e. MSc in Medical Ultrasound
• Post Graduate Certificate in Breast Ultrasound
• Post graduate certificate in vascular ultrasound Management qualification in-house or otherwise

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

• To be aware of current trends in all professional matters in ultrasound.
• Counselling skills

Desirable

• Musculoskeletal experience
• Neck scanning
• Paediatric scanning
• Interventional procedures
• Experience in ultrasound of carotid and sonovenogram examinations or other vascular procedures
• Knowledge of computers.
• Evidence of extended role, for example, interventional work
• Evidence of audit/research projects

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

• Use own initiative
• Methodical and accurate
• Pay attention to detail
• Excellent organiser
• Ability to prioritise work
• Ability to work under pressure

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA

Employer's website

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