Job summary
The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills and willing to join our expanding friendly team.
The post holder will work within the Obstetric and Imaging ultrasound departments, in line with competency, to provide a high quality ultrasound service, prioritising the workload and producing comprehensive independently written ultrasound reports. The post holder will communicate complex information to clinicians and patients, and will take part in the training of others in this modality. All members of the Sonographer team will be responsible for the management and delivery of ultrasound services ensuring high standards of ultrasound provision in terms of quality, safety and access to services, providing the Professional Lead for Ultrasound with regular feedback regarding agreed key performance indicators for this service.PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.
Main duties of the job
- To supervise the activity of more junior staff and trainees within the department
- To be responsible for maintaining professional and technical standards relevant to ultrasound services
- To take part in the planning, coordinating and implementation of new services and strategies concerning patient care to enhance, develop and improve patient pathways
- To keep the Professional Lead for Ultrasound fully informed of issues within ultrasound and pertaining to the delivery of the service
- To attend relevant meetings as directed, both internally and externally to the Trust
- To establish and maintain effective communication with all members of the
- Imaging and multidisciplinary team, in particular those associated with ultrasound.
- To challenge, in a positive manner, current working practices and promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.
- To participate with the recruitment and selection of staff.
- To coordinate routine maintenance of equipment and management of breakdowns liaising with external companies
About us
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To independently undertake and use analytical and judgmental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to view the scan images taken, to assess their technical quality and to have the ability to identify reasons for performing additional views appropriately.
- To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.
- Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD
- To inform appointment scheduling and be responsible for ones own caseload.
- To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a range of referral pathways, within a pressurised environment.
- To receive telephone enquiries from patients, ward or medical staff regarding clinical procedures or results
- To maintain patients dignity whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids
- To deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff
- To independently assess and justify examinations using department protocols / guidelines.
- Ensure the implementation of examination protocols
- Attend appropriate clinical meetings, feeding back to the team and informing service improvement as appropriate
- To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7 day service.
- Acts as a role model to all other staff.
- To assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up to date professional knowledge through CPD and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and maintaining standards
- Train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Post Graduates and clinicians in the specialist field of ultrasound and the use of high specification ultrasound equipment
- Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less , experienced sonographers
- Accountable for own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill
- To possess a high level of knowledge over a range of ultrasound procedures and /or a high level of expertise in a particular area of ultrasound
- To give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of Health Care professionals. To give information that can directly affect diagnosis or treatment
- To supervise the activity of less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees within the ultrasound workplace. To undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images in a dynamic environment. To maintain concentrations during frequent interruptions from patients and staff.
- To have well developed hand / eye coordination combined with special awareness which enables precise acquisition of diagnostic images
- To relate to and communicate with all patients and visitors in a sensitive and empathetic manner. To give clear explanations to patients about ultrasound examinations including risk, accuracy and limitations especially regarding procedures that require consent. To use appropriate levels of tact and persuasion when dealing with aggressive behaviour, cultural differences, special needs and those with newly diagnosed illnesses.
- To promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
- To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System / PACS System.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To independently undertake and use analytical and judgmental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
- To use analytical and judgemental skills to view the scan images taken, to assess their technical quality and to have the ability to identify reasons for performing additional views appropriately.
- To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.
- Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD
- To inform appointment scheduling and be responsible for ones own caseload.
- To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a range of referral pathways, within a pressurised environment.
- To receive telephone enquiries from patients, ward or medical staff regarding clinical procedures or results
- To maintain patients dignity whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids
- To deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff
- To independently assess and justify examinations using department protocols / guidelines.
- Ensure the implementation of examination protocols
- Attend appropriate clinical meetings, feeding back to the team and informing service improvement as appropriate
- To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7 day service.
- Acts as a role model to all other staff.
- To assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up to date professional knowledge through CPD and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and maintaining standards
- Train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Post Graduates and clinicians in the specialist field of ultrasound and the use of high specification ultrasound equipment
- Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less , experienced sonographers
- Accountable for own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill
- To possess a high level of knowledge over a range of ultrasound procedures and /or a high level of expertise in a particular area of ultrasound
- To give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of Health Care professionals. To give information that can directly affect diagnosis or treatment
- To supervise the activity of less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees within the ultrasound workplace. To undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images in a dynamic environment. To maintain concentrations during frequent interruptions from patients and staff.
- To have well developed hand / eye coordination combined with special awareness which enables precise acquisition of diagnostic images
- To relate to and communicate with all patients and visitors in a sensitive and empathetic manner. To give clear explanations to patients about ultrasound examinations including risk, accuracy and limitations especially regarding procedures that require consent. To use appropriate levels of tact and persuasion when dealing with aggressive behaviour, cultural differences, special needs and those with newly diagnosed illnesses.
- To promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
- To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System / PACS System.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Formal Post Graduate Ultrasound Qualification/DMU
- CR/BSc Diagnostic Radiography
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of up-to-date technical knowledge
- Evidence of professional up to date knowledge
Skills
Essential
- Energy / drive / ambition
- Shows initiative
- Ability to work and communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team setting within and outside the Trust.
- Able to supply accurate, precise information.
- Time management skills with an ability to act on own initiative and be both self-directed and motivated in the work environment.
- Positive attitude to change with a proven ability to assist in the implementation of change and practice development
Key competencies
Essential
- Wide range of practical experience
- Assisting in the training or mentoring of trainee sonographers/students into supporting workforce development.
- Computer literacy, including experience with ultrasound reporting software, PACS, and RIS
Flexibility
Essential
- - Flexible approach to duties / service delivery
Other
Essential
- Shows initiative
- High level of enthusiasm
- Reliable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Formal Post Graduate Ultrasound Qualification/DMU
- CR/BSc Diagnostic Radiography
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of up-to-date technical knowledge
- Evidence of professional up to date knowledge
Skills
Essential
- Energy / drive / ambition
- Shows initiative
- Ability to work and communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team setting within and outside the Trust.
- Able to supply accurate, precise information.
- Time management skills with an ability to act on own initiative and be both self-directed and motivated in the work environment.
- Positive attitude to change with a proven ability to assist in the implementation of change and practice development
Key competencies
Essential
- Wide range of practical experience
- Assisting in the training or mentoring of trainee sonographers/students into supporting workforce development.
- Computer literacy, including experience with ultrasound reporting software, PACS, and RIS
Flexibility
Essential
- - Flexible approach to duties / service delivery
Other
Essential
- Shows initiative
- High level of enthusiasm
- Reliable
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).
