Sonographer

Job description

Job responsibilities

To undertake a range of ultrasound examinations in accordance with DHCs, Local, Regional and National Guidelines, practising unsupervised.

To provide a full ultrasound scanning and reporting service within your scope of practice. This will require the use of analytical and judgemental skills to provide interpretation of ultrasound images in order to provide independent written examination reports over a range of ultrasound examinations. Reports should make recommendations for further scans, assessment or referral where necessary.

When working on Trust sites be familiar with and adhere to Trust

protocols and policies.

To request Radiologist review of proposed report where clinically

appropriate, reviewing the final report as part of the commitment to CPD.

To provide high standards of patient care in a safe, clean and tidy workingenvironment, observing all Diagnostic Healthcare/Trust policies (asappropriate dependent upon location) and to maintain the highestprofessional and personal standards.

To manage the clinic/session effectively, working with the DiagnosticImaging Assistant to provide a timely and professional service for eachpatient.

To support the DIA with machine set up, PACS upload, and as required toensure the smooth running of the clinic.

To manage unpredictable patient demands effectively patients/relativesmay be difficult, emotionally distressed and potentially aggressive.

To contribute to the training in ultrasound of others, as agreed with theClinical Regional Lead Sonographer. This includes radiographers, radiologyregistrars and other medical staff and HCPCs (on approved trainingprogrammes).

To play an active role in audit and clinical governance activities as directedby the Clinical Regional Ultrasound Manager.

To be committed to lifelong learning and produce evidence of CPDmaintaining 'fitness to practice'.

To participate in the annual appraisal process.

To remain up-to-date with changes and current trends in medical

ultrasound.

To maintain the highest personal, professional and ultrasonographicstandards.

To adhere to Diagnostic Healthcare and NHS Health and Safety Policies,and to use any equipment or personal protective equipment providedsafely.

To promote the DHC philosophy of equality and diversity.

To respond to the needs of the company and patients as necessary.

To be prepared to work flexibly to meet service demands.

Supplementary Information

Communication and Relationship Skills

To provide highly complex and sensitive information.

To impart this information in a sensitive and empathetic manner in termsthat the patient can understand.

To act upon complex information received from referrers and to communicate effectively with them.

To deal sympathetically with distressed patients.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Must hold a professional qualification, either the DMU or PGC/D in medicalultrasound imaging and relevant professional registration eg HCPC.

Professional/clinical specialist knowledge of ultrasound acquiredthroughout a post-graduate qualification and extensive clinical practice.

To have a degree of personal and professional autonomy.

To have the ability to make clinical judgements and critical decisions ofthe highest order, using knowledge, skills and experience.

Able to use company patient management databases and PACS.

Planning and Organisational Skills

Plans and priorities own workload, accepting urgent referrals and additions to list as required whilst maintaining an efficient throughput ofpatients and ensuring best patient care at all times.

Physical Skills

To scan patients of all sizes, shapes and dispositions, adapting techniquesto suit.

Responsibility for Human Resources

Regularly responsible for providing training within own discipline tostudents and medical personnel.

Freedom to Act

To give professional advice to staff, health professionals and clinicians.

To adhere to national guidelines and to Diagnostic Healthcare and NHSTrust protocols.

Accountable for own professional actions including issuing of independentreports.

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us togather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters.They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff willrespect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post holder may have access to confidential information relating to patientsand their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They mayalso have access to information relating to the practice as a businessorganisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded asstrictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcareworkers or the business of the practice may only be divulged toauthorised persons in accordance with the practice policies andprocedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal andsensitive data.

Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own andothers health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health &Safety Policy, to include: attend risk management training and contributeto risk assessment audits.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carersand colleagues, to include:

Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures andpolicies, and current legislation.

Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers andcolleagues.

Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities andrights.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all employees are required to act insuch a way that at all times safeguards the health and well being of children andvulnerable adults. Familiarisation with, and adherence to, the DHC SafeguardingPolicies and any associated guidance is an essential requirement of allemployees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training. Allemployees must ensure that they understand and act in accordance with thisclause.

If you do not understand exactly how this clause relates to you personally thenyou must ensure that you seek clarification from your immediate manager as amatter of urgency.

Equally, all managers have a responsibility to ensure that their team membersunderstand their individual responsibilities with regard to Safeguarding Childrenand Vulnerable Adults and PREVENT.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by thecompany as part of this employment, such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including takingresponsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professionaldevelopment.

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance anddemonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similarwork.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the company, and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.

Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, eitherdirectly or under supervision.

Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patientsneeds.

Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communicationwithin the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication andrespond accordingly.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

The post-holder will:

Adhere to company policies and procedures.

Propose Changes to working practices or procedures within own workarea.

Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards andguidelines will affect own work.

Participate in audit where appropriate

Person Specification

Experience

Desirable

• Minimum 3 years experience as a Sonographer

Qualifications

Essential

• Must be HCPC, RCT, NMC or GMC registered

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

Diagnostic Healthcare Ltd

Address

Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital

Grimsby

DB33 2BA

Employer's website

http://www.diagnostichealthcareltd.com/ (Opens in a new tab)