Bank - Band 7 Sonographer

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job description

More than just a healthcare provider, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is on a mission to give our patients exemplary, compassionate and safe care. We're doing this through innovations in patient care, education and research. Every day our people work hard to bring us closer to where we want to be. Join us and you'll be part of a community that recognises your contribution and inspires you to achieve great things.

AIM OF THE ROLE: The post holder will be a qualified sonographer who will be expected to work autonomously within the specialist field of obstetrics and gynaecology imaging. To provide an efficient and professional ultrasound service, maintaining a high standard of patient care. Assess and report on own specialist workload. Participate in service activity within specialised areas of working. To provide supervision and training of junior ultrasound staff, students and doctors rotating through the ultrasound unit. To develop and improve professional expertise via continuous professional development. To deputise for Superintendent Sonographer when required.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Major working relationships with all ultrasound department staff, working as part of the multidisciplinary team. Patients, families and carers. Liaison with other clinical professionals and support staff. Supervisory and training responsibility for medical staff and student sonographers at undergraduate and post graduate level.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a qualified sonographer who will be expected to work autonomously within the specialist field of obstetrics and gynaecology imaging. To provide an efficient and professional ultrasound service, maintaining a high standard of patient care. Assess and report on own specialist workload. Participate in service activity within specialised areas of working. To provide supervision and training of junior ultrasound staff, students and doctors rotating through the ultrasound unit. To develop and improve professional expertise via continuous professional development. To deputise for Superintendent Sonographer when required.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1. Perform obstetric & gynaecological ultrasound examinations according to Trust, Departmental and statutory regulations.
2. To work as part of a team providing the highest standard of patient care within the Womens directorate.
3. Assess and report on own specialist workload.
4. To communicate effectively in order to ensure the smooth running of the service.
5. To supervise ultrasound staff, students and medical staff.
6. Commitment to Directorate and Trust objectives.

About us

The Womens health ultrasound service is delivered across two sites: Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital and St Marys Hospital. The workload is both varied and includes high and low risk pregnancies in addition to gynecological ultrasound. The Directorate of Maternity delivers over 9,000 women per year, with the recent reorganisation of maternity services in North West London. Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital is a tertiary referral unit with a high risk labour ward, obstetric high dependency unit and a tertiary and quaternary obstetric medicine service. It is the regional designated centre for tertiary fetal medicine with a level 3 neonatal unit. St Marys Hospital is a secondary hospital with a level 2 maternity unit and high risk labour ward.

Job responsibilities

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Perform Obstetric & Gynaecological Ultrasound procedures according to Trust, Departmental and statutory regulations.
2. Undertake obstetric and gynaecological procedures in accordance with guidelines to maintain the set standard of practice.
3. This role requires the post holder to have advanced clinical judgement to enable independent effective decision-making.
4. Co-ordinate the day to day organisation of assigned area of work.
5. Use the equipment correctly, reporting any faults to the Manager.
6. Be proficient with the department computer systems and ensure that accurate records are maintained ensuring findings are reported and acted upon.
7. Report any fault in the database.
8. Participate in audit, research and quality control programmes.
9. Provision of clinical information to the patient.
10. Participation in the Down screening programme.
11. Ensure that all standard operating procedures and guidelines are adhered to by all members of staff.
12. Promote a high standard of technical expertise within the unit.
13. The post holder must be able to concentrate for long periods of time during each examination the accurate interpretation of findings is essential.
14. A high level of physical skill is required by the post holder e.g. hand-eye coordination, sensory skills, sight and touch, dexterity and manipulation of the ultrasound probe. There is also a requirement for speed and accuracy.

Provide a high standard of patient care:

1. To ensure the highest standard of patient care is maintained at all times.
2. To communicate distressing and unwelcome news to patients using tact, empathy, diplomacy and persuasive skills.
3. To assist with development of departmental guidelines in order to ensure best practice is maintained.
4. To participate in the monitoring of standards.
5. To facilitate patients enquiries and concerns.
6. To ensure that the patient welfare, privacy and comfort are maintained to the highest standard of care.

Assess and report on own specialist workload:

1. To undertake a wide range of obstetric and gynaecological procedures as an independent practitioner.
2. To interpret the examination and provide a diagnostic report to the referring clinician.
3. To advise and arrange follow-up action regarding patient management.
4. To communicate effectively the results of the examination.
5. To formulate a comprehensive diagnostic report independently on a wide range of clinical conditions.
6. To be accountable, have flexibility and freedom to refer independently.
7. To effectively communicate with referring clinicians regarding the ultrasound report in order to assist with patient management.

Communicate effectively to ensure the smooth running of the service:

1. To communicate and liaise effectively with other staff within the Trust and members of the public to ensure the smooth running of the service.
2. Ensure that enquiries are dealt with promptly and efficiently.
3. To report immediately to the manager / deputy of any patient or staff complaint.
4. Liaise closely with the reception staff.
5. The post holder will assist with and encourage service development and innovation.

To supervise junior ultrasound staff, students and Clinical Fellows:

1. To supervise, mentor, train and advise students and ultrasound staff.
2. To support other disciplines within the Trust, external attachments, clinical, technical and nursing when deployed to the ultrasound department.
3. To assist in the development of staff.
4. To be a role model.

Commitment to Directorate and Trust Objectives:

1. Participate in annual IPR and CPD.
2. Take responsibility for continual professional development while liaising with the line manager for advice, guidance and allocation of appropriate resources for training and development.
3. Participate in research and development related to speciality.
4. Assist with departmental audit and quality control.
5. To attend and participate in Trust study forums within directorate.
6. The post holder will undertake reflective evaluation of practice and actively support and promote Clinical Governance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Professional Registration as a Sonographer (for example HCPC)

Experience

• At least six months working as a sonographer in the UK

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.