Clinical Specialist Sonographer

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

We are proud to provide 'Outstanding' care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.

We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £568 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.

Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people's own homes.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated 'Outstanding' and Eastbourne DGH was rated 'Good'. Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.

Recently the Trust launched its ambitious 'Building for our Future' (BFF) programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to redevelop and expand our hospitals at Eastbourne, Hastings and Bexhill, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.

Job overview

The service is run by a friendly team of 19 sonographers who rotate through General and Obstetrics departments with 12 cross-site Ultrasound Radiology Assistants. The services are run over 3 accessible sites: Eastbourne District General Hospital, Conquest Hospital and a brand-new state of the art Community Diagnostic Centre in Bexhill.

We run a range of out-patient appointment lists, in-patient services on the acute sites, and a range of one stop clinics including Early Pregnancy Assessment, Gynae, Breast Triple Assessment and Obstetric clinics, using 18 high-end ultrasound machines, which the Trust supports a timely machine replacement scheme for. We have two new reporting systems in the department, recently upgrading SECTRA PACS and ViewPoint 6 for reporting.

The ultrasound team work closely with our friendly, and supportive Radiologists and Obstetricians who promote specialist training in: Breast (including breast intervention), Head & Neck, Paediatrics (including baby hips and cranial), MSK (including interventional procedures), orbits and small parts. At ESHT we encourage and support our team to advance their ultrasound skills to include these areas. The department also actively supports training of registrars, sonographer and radiographer students.

Additionally, the ultrasound department provides opportunities for CPD, external courses and extension of administrative roles including QA, clinical audits, education officer, H&S, and managerial duties.

Main duties of the job

ESHT Trust values include Inclusivity, integrity, and kindness. We are therefore looking for a candidate who is motivated, enthusiastic and prioritises teamworking to join our friendly and specialist team. The ideal candidate will be committed to excellent patient care and high-quality imaging with patient-centred care at the forefront of their objectives.

The successful candidates would be expected to participate in the weekend and evening rota; however, a degree of flexibility is possible with many of our Sonographers working compressed hours to allow a 3- or 4-day working week.

You should be able to perform a comprehensive range of examinations including general abdominal, obstetrics (including Nuchal Translucency scanning) and gynaecology. Vascular (including Carotids and DVT scanning) and small parts.

You will be expected to work independently and issue your own reports. We welcome applications from obstetric only sonographers. CPD is actively encouraged.

Minimum Requirements

• A recognised Post Graduate CASE Accredited Ultrasound Qualification (e.g. DMU / Pg Dip / MSc)
• UK professional registration as a Radiographer with the Health Professions Council or as a Midwife / Nurse with the RCN

** Previous applicants need not apply again**

Working for our organisation

We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by 7000 + members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people's own homes.

In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated 'Outstanding'. Eastbourne DGH rated 'Good'.

In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious 'Building for our Future' programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc (hons) Diagnostic Radiography/DCR or equivalent in a health related specialty e.g. midwifery, nursing
• Postgraduate qualification in Ultrasound (PG Dip or DMU)
• HCPC or RCN Registration

Desirable criteria

• Lower - Middle Management training/qualification
• Evidence of further training at Masters Level or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

• Evidence of participation in all elements of Clinical Governance
• Staff and resource management experience

Desirable criteria

• Minimum 2 years postgraduate experience in Ultrasound
• Evidence of advanced level CPD in specialist skill area
• Evidence of wide ranging experience within specialty

Skills/knowledge/experience

Essential criteria

• Mentorship of junior staff and trainees
• Experience in undertaking audit
• Ability to perform a comprehensive range of examinations including general abdominal, obstetric, gynaecology, paediatrics, vascular, small parts, head and neck, and breast Ultrasound

Desirable criteria

• Academic teaching experience
• Deputise for lead - clinical and managerial leadership

Other

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates attention to detail and professional attitude towards completion of application form

Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Our vision is to be:

• The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex.

Our mission is to:

• Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.

Our strategic objectives are to:

• Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
• Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients' experiences.
• Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.

Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are:

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive
• Well led

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Clinical Specialist Sonographer (PDF, 302.7KB)
• Guidance for Applicants - AFC (PDF, 152.4KB)