Sonographer

As a sonographer at Whittington Health, you will be at the forefront of providing exemplary patient care through the skilled performance and accurate reporting of ultrasound examinations, as prescribed by healthcare professionals. Adherence to our established departmental protocols and procedures is paramount, as we strive together to elevate the quality of patient care to its highest standard through dedicated personal action and a commitment to ongoing improvement.

Core Responsibilities:

• You will conduct a comprehensive range of ultrasound examinations, including but not limited to abdominal, renal, gynaecological, testicular, thyroid, abdominal wall, groin, and MSK scans, ensuring each patient receives the utmost care and accurate diagnostic information.
• You will be expected to participate in the extended working day and working weekends where necessary as per AfC terms and conditions.

Important note about pay:

All sonographers will be paid a retention premium and an additional reporting allowance based on skill set.

A retention premia of £2K per year (pro rata) will be paid to all sonographers.

A reporting allowance will be paid to all sonographers based on skill set.

Main duties of the job:

Provide a professionally competent Ultrasound service to patients in a safe clinical environment.

Provide a caring, confidential diagnostic service to all patients, ensuring their dignity and privacy are not compromised.

About us:

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences.

Job responsibilities:

Main Duties/Key Results Areas:

Act independently in the assessment of referrals for Ultrasound examinations, taking full responsibility for the justification of Ultrasound examinations. Supervise Sonographers in this process if required.

• Maintain a high level of expertise in the safe operation of Ultrasound equipment and manage faults effectively.
• To comply with and contribute to the implementation of departmental and professional policies and procedures such as:
• Health & Safety including risk assessment and COSHH
• ALARA principles
• Quality Assurance Program
• Clinical Effectiveness
• Clinical Audit
• To be able to exercise personal responsibility and make decisions in complex and unpredictable circumstances e.g. Prioritising patients according to clinical need in an ultrasound and radiological situation.

• To work as part of a team within the Imaging Department and the wider Trust environment to ensure effective communication and delivery of care.
• To work in a team under challenging circumstances always maintaining a calm and collaborative manner.
• To raise issues appropriately and face to face with relevant individuals to resolve conflict keeping the organisational iCARE behaviours uppermost.

MANAGEMENT DUTIES:

• Provide leadership and supervision to more junior grades in difficult situations such as very busy periods and with patients requiring multiple examinations.
• To be responsible for the care and safe handling of equipment and accessories in the area of work.
• To ensure that equipment faults are recorded appropriately and reported to the relevant Lead Sonographer.
• To trouble-shoot equipment faults and make suitable provision for the service in the event of equipment failure. Notifying the relevant senior member of staff in the area.
• To provide advice and reassurance to more junior members of staff and assist in their handling of patients' concerns.
• To provide help and advice to more junior staff in prioritising their work and delegate other non-clinical tasks.
• To maintain a high level of expertise in the safe operation of Imaging equipment and manage faults effectively per departmental policy and procedure.
• To assist in implementing and developing service protocols and audit programmes within the Ultrasound Department.
• To act independently in the assessment of referrals for Ultrasound examinations, taking full responsibility for the justification of ALARA principles. Supervise Sonographers in this process if required.
• To maintain knowledge of technological and technical advances in methods of diagnostic Imaging in order to promote a culture of continuous improvement within the department.
• To delegate appropriate tasks and supervise more junior Sonographers and Sonographic Helpers to achieve the desired quality of patient care.
• To be actively involved in the training and assessment of student sonographers, Radiographers and other learners on clinical placement, always providing direct supervision. Maintain the required knowledge and skills to provide effective training, keeping up to date with current advances in technology and diagnostic techniques.
• To manage competing demands including a requirement to take accountability for own list which includes explanations to patients regarding delays or re-bookings.
• To ensure that time and slots are used effectively and efficiently maximising capacity where possible.

CLINICAL DUTIES:

• To perform abdominal, renal, gynaecological, testicular, thyroid, abdominal wall, groin, and MSK ultrasound examinations, in accordance with the departmental policies and protocols, having first assessed the clinical requirement.
• To provide a formal report of the ultrasound findings according to an agreed protocol.
• To provide expert clinical advice to clinicians for gynaecological, general, testicular, groin, abdominal wall, MSK, and thyroid examinations either verbally or via a written report.
• To obtain patient consent and co-operation for examinations in accordance with the Patients Charter and departmental policies.
• To prioritise workload depending on the clinical condition of the patient and the direct impact on their management. Organise Ultrasound or Radiographic cover appropriately.
• To be responsible for referring patients for follow-up examinations for both ultrasound and other imaging modalities when clinically necessary.
• To develop knowledge and understanding within an evidence-based framework and transfer to situations encountered in practice.
• To present educational material to colleagues on a regular basis.
• To provide advice to more junior staff on guidelines for relevant Ultrasound examinations.
• To maintain accurate patient records with proper use of the departmental systems and procedures, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
• To participate in mandatory training and actively pursue Continuous Professional Development, keeping an up-to-date personal record.
• Liaise with fellow healthcare workers and referring clinicians to provide a high-quality imaging service to patients.
• Provide advice to clinicians on the nature of a diagnostic image either verbally or via telephone/email to identify pathology.
• Maintain accurate patient records by input of accurate information to reflect the service provided and meet professional standards, in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
• Have skill in adapting imaging technique for patients with injuries and illness, and utilise developed motivational and persuasive skills to acquire correct position and reduce mobility to produce an acceptable diagnostic image.
• Develop knowledge and understanding within an evidence-based framework and transfer to situations encountered in practice.
• Consult with senior sonographers who will be available on a daily basis and provide direct supervision and training when required.
• Participate in appraisals undertaken by the Superintendent or Senior Sonographer in order to agree an annual performance development plan.

TEACHING AND TRAINING DUTIES:

• To participate in the induction and training of new staff and support the undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
• To assist in the training of sonography and medical staff in specialised areas.
• To provide assistance and be actively involved in departmental projects and audits.
• To attend mandatory training.
• To actively pursue training courses/study days applicable to the role in order to maintain a high level of expertise and current knowledge.
• Using knowledge and skills attained through experience, training, and CPD be actively involved in the training and development of more junior members of staff.

Person Specification:

Qualifications:

Essential:

• PgC or higher in Ultrasound (or equivalent).

Desirable:

• MSc in Ultrasound.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Evidence of involvement in audit PgC or equivalent in appropriate reporting modality.
• DCR or degree in Radiography.

Experience:

Essential:

• Experience across a wide range of ultrasound examinations including gynaecological, general, testicular, thyroid, groin, abdominal wall, and MSK.
• Proficiency in MSK ultrasound.
• Experience of teaching/training.
• Understanding of IM&T systems in Radiology.

Desirable:

• At least 3 years NHS experience.

Knowledge:

Essential:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including a professional telephone manner.
• Ability to demonstrate good working relationships with staff of all grades/professional groups.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership and willingness to help others grow.

Desirable:

• Medway.
• Sectra RIS/PACS.
• Develop, and deliver presentations.
• Ability to contribute to the development of sonographic procedures/processes.

Employer details:

Employer name:

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address:

Whittington Health NHS Trust

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

220-WHT-2874