Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Abdominal Trainee Sonographer

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated sonographer that is already qualified in Obs & Gynae ultrasound to join our team and undertake their abdominal and small parts ultrasound training.

An exciting training opportunity has arisen within the Ultrasound Team at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust to undertake Postgraduate Training in Medical Ultrasound at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated radiographer or midwife who already practises Obs and Gynae Ultrasound but wants to progress their role in abdominal and small parts ultrasound. A successful applicant is expected to have high professional standards, being able to demonstrate excellent patient skills, compassion, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills.

Applicants must hold a post graduate qualification in Obstetric & Gynaecology Ultrasound, a degree in a relevant health care field and have health care registration (HCPC/NMC). The academic component requires registration for the postgraduate course at the required university, with theoretical and practical assessments.

Any offers made to successful candidates will also be subject to the normal employment checks and a successful application to the university course.

Main duties of the job

To complete a training scheme with the aim of achieving a PgD in Medical Ultrasound that will ultimately lead to being able:

-To perform abdominal and small parts ultrasound scans in line with Departmental protocols.

-To already be competent.

-To perform obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound examinations.

-To assess and report on own ultrasound examinations and maintain appropriate records.

-To teach ultrasound to other health professionals.

-To participate in research, audit and CPD.

About us

The Trust is committed to driving excellence in care for our patients and communities and was rated good by the Care Quality Commission report published 2020 and became a University Hospital. We are ranked as the third in the country for research; embedding education and training across the organisation and we continuously strive to achieve our core values which are at the heart of everything we do. The Trusts main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, starting life as a military hospital over a century ago and now one of the largest hospitals on the south coast and you may have seen us on the TV series Nurses on the Ward. The Trust provides comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire. The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and are #ProudtobePHU; our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because its the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for providing outstanding care and support for patients, colleagues and our community you will find a home at PHU. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.

Date posted

05 April 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£41,659 to £47,672 a year Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C8192-CD-23-0416

Job locations

Queen Alexandra Hospital

Southwick Hill Road

Cosham

Portsmouth

PO6 3LY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical/Operational/Professional

To complete a training scheme with the aim of achieving a PG Dip in Medical Ultrasound that will ultimately lead to being able:

To independently undertake a wide range of ultrasound examinations in line with Local, Regional and National guidelines as an autonomous practitioner. Undertaking ultrasound scans at remote satellite ultrasound facilities where there is no immediately available Consultant Radiologist support.

To independently provide a daily acute abdominal ultrasound service to all departments at Queen Alexandra Hospital, working within own qualification & expertise.

Have a detailed knowledge of ultrasound equipment and the physics of ultrasound and be able to operate a wide range of ultrasound machines. To use this skill and knowledge to operate machines safely to produce optimum images and most accurate diagnosis. Participation in evaluation of new equipment.

To use own judgment to analyse and interpret ultrasound images in order to provide independent written reports. To give a diagnosis to the referring clinician which may directly impact on patient treatment and management; often resulting in surgical intervention. Provide specialist advice concerning the care and/or treatment of obstetric, gynaecological and abdominal patients.

Make recommendations for further scans, assessment and referral where necessary.

To report and communicate findings directly with referring Clinicians and other health professionals regarding patients ultrasound scans.

To be accountable for own professional actions including reporting ultrasound findings.

To provide ultrasound guidance for invasive ultrasound techniques such as amniocentesis, if trained to do so (not all do this).

To lead by example; promoting high standards and maintaining a high standard of clinical expertise by being a role model and point of contact for more junior staff and trainees including registrars.

To be responsible for own caseload and be able to plan and prioritise patients. Organise and co-ordinate ultrasound scans from a wide variety of referral pathways.

To supervise and manage the radiographic assistants on a daily basis.

To undertake Consultant Radiologists ultrasound lists as necessary during their absence.

To supervise and assess work of other health professionals and provide clinical ultrasound training to MSc level. Also supervise and train Radiology and Obstetric registrars.

To be responsible for safe use/ maintenance of specialist equipment used by self and others.

To have a high level of dexterity and hand/eye co-ordination as is required to obtain optimum imaging. Frequent need for intense concentration. High physical effort is required when scanning immobile acutely ill patients. An awareness of repetitive strain injury (RSI) is essential at all times.

To maintain own level of competence through continuing professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities and to maintain a portfolio of evidence in support of CPD undertaken. To take part regularly in departmental audit and clinical trials.

To regularly attend and contribute to Regional and Local Multi disciplinary team meetings i.e. Wessex Antenatal Detected Abnormalities (WANDA), peri-natal mortality meetings.

To provide sonographer led imaging to One stop clinics i.e. Haematuria clinic, Post-menopausal bleeding clinic (PMB), Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAU).

To take part in the planning and implementation of new services and strategies concerning patient care, to enhance, develop and improve patient pathways.

To be responsible for updating and correcting computerised and paper based patient records. To be responsible for checking and finalising all reported scans on the Radiology Information System (RIS).

To be competent in the safe and correct use of the departmental PACS and RIS systems.

Assist the appropriate Superintendent in identifying staff training and development needs. Including RIS, PACS, and scanning technique training.

To observe all manual handling criteria when:

-Moving patients from waiting areas into the scanning rooms.

-Transferring patients on and off the scanner tables.

-Positioning patients into the correct scanning position.

-Moving the scanner equipment.

To undertake the departmental and Trust induction programmes and maintain competency in Trust essential Skills.

To ensure a positive and professional image of the ultrasound department is presented to all users.

To report all undue events in accordance with the Trust Incident Reporting policy.

Communication

To communicate effectively and appropriately, with all users of the service, across all age groups and abilities, observing confidentiality and information governance. This will include:

-To communicate highly sensitive information to patients and relatives including fetal abnormalities, fetal death, and, if appropriate, abdominal/pelvic pathology. Ability to deal with distraught and often angry patients after imparting bad news. Counselling and bereavement skills are required on a daily basis.

-Patients, Carers & Relatives: To explain procedures, pre and post care, follow up procedures, appointments. To overcome barriers to understanding patients with special needs. To communicate sensitive/complex information to some patients.

-Radiologists: To discuss examination techniques, results and outcomes, appointments.

-Other Health Care Professionals: To discuss patient examinations, preparation and post procedure care, diagnostic results, appointments, service issues and problems.

-Wards/Depts: On any issues involving patients; on any issue affecting the provision of the Ultrasound service.

To be able to relate to all manner of patients with understanding and care, respecting their privacy and dignity to provide a caring and confidential service.

Encourage and participate in active feedback of ideas, concerns and suggestions to the appropriate level and in an appropriate forum.

Ensure all staff have access to the appropriate communication forum and are familiar with the Departments objectives, plans and relevant Trust issues.

Physical effort & Working Conditions

To regularly undertake examinations of an intimate and often unpleasant nature, i.e. transvaginal scans, early pregnancy complications, where there is exposure to bodily fluids.

Have regular exposure to distressing or emotional situations on a daily basis e.g. caring for terminally ill or badly injured patients, giving feedback of a negative nature to trainees.

Have frequent use of VDU equipment.

Have regular exposure to highly distressing situations e.g. severe trauma cases, cardiac arrest, discovering cancers.

Have frequent exposure to body fluids e.g. blood, urine etc. and infection risks and occasional exposure to fleas/lice.

Have occasional exposure to intoxicated, aggressive or abusive patients and relatives.

Have daily exposure to unpredictable workload.

Be required to position and manoeuvre patients and equipment on a daily basis. In any clinical situation, patients may be ambulant, in a wheelchair, or on a bed or stretcher. Transfer to an ultrasound couch is necessary.