Job summary
This is a great opportunity for a qualified AAA Screening technician to join the Sussex AAA Screening programme, working alongside a great team to support the national screening programme that reduces risk of sudden death and makes a significant impact on individuals' lives.
The primary purpose of this role is to undertake abdominal ultrasound scanning as part of the community AAA screening programme. The post holder will ensure abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures as identified by the National Screening Programme (NAAASP).
The post holder will reassure patients attending for community abdominal aortic aneurysm screening and explain the programme to them, especially where barriers to understanding exist. The post holder will ensure that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of the implications of AAA screening.
Special Conditions
It is a requirement of the role that the successful candidate will be an experienced and qualified screening technician, who may be working towards, or may have completed, the Health Screener Diploma.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work as a screening technician and use knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the abdominal aorta to identify the area to be scanned and record measurements accurately and appropriately. The role involves using ultrasound, using techniques within NAAASP standard operating procedures. The post holder will apply specialist training and experience to manipulate ultrasound machine controls to gain maximum image optimisation. You will work independently and make judgements according to experience and training. Advice and support will be available for more complex situations, however, the post holder will generally be working under their own initiative without reference to the line manager.
The successful candidate will be expected to establish good and effective working relationships with the following.
- Patients and family members/carers that attend for clinic appointments
- The Screening Coordinators and the wider screening technical and administrative team
- The Programme Director
- Clinical Skills Trainer
- Quality Assurance Lead
- The staff and management of local sites/clinics where screening takes place.
- Members of the public
- Vascular Consultants
- Clinical and other staff from different specialties including IT and Medical Imaging
About us
As the largest provider of community healthcare services in Sussex, our teams help people to plan for and manage changes to their health, supporting patients and their families to live more independently. We employ around 5000 staff and provide community services to a population of 1.3 million people.
Each year our dedicated clinicians see adult or child patients more than 2.6 million times, caring for people from their earliest moments right up to the final stages of their life.
SCFT teams deliver a range of health and care services to more than 9,000 people every day, working in care homes, clinics, intermediate care units, people's own homes, GP surgeries, schools and other community venues across the region.
Our vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community and achieving the highest level of service is our top priority.We develop and nurture our staff and recognise that they are our greatest asset.
We give them clear career pathways, support their wellbeing, recognise and value their diversity and provide them with the leadership, skills and knowledge they need to deliver the best care for our patients now and in the future.
Jobs are available in a wide variety of services, both adult and children's, and at locations across the county.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
- Apply experience and training to deliver outcome of the screening test clearly and correctly, ensuring the patient (and relative/carer) understand the outcome and any further action required.
- Observe and care for patients under investigation, liaising with administrative staff, nurses and other medical staff as appropriate in the best interest of the patient and any escorts.
- Deal with anxious patients and their relatives or carers with tact, persuasion, patience and discretion. Recognise where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding.
- Carry out other duties in accordance with the current NAAASP guidelines and project protocol including obtaining informed consent, putting patients at their ease, explaining the processes and answering queries.
- Work alongside other screening staff and support the work of the screening programme.
- Keep the Clinical Skills Trainer and Programme Coordinators informed of any difficulties and seek advice where necessary.
Planning and Organisation
- Organise and carry out ultrasound scans of the abdominal aorta in accordance with the current guidelines for scanning and programme protocols. This will be part of the training provided to the successful candidate.
- Ensure that scan results are recorded accurately onto the national screening database whilst in clinic. Download data electronically, inspect for abnormalities and flag / record as appropriate, decide on course of action from available options and send data to the screening office. Ensure that the screening office is notified as soon as possible about any results that are at variance with specified criteria or that are of concern.
- Prepare and distribute results to patients in clinic, giving further information and offering support.
- Deal with patient enquiries as appropriate, taking the initiative to prioritise work and bring to the attention of other staff any patient whose condition warrants it.
- Ensure own knowledge of AAA screening and reaccreditation is kept up to date.
- Handle incidents and medical emergencies in a professional manner, supporting other screening staff where appropriate.
Patient Care
- Undertake ultrasound scanning on patients in accordance with NAAASP protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Ensure the safety, privacy and dignity of the patient, taking into consideration any cultural/religious or other needs.
Policy and Service Development
- Work within agreed protocols and operating procedures.
- Participate in service reviews and actively put forward suggestions for service improvement.
- Observe the requirements of the risk assessment requirements whilst attending off-site clinic locations.
- Ensure that all equipment is packed away correctly at the end of clinic and is stored in a safe and secure location.
Physical & Mental Effort
There is a requirement for frequent travel within the catchment area of the programme. This can be long distances and across the counties of East & West Sussex to support all areas of the screening service.
- The post holder will also be responsible for the transportation and security of the portable ultrasound machine used in clinic. This is heavy but all reasonable precautions have been made to make transportation as easy as possible.
- Safely and accurately manoeuver equipment and patients for ultrasound scans.
- For short durations, there will be a frequent requirement for mental concentration which requires a high level of accuracy. The clinic will also involve a high degree of repetitive movement of the shoulder, wrist and neck.
- The post holder may be required to work in solo clinics without the immediate support of a colleague. Relevant assessments will have taken place and the post holder will be expected to adhere to the lone working procedures in place.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
- Apply experience and training to deliver outcome of the screening test clearly and correctly, ensuring the patient (and relative/carer) understand the outcome and any further action required.
- Observe and care for patients under investigation, liaising with administrative staff, nurses and other medical staff as appropriate in the best interest of the patient and any escorts.
- Deal with anxious patients and their relatives or carers with tact, persuasion, patience and discretion. Recognise where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding.
- Carry out other duties in accordance with the current NAAASP guidelines and project protocol including obtaining informed consent, putting patients at their ease, explaining the processes and answering queries.
- Work alongside other screening staff and support the work of the screening programme.
- Keep the Clinical Skills Trainer and Programme Coordinators informed of any difficulties and seek advice where necessary.
Planning and Organisation
- Organise and carry out ultrasound scans of the abdominal aorta in accordance with the current guidelines for scanning and programme protocols. This will be part of the training provided to the successful candidate.
- Ensure that scan results are recorded accurately onto the national screening database whilst in clinic. Download data electronically, inspect for abnormalities and flag / record as appropriate, decide on course of action from available options and send data to the screening office. Ensure that the screening office is notified as soon as possible about any results that are at variance with specified criteria or that are of concern.
- Prepare and distribute results to patients in clinic, giving further information and offering support.
- Deal with patient enquiries as appropriate, taking the initiative to prioritise work and bring to the attention of other staff any patient whose condition warrants it.
- Ensure own knowledge of AAA screening and reaccreditation is kept up to date.
- Handle incidents and medical emergencies in a professional manner, supporting other screening staff where appropriate.
Patient Care
- Undertake ultrasound scanning on patients in accordance with NAAASP protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Ensure the safety, privacy and dignity of the patient, taking into consideration any cultural/religious or other needs.
Policy and Service Development
- Work within agreed protocols and operating procedures.
- Participate in service reviews and actively put forward suggestions for service improvement.
- Observe the requirements of the risk assessment requirements whilst attending off-site clinic locations.
- Ensure that all equipment is packed away correctly at the end of clinic and is stored in a safe and secure location.
Physical & Mental Effort
There is a requirement for frequent travel within the catchment area of the programme. This can be long distances and across the counties of East & West Sussex to support all areas of the screening service.
- The post holder will also be responsible for the transportation and security of the portable ultrasound machine used in clinic. This is heavy but all reasonable precautions have been made to make transportation as easy as possible.
- Safely and accurately manoeuver equipment and patients for ultrasound scans.
- For short durations, there will be a frequent requirement for mental concentration which requires a high level of accuracy. The clinic will also involve a high degree of repetitive movement of the shoulder, wrist and neck.
- The post holder may be required to work in solo clinics without the immediate support of a colleague. Relevant assessments will have taken place and the post holder will be expected to adhere to the lone working procedures in place.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 5 GCSE or equivalent, including Human biology
- Qualified accredited AAA screening technician
- Recent professional development
Desirable
- Health Screening Diploma (working towards or completed)
Experience
Essential
- Understanding of clinical / hospital environment, patient care and confidentiality
- Experience in a caring/patient/customer focused role
- Experience as a AAA Screening technician
- Able to make unsupervised judgements on patient enquiries and awareness of when to request advice from senior staff
- Good verbal and written communication skills
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of IT requirements
- work experience involving daily use of computers and/or relevant qualification
- attention to detail/ accurate data entry skills
Skills
Essential
- Flexible and independent approach to work, ability to multi task
- Work under pressure and on own initiative
Experience
Essential
- Reliable health record
- able to move/lift ultrasound equipment and screening kit
- a full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle
- willingness to travel and transport screening equipment between units and centres
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- 5 GCSE or equivalent, including Human biology
- Qualified accredited AAA screening technician
- Recent professional development
Desirable
- Health Screening Diploma (working towards or completed)
Experience
Essential
- Understanding of clinical / hospital environment, patient care and confidentiality
- Experience in a caring/patient/customer focused role
- Experience as a AAA Screening technician
- Able to make unsupervised judgements on patient enquiries and awareness of when to request advice from senior staff
- Good verbal and written communication skills
Skills
Essential
- Good understanding of IT requirements
- work experience involving daily use of computers and/or relevant qualification
- attention to detail/ accurate data entry skills
Skills
Essential
- Flexible and independent approach to work, ability to multi task
- Work under pressure and on own initiative
Experience
Essential
- Reliable health record
- able to move/lift ultrasound equipment and screening kit
- a full clean driving licence and access to a vehicle
- willingness to travel and transport screening equipment between units and centres
