Job summary
We have an exciting new role for a motivated advanced practice level radiographer with extensive experience in a wide area of specialist ultrasound applications. The role is based within our friendly Community Hospital at Bognor Regis, where the successful post holder will work closely with the imaging department lead.
- The post holder provides managerial responsibility for a comprehensive, safe, efficient and effective ultrasound service.
- The individual will provide leadership and operational management for the specialist service, delivering high quality clinical care.
- They will demonstrate a high or advanced level of clinical expertise within the modality providing advice, education and support to staff and other key stakeholders.
- This role combines leadership, clinical delivery, and development of the clinical team, whilst ensuring best practice.
- The post holder will assist the imaging services manager in organising the diagnostic imaging department, ensuring recognised best practice guidelines and protocols are in place and adhered to.
- The post holder will provide leadership for the clinical development of professional ultrasound staff, inclusive of advanced practice AHP colleagues and through audit provide assurance for clinical delivery.
Main duties of the job
- To provide leadership on a clinical, professional and technical basis to staff delivering the Ultrasonography Service and to maintain a relevant continuing knowledge base for this purpose.
- Manage own caseload and clinical priorities according to agreed protocols, working practices, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and CQC compliance.
- Report any issues with quality and safety immediately to Quality & Safety Lead / Imaging Lead and Clinical service manager.
- Use professional judgement to act as an advocate for patients to ensure a patient focused approach to the delivery of care.
- Support and enable patients and carers to make informed decisions relating to their examination, intervention and management.
- Report and raise concerns related to Safeguarding, accessing advice and support as required. Be conversant with Trust policies for safeguarding including the assessment of mental capacity, and consideration of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) and the application of the principles of Prevent (counter terrorism awareness).
- Ensure that high standards of all documentation are maintained, with accurate, complete and up-to-date information regarding patient care are kept in accordance with Trust and Directorate standards.
- Demonstrate and maintain a knowledge of a wide range of procedures in order to develop, implement and assess protocols based on evidence based practice.
About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex. Our 6,000 staff serve a population of 1.3 million providing essential medical, nursing, and therapeutic care to adults and children.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, helping people plan, manage, adapt to changes in their health, supporting avoidable hospital admissions and reducing hospital stay times.
We have opportunities for everyone across our wide variety of services including medical, clinical, support and corporate services.
Why work for us?
- Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, scoring highly in compassionate culture & leadership, and staff wellbeing support
- Variety of working environments across the community, in patients' homes, within our community hospitals and bases across the county
- Supportive flexible working patterns such as: part time, flexi time, annualised hours, and flexi retirement options
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- Research opportunities
- Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
- Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
- Level 3 accredited Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating inclusive workplaces
- Veteran Aware Trust, achieving accreditation from Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
- Located in stunning Sussex, with easy access to the South Downs and the coast
- Access to a wide range of benefits and discounts for NHS staff
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide highly visible and accessible professional leadership, demonstrating expert knowledge and standards of clinical practice, promoting multidisciplinary team and collaborative working practices within the diagnostic imaging department, internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure the radiation safety of individuals in the working environment.
- To ensure compliance with all statutory requirements with particular regard to health and safety legislation, policies and procedures and all corporate policies, inclusive of the guidelines for professional ultrasound practice 2021 (SoR and BMUS).
- To undertake regular clinical safety audits and performance review informing department lead, senior operational leadership and AHP governance lead for assurance and for review at finance, performance and quality senior leadership meetings.
- Act as a clinical role model demonstrating high standards of clinical practice and provide support or advice to Ultrasonography staff within the imaging department and wider Coastal Sussex Integrated Musculoskeletal service when necessary.
- Actively participate in and lead service / departmental projects, quality initiatives and statutory accreditation processes, inclusive of the setting and monitoring of clinical standards of care. This may include arranging rotas in partnership with service lead, arranging and chairing meetings, involvement with formal projects via the Programme Management Office (PMO), and responsibilities such as acting as project lead for Imaging team programmes of work.
- Maintain an awareness of professional and ethical issues to ensure care is delivered in a professional timely and courteous manner by all members of the team, respecting the different spiritual and cultural backgrounds of colleagues, patients and relatives.
- To be responsible for all ultrasonography staff, inclusive of trained, trainees and support workers. This includes recruitment and line management, eg supervision, appraisal, competency development and
- To triage referrals into the Ultrasonography service, being responsible for the justification of Ultrasound requests and directing to appropriate clinician within the required clinical need category for assessment appointment.
- To utilise highly specialist diagnostic assessment and reporting skills within own caseload to determine pathology and supervise, mentor and develop clinical colleagues.
- To support colleagues in review of diagnostic investigations through discussion and defer to consultant where necessary when dealing with uncertain findings.
- To accept responsibility for a designated clinical caseload with a range of conditions, taking into account multi-factorial needs.
- Maintain and develop own clinical and professional knowledge, skills and competence.
- To manage risk in unpredictable, uncertain situations to uphold patient safety, including by referring onto other team members and to specialist services, as needed.
- Participate in benchmarking, quality assurance and audit activities as an essential part of developing clinical effectiveness, monitoring professional standards and lead by example in the process of developing, implementing and maintaining clinical standards within area.
- To communicate with patients, clients and visitors in a polite and respectful manner reflecting their level of understanding and taking into account any barriers
- To communicate and liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team in a polite and professional manner relating to patient management and care.
- To notify the referrer of any abnormal findings in an appropriate manner within guidelines.
- To be able to work independently within a clearly defined set of department protocols and make informed clinical decisions in the absence of a Radiologist.
- To be competent in the use of the Radiology Information and PACS Systems in order to access work list transfer images to PACS and to report scan results.
- To be responsible for the safe use of highly expensive and complex equipment.
- To be a member of a professional body and to hold relevant registration complying with the standards and guidelines of professional practice, education and conduct and must act at all times within the boundary of the code of conduct.
- To Supervise, and advise ultrasound staff regarding technical performance and guide the decision process should a change of practice / method be required for tests performed.
- To provide advice to Medical/Nursing and other Clinical Professional staff on matters relating to the ultrasound service.
- To provide highly specialist advice on the appropriateness of tests and interpretation of results.
- To provide highly specialist advice on complex issues concerning the appropriateness of examinations, patient preparation, result interpretation and any other factors enabling the correct production of relevant diagnostic information.
- To supervise and advise specialist ultrasound staff and radiographers regarding external QC performance and guide the decision process should a change of practice/method be required for tests performed.
- Advises on the suitability of new consumables, technology and techniques in the context of service need.
- To undertake research and development of new methods and advise on changes required in practice for implementation.
- To be prepared to undertake regular quality assurance checks and to document the outcome
- To assist the service to meet the standards for the Care Quality Commission standards and comply with relevant NICE guidelines.
- To undertake training as necessary in line with the requirements of the post and to maintain competence as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development planning process.
- To fully participate in the Trusts appraisal system review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
- To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team.
- To report any incidents involving staff, patients or visitors to the Imaging Manager.
- To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role, including project work internal job rotation and absence cover
- To ensure the efficient operation of all equipment operated within the Service, reporting malfunctions immediately and ensure appropriate action is taken to rectify and repair the fault.
- To advise on the suitability of new technology and techniques in the context of service need and practice.
- Provide direction to staff within the Service regarding Internal and External Quality Assessment .
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Provide highly visible and accessible professional leadership, demonstrating expert knowledge and standards of clinical practice, promoting multidisciplinary team and collaborative working practices within the diagnostic imaging department, internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure the radiation safety of individuals in the working environment.
- To ensure compliance with all statutory requirements with particular regard to health and safety legislation, policies and procedures and all corporate policies, inclusive of the guidelines for professional ultrasound practice 2021 (SoR and BMUS).
- To undertake regular clinical safety audits and performance review informing department lead, senior operational leadership and AHP governance lead for assurance and for review at finance, performance and quality senior leadership meetings.
- Act as a clinical role model demonstrating high standards of clinical practice and provide support or advice to Ultrasonography staff within the imaging department and wider Coastal Sussex Integrated Musculoskeletal service when necessary.
- Actively participate in and lead service / departmental projects, quality initiatives and statutory accreditation processes, inclusive of the setting and monitoring of clinical standards of care. This may include arranging rotas in partnership with service lead, arranging and chairing meetings, involvement with formal projects via the Programme Management Office (PMO), and responsibilities such as acting as project lead for Imaging team programmes of work.
- Maintain an awareness of professional and ethical issues to ensure care is delivered in a professional timely and courteous manner by all members of the team, respecting the different spiritual and cultural backgrounds of colleagues, patients and relatives.
- To be responsible for all ultrasonography staff, inclusive of trained, trainees and support workers. This includes recruitment and line management, eg supervision, appraisal, competency development and
- To triage referrals into the Ultrasonography service, being responsible for the justification of Ultrasound requests and directing to appropriate clinician within the required clinical need category for assessment appointment.
- To utilise highly specialist diagnostic assessment and reporting skills within own caseload to determine pathology and supervise, mentor and develop clinical colleagues.
- To support colleagues in review of diagnostic investigations through discussion and defer to consultant where necessary when dealing with uncertain findings.
- To accept responsibility for a designated clinical caseload with a range of conditions, taking into account multi-factorial needs.
- Maintain and develop own clinical and professional knowledge, skills and competence.
- To manage risk in unpredictable, uncertain situations to uphold patient safety, including by referring onto other team members and to specialist services, as needed.
- Participate in benchmarking, quality assurance and audit activities as an essential part of developing clinical effectiveness, monitoring professional standards and lead by example in the process of developing, implementing and maintaining clinical standards within area.
- To communicate with patients, clients and visitors in a polite and respectful manner reflecting their level of understanding and taking into account any barriers
- To communicate and liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team in a polite and professional manner relating to patient management and care.
- To notify the referrer of any abnormal findings in an appropriate manner within guidelines.
- To be able to work independently within a clearly defined set of department protocols and make informed clinical decisions in the absence of a Radiologist.
- To be competent in the use of the Radiology Information and PACS Systems in order to access work list transfer images to PACS and to report scan results.
- To be responsible for the safe use of highly expensive and complex equipment.
- To be a member of a professional body and to hold relevant registration complying with the standards and guidelines of professional practice, education and conduct and must act at all times within the boundary of the code of conduct.
- To Supervise, and advise ultrasound staff regarding technical performance and guide the decision process should a change of practice / method be required for tests performed.
- To provide advice to Medical/Nursing and other Clinical Professional staff on matters relating to the ultrasound service.
- To provide highly specialist advice on the appropriateness of tests and interpretation of results.
- To provide highly specialist advice on complex issues concerning the appropriateness of examinations, patient preparation, result interpretation and any other factors enabling the correct production of relevant diagnostic information.
- To supervise and advise specialist ultrasound staff and radiographers regarding external QC performance and guide the decision process should a change of practice/method be required for tests performed.
- Advises on the suitability of new consumables, technology and techniques in the context of service need.
- To undertake research and development of new methods and advise on changes required in practice for implementation.
- To be prepared to undertake regular quality assurance checks and to document the outcome
- To assist the service to meet the standards for the Care Quality Commission standards and comply with relevant NICE guidelines.
- To undertake training as necessary in line with the requirements of the post and to maintain competence as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development planning process.
- To fully participate in the Trusts appraisal system review and personal development planning process on an annual basis.
- To contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team.
- To report any incidents involving staff, patients or visitors to the Imaging Manager.
- To undertake any other duties at the request of the line manager which are commensurate with the role, including project work internal job rotation and absence cover
- To ensure the efficient operation of all equipment operated within the Service, reporting malfunctions immediately and ensure appropriate action is taken to rectify and repair the fault.
- To advise on the suitability of new technology and techniques in the context of service need and practice.
- Provide direction to staff within the Service regarding Internal and External Quality Assessment .
Person Specification
Qualification and registration
Essential
- Degree level qualification in radiography or equivalent professional radiography qualification.
- Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma/ MSc in Medical Ultrasound.
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration.
- Knowledge of advanced practice within a wide area of specialist ultrasound applications.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive advanced clinical experience post qualification.
- Experience of supervising and training sonographers and trainee sonographers at M-level.
- Use of PACS, RIS and CR Systems at key user level.
- Continuous professional development in ultrasound substantiated by personal portfolio. Evidence of clinical competency.
Desirable
- Experience of advanced ultrasound clinical practice e.g. MSK, vascular, interventional.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced ultrasound skills with ability to undertake, asses and report own caseload of patients requiring ultrasound examinations.
- Ability to work autonomously, to organise ultrasonography clinical service, workload and make informed clinical decisions.
- Ability to interpret ultrasound scans, report on patients' conditions and make appropriate diagnosis
- Experience of audit, research, quality improvement and assurance.
- Teaching and presentation skills with experience of mentoring students and trained staff
- Ability to communicate highly complex sensitive or technical information. using developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, empathetic or reassurance skills as required, including with patients who may have difficulty in understanding.
- Ability to deal with difficult situations where there is a barrier to understanding or a highly emotive atmosphere.
- Willingness to develop and teach others.
- Lateral thinker and problem solver
- Able to work alone and as a team member
- Good time management
- Knowledge of IT systems inclusive of Word, Teams, Excel, PACS, CRIS.
Person Specification
Qualification and registration
Essential
- Degree level qualification in radiography or equivalent professional radiography qualification.
- Post Graduate Certificate/Diploma/ MSc in Medical Ultrasound.
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration.
- Knowledge of advanced practice within a wide area of specialist ultrasound applications.
Experience
Essential
- Extensive advanced clinical experience post qualification.
- Experience of supervising and training sonographers and trainee sonographers at M-level.
- Use of PACS, RIS and CR Systems at key user level.
- Continuous professional development in ultrasound substantiated by personal portfolio. Evidence of clinical competency.
Desirable
- Experience of advanced ultrasound clinical practice e.g. MSK, vascular, interventional.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced ultrasound skills with ability to undertake, asses and report own caseload of patients requiring ultrasound examinations.
- Ability to work autonomously, to organise ultrasonography clinical service, workload and make informed clinical decisions.
- Ability to interpret ultrasound scans, report on patients' conditions and make appropriate diagnosis
- Experience of audit, research, quality improvement and assurance.
- Teaching and presentation skills with experience of mentoring students and trained staff
- Ability to communicate highly complex sensitive or technical information. using developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, empathetic or reassurance skills as required, including with patients who may have difficulty in understanding.
- Ability to deal with difficult situations where there is a barrier to understanding or a highly emotive atmosphere.
- Willingness to develop and teach others.
- Lateral thinker and problem solver
- Able to work alone and as a team member
- Good time management
- Knowledge of IT systems inclusive of Word, Teams, Excel, PACS, CRIS.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
