Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic person to join the AAA Screening Programme undertaking the role of Clinical Skills Trainer and Quality Assurance Lead.
The Somerset and North Devon AAA Screening Programme is run by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and offers screening to all men over the age of 65. The screening test involves using an ultrasound machine to measure the aorta (the main artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body).
Although the base for the team is in the Vascular Department at Musgrove Park Hospital, the CST/QA role will involve travelling to clinics on occasion to support with training/technician review, a driving licence is essential and willingness to travel as and when required.
A pool car is available for use by the team, but it will be essential you have your own vehicle to use when the pool car is unavailable (for which expenses can be claimed).
The successful applicant will have a degree (or equivalent) in diagnostic radiography or midwifery and DMU or Pg Dip in medical ultrasound.
The post is for 7.5 hours a week, one day a week (day can be negotiated).
Main duties of the job
The main role of Quality Assurance is to: perform QA on images that are acquired by screening technicians (including random samples every month) and, perform QA on the machines themselves.
A high standard of image quality is important to ensure a robust and safe screening programme. The QA lead will carry out random image samples on each technician once a month to ensure a high standard - the maximum amount of images will be randomly quality assured to keep a high standard.
The QA lead will comment specifically on the correct patient ID, focus, calliper placement, depth and gain of the images. Comments will be given where necessary on how to improve the images and to address any comments left by the screening technicians at the time of the scan.
The CST/QA Lead is accountable to the local screening programme director and will be an advanced practitioner who holds a CASE-accredited qualification or full SVT accreditation. They will also have completed the NAAASP mandatory training for CSTs (including CAVA).
The role is responsible for staff training and regular review of staff for quality assurance. The postholder will have a minimum of two years post qualification experience.
About us
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust:endeavours to provide development opportunities for those looking to develop a career in the NHS, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Through our training programmes, individuals can earn a salary, develop their skills, and achieve a nationally recognised qualification, all whilst contributing towards delivering excellent patient care.
We have six active and impactful colleague networks. These networks provide a safe space for colleagues to share their experiences and learn from one another, but also influence change across our trust:
- Multicultural Network
- Women's Network
- Armed Forces' Network
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Lived Experience Network, for colleagues living with disabilities
- Autistic Colleague Network
As an organisation,the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The main role of Quality Assurance is to: perform QA on images that are acquired by screening technicians (including random samples every month) and, perform QA on the machines themselves. A high standard of image quality is important to ensure a robust and safe screening programme.
The QA lead will carry out random image samples on each technician once a month to ensure a high standard the maximum amount of images will be randomly quality assured to keep a high standard. The QA lead will comment specifically on the correct patient ID, focus, calliper placement, depth and gain of the images. Comments will be given where necessary on how to improve the images and to address any comments left by the screening technicians at the time of the scan.
All AAAs will be checked for accuracy and comparisons made with previous scans where relevant. Screening technicians can request any images to be reviewed by the QA lead for various reasons, including incidental findings, difficult scan, and non-vis.
All machines need regular checks and QA including visual checks of equipment, uniformity, sensitivity and calliper accuracy, daily checks to be completed by screening technicians and reported on forms provided. The QA lead will review these checks and perform regular QA checks on machines in line with QA protocol. The QA lead will perform re-screens on any patients where the screening technicians had particular difficulty in obtaining images.
QA reports will be complied and presented at 6 weekly meetings by the QA lead.
The CST/QA Lead is accountable to the local screening programme director and will be an advanced practitioner who holds a CASE-accredited qualification or full SVT accreditation. They will also have completed the NAAASP mandatory training for CSTs (including CAVA). The role is responsible for staff training and regular review of staff for quality assurance.
The postholder will have a minimum of two years post qualification experience.
Please review attached job description for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The main role of Quality Assurance is to: perform QA on images that are acquired by screening technicians (including random samples every month) and, perform QA on the machines themselves. A high standard of image quality is important to ensure a robust and safe screening programme.
The QA lead will carry out random image samples on each technician once a month to ensure a high standard the maximum amount of images will be randomly quality assured to keep a high standard. The QA lead will comment specifically on the correct patient ID, focus, calliper placement, depth and gain of the images. Comments will be given where necessary on how to improve the images and to address any comments left by the screening technicians at the time of the scan.
All AAAs will be checked for accuracy and comparisons made with previous scans where relevant. Screening technicians can request any images to be reviewed by the QA lead for various reasons, including incidental findings, difficult scan, and non-vis.
All machines need regular checks and QA including visual checks of equipment, uniformity, sensitivity and calliper accuracy, daily checks to be completed by screening technicians and reported on forms provided. The QA lead will review these checks and perform regular QA checks on machines in line with QA protocol. The QA lead will perform re-screens on any patients where the screening technicians had particular difficulty in obtaining images.
QA reports will be complied and presented at 6 weekly meetings by the QA lead.
The CST/QA Lead is accountable to the local screening programme director and will be an advanced practitioner who holds a CASE-accredited qualification or full SVT accreditation. They will also have completed the NAAASP mandatory training for CSTs (including CAVA). The role is responsible for staff training and regular review of staff for quality assurance.
The postholder will have a minimum of two years post qualification experience.
Please review attached job description for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent) in diagnostic radiography or midwifery
- DMU or Pg Dip in Medical Ultrasound
- Professional Registration
Desirable
- NAAASP Mandatory Training for CSTs (including CAVA)
Knowledge
Desirable
- Current developments within the AAA Screening Programme and their likely impact on imaging provision
Experience
Essential
- NHS Experience
- Previous abdominal scanning
- Post qualification experience
Desirable
- Prior experience in AAA Screening QA
Planning and Organisation
Essential
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Decisive
- Able to work independently
Physical Skills
Essential
- Manual dexterity
- Excellent hand to eye co-ordination
Other
Essential
- Car owner/driver
- Ability to work as part of a team
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent) in diagnostic radiography or midwifery
- DMU or Pg Dip in Medical Ultrasound
- Professional Registration
Desirable
- NAAASP Mandatory Training for CSTs (including CAVA)
Knowledge
Desirable
- Current developments within the AAA Screening Programme and their likely impact on imaging provision
Experience
Essential
- NHS Experience
- Previous abdominal scanning
- Post qualification experience
Desirable
- Prior experience in AAA Screening QA
Planning and Organisation
Essential
- Good organisational and planning skills
- Decisive
- Able to work independently
Physical Skills
Essential
- Manual dexterity
- Excellent hand to eye co-ordination
Other
Essential
- Car owner/driver
- Ability to work as part of a team
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
