Trainee congenital echocardiographer

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

At UHS we have a unique and exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic cardiac physiologist to join the congenital echocardiography team. This role will provide training for the individual to develop an expertise in congenital cardiac physiology, specialising in paediatric and adult congenital transthoracic echocardiography, whilst maintaining their adult echocardiography skills and supporting the adult echocardiography department.

We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in congenital cardiac physiology, and who is dedicated and motivated to learn and develop their echocardiography skills and knowledge. You will be working with neonates, children and adults of all ages in highly stressful and acute situations so excellent communication and interpersonal skills will be essential. The role will involve self-directed learning as well as working within the adult echocardiography team therefore a highly driven, organised and conscientious person will be required.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

About us

What we can offer you

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Date posted

31 August 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£33,706 to £40,588 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

188-NM3768

Job locations

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO14 2AA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Your Responsibilities What youll do

Perform and report adult transthoracic echocardiograms to a high standard as per BSE guidelines

Undergo training to perform, interpret and report advanced transthoracic echocardiography in children and adults with congenital heart disease

Work towards EACVI Congenital Echocardiography accreditation

Maintain skills in another area of cardiac physiology to prevent RSI (e.g. Non-invasive cardiology (Holter analysis/Provocative testing))

University Hospital Southampton is a tertiary adult and paediatric/congenital centre. We are a BSE accredited department performing over 30 000 transthoracic echocardiograms (of which 25% are congenital) a year. We have a diverse team of specialist and highly specialist cardiac physiologists who are involved with a range of specialist roles including physiologist-led TOE, supporting interventional cases (PFO/ASD closures), physiologist led valve clinics and contract echocardiography.

Our department operates Monday to Saturday, with full time staff working 4 days per week. You will be asked to participate in the Saturday and Bank Holiday working on a rotational basis. You may be asked to work off-site, at community or peripheral clinics.

What were looking for
  • An individual with a good foundational knowledge of echocardiography including physics and instrumentation, the BSE minimum transthoracic dataset and methods to assess a broad range of common cardiac pathology.
  • Enthusiasm, a keen interest and commitment to congenital cardiac physiology
  • Desire to work with children

In addition to these attributes, you must hold a suitable qualification (BSc Clinical Physiology or equivalent) with at least 1 year post qualification experience in echocardiography. BSE accreditation in adult transthoracic echocardiography or equivalent is desirable but not essential. We would expect you to be working towards BSE or EACVI accreditation.

Applicants should be highly self-motivated and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

Additional information

Interviews will be held on Thursday, 20 October 2022

Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Your Responsibilities What youll do

Perform and report adult transthoracic echocardiograms to a high standard as per BSE guidelines

Undergo training to perform, interpret and report advanced transthoracic echocardiography in children and adults with congenital heart disease

Work towards EACVI Congenital Echocardiography accreditation

Maintain skills in another area of cardiac physiology to prevent RSI (e.g. Non-invasive cardiology (Holter analysis/Provocative testing))

University Hospital Southampton is a tertiary adult and paediatric/congenital centre. We are a BSE accredited department performing over 30 000 transthoracic echocardiograms (of which 25% are congenital) a year. We have a diverse team of specialist and highly specialist cardiac physiologists who are involved with a range of specialist roles including physiologist-led TOE, supporting interventional cases (PFO/ASD closures), physiologist led valve clinics and contract echocardiography.

Our department operates Monday to Saturday, with full time staff working 4 days per week. You will be asked to participate in the Saturday and Bank Holiday working on a rotational basis. You may be asked to work off-site, at community or peripheral clinics.

What were looking for
  • An individual with a good foundational knowledge of echocardiography including physics and instrumentation, the BSE minimum transthoracic dataset and methods to assess a broad range of common cardiac pathology.
  • Enthusiasm, a keen interest and commitment to congenital cardiac physiology
  • Desire to work with children

In addition to these attributes, you must hold a suitable qualification (BSc Clinical Physiology or equivalent) with at least 1 year post qualification experience in echocardiography. BSE accreditation in adult transthoracic echocardiography or equivalent is desirable but not essential. We would expect you to be working towards BSE or EACVI accreditation.

Applicants should be highly self-motivated and possess excellent interpersonal skills.

Additional information

Interviews will be held on Thursday, 20 October 2022

Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.

Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

  • BSc or MSc Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) OR HNC/ HTEC in Medical Physics/Physiological Measurement plus specialist courses and equivalent experience OR equivalent
  • Working towards British Society of Echocardiography TTE Level 2 Accreditation, (or other MSc equivalent in relevant cardiac specialty) and/or Working towards EACVI Congenital Heart Disease Echocardiography Accreditation
  • Able to obtain images, relevant measurements and produce a written report for an adult TTE as per the BSE minimum dataset
  • A committed, in depth interest in Congenital Echocardiography and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment
  • Immediate Life Support Course

Desirable

  • RCCP / HCPC registration or equivalent

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

  • Broad knowledge of a wide range of tests and techniques performed by Cardiac Clinical Physiologists
  • Superior knowledge of specialist area - able to interpret complex procedures
  • Consolidated post qualification experience in a technical role within a cardiology department (providing evidence of competency achievement)
  • Good understanding of the overall service requirements and of own role in the maintenance of an efficient service
  • In depth knowledge of the range of equipment to ensure accurate recording and testing

Desirable

  • Experience of research and development and/or clinical audit
  • Teaching experience
  • Management experience

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills - able to clearly and appropriately convey instructions to patients
  • Good teaching skills - able to adapt level of teaching appropriately
  • A definite awareness of the boundaries in which to operate with an appreciation of own limitations
  • Ability to work autonomously in the planning and execution of their own work and under the guidance of their Departmental Supervisors
  • Effective team worker, willing to adopt a role working in collaboration with others
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills
  • Excellent patient approach
  • Able to use initiative
  • Able to competently perform role in emergency situations and to maintain concentration and composure in highly stressful situations
  • Dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for the use of diagnostic equipment often under time limitations e.g. when performing tests on children

Desirable

  • Contributes actively towards service development and improvement in specialist area

Values and behaviours

Essential

  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together
  • Empathic
  • Conscientious - attention to detail required when processing test results
  • Reliable
  • Excellent patient manner with adults and children

Desirable

  • Innovative - able to identify better ways of working or potential for improvement in systems and procedures

Special requirements of the post

Essential

  • Able to participate with Saturday and Bank Holiday working
Person Specification

Qualifications / training required

Essential

  • BSc or MSc Clinical Physiology (Cardiology) OR HNC/ HTEC in Medical Physics/Physiological Measurement plus specialist courses and equivalent experience OR equivalent
  • Working towards British Society of Echocardiography TTE Level 2 Accreditation, (or other MSc equivalent in relevant cardiac specialty) and/or Working towards EACVI Congenital Heart Disease Echocardiography Accreditation
  • Able to obtain images, relevant measurements and produce a written report for an adult TTE as per the BSE minimum dataset
  • A committed, in depth interest in Congenital Echocardiography and its application to direct clinical care of patients in a clinical environment
  • Immediate Life Support Course

Desirable

  • RCCP / HCPC registration or equivalent

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential

  • Broad knowledge of a wide range of tests and techniques performed by Cardiac Clinical Physiologists
  • Superior knowledge of specialist area - able to interpret complex procedures
  • Consolidated post qualification experience in a technical role within a cardiology department (providing evidence of competency achievement)
  • Good understanding of the overall service requirements and of own role in the maintenance of an efficient service
  • In depth knowledge of the range of equipment to ensure accurate recording and testing

Desirable

  • Experience of research and development and/or clinical audit
  • Teaching experience
  • Management experience

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills - able to clearly and appropriately convey instructions to patients
  • Good teaching skills - able to adapt level of teaching appropriately
  • A definite awareness of the boundaries in which to operate with an appreciation of own limitations
  • Ability to work autonomously in the planning and execution of their own work and under the guidance of their Departmental Supervisors
  • Effective team worker, willing to adopt a role working in collaboration with others
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills
  • Excellent patient approach
  • Able to use initiative
  • Able to competently perform role in emergency situations and to maintain concentration and composure in highly stressful situations
  • Dexterity, co-ordination and sensory skills for the use of diagnostic equipment often under time limitations e.g. when performing tests on children

Desirable

  • Contributes actively towards service development and improvement in specialist area

Values and behaviours

Essential

  • Patients First
  • Always Improving
  • Working Together
  • Empathic
  • Conscientious - attention to detail required when processing test results
  • Reliable
  • Excellent patient manner with adults and children

Desirable

  • Innovative - able to identify better ways of working or potential for improvement in systems and procedures

Special requirements of the post

Essential

  • Able to participate with Saturday and Bank Holiday working

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO14 2AA


Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO14 2AA


Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Echocardiography lead

Charlotte Atkinson

Charlotte.atkinson@uhs.nhs.uk

02381208063

Date posted

31 August 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£33,706 to £40,588 a year pa

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

188-NM3768

Job locations

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO14 2AA


Supporting documents

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