Job summary
Guy's and St Thomas's is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
It is also home to Evelina London Children's Hospital. Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. Evelina London has recently been chosen as the location for provision of the Children's Cancer Centre for London and the South-East.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
The commitment of our 25,000 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care.
Main duties of the job
There are more than thirty sonographers working in the main radiology department, with the opportunity for a varied clinical rotation in both Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals and Women's Services. Within these areas, we undertake a wide range of clinical work.
A smaller number of these sonographers also rotate through the Evelina London Children's Hospital where we undertake general abdominal scanning, gynaecological imaging, small parts (testes, thyroid and soft tissue lumps and bumps), neonatal hip scans in the context of developmental dysplasia, spinal scans and limited vascular work. We scan children from new born to 18 years of age, performing a variety of high quality ultrasound scans on paediatric patients from a variety of backgrounds and referral pathways. Ensuring accurate reports for these examinations are created, enabling the referrer to make the most appropriate decisions for the patients care.
Supervising the scanning and reports of sonographers and trainees.
This is a fixed term position covering the existing paediatric specialist sonographer. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the standard of imaging remains high across the department; this involves teaching, audit, vetting and presenting. Participation in multidisciplinary team discussions and discrepancy meetings is expected, as is a level of managerial responsibility including ensuring competencies are maintained, personal development reviews/appraisals and disciplinary proceedings.
About us
We value and are committed to developing our Sonographer workforce, with support from our Tutor Sonographer and access to a wide range of CPD and educational opportunities. During the past year, we have supported funding post graduate certificates, diplomas and Masters degrees, as well as virtual courses and webinars.Research and audit are encouraged and supported throughout the department. Sonographers have the opportunity to present audits at departmental and external meetings and study days.
This role is in receipt of short-term Recruitment & Retention Premia (RRP), which is a supplementary payment based upon market research of pay levels for this specific job. This supplementary payment is subject to annual review and may therefore change. It is not pensionable, and is not included in calculating overtime, high cost area supplement, unsocial hours payments and any other payments linked to basic pay. This premium will not be included in any payment you may receive while off sick.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Manage operational delivery of paediatric ultrasound service.
- Deputise for the superintendent ultrasonographers as required across sites dealing with the day-to-day responsibility and organisation of the service.
- Take a lead in the implementation of protocols for paediatric ultrasound and for the supervision and training of sonographers, students and radiology registrars.
- Line management role including recruitment, PDR and disciplinary procedures.
- Perform a range of diagnostic ultrasound procedures as required throughout the department, managing patient priority as appropriate.
- Ensure the highest professional and technical standards are met by all staff.
- Leading role in the governance of the department.
- To be involved in recruitment processes for students and qualified sonographers following Trust process / procedure and liaising with the appropriate Departments where required
- Manage the Ultrasound referral workload in terms of individual list management, undertaking and reporting all ultrasound examinations and make referral to the appropriate Specialists and Clinics when required. Ensure urgent findings are communicated with clinicians accordingly following the Radiology Alerts process.
- To be experienced in a range of paediatric ultrasound examinations and familiar with the relevant complementary imaging associated with these examinations. To take a lead in the performing of paediatric ultrasound within the department, working closely with the Consultant paediatric radiologists.
- Perform training, instruction and clinical scanning to a high standard whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy. Maintain intense levels of concentration during sometimes prolonged examinations.
- A clinical knowledge of gynaecology, general abdominal, limited vascular (deep vein thrombosis) and small parts ultrasound scanning is expected and, depending on experience, the post holder may rotate through the adult ultrasound department undertaking and reporting on sessional basis working as part of a team.
- Perform the technical aspects of Ultrasound scanning in a safe manner and physically adapting technique where patient presentation dictates.
- Vet referral forms and analyse the clinical information and select the most appropriate scanning techniques. This may be prior to scanning or at the time of examination.
- Leading role in quality assurance and safety checks.
- To be an effective patients advocate. To exercise the highest standard of patient care and safety, actively improving the patient experience within the Ultrasound Department.
- Review and develop ultrasound imaging protocols following Trust Clinical Governance procedures.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Manage operational delivery of paediatric ultrasound service.
- Deputise for the superintendent ultrasonographers as required across sites dealing with the day-to-day responsibility and organisation of the service.
- Take a lead in the implementation of protocols for paediatric ultrasound and for the supervision and training of sonographers, students and radiology registrars.
- Line management role including recruitment, PDR and disciplinary procedures.
- Perform a range of diagnostic ultrasound procedures as required throughout the department, managing patient priority as appropriate.
- Ensure the highest professional and technical standards are met by all staff.
- Leading role in the governance of the department.
- To be involved in recruitment processes for students and qualified sonographers following Trust process / procedure and liaising with the appropriate Departments where required
- Manage the Ultrasound referral workload in terms of individual list management, undertaking and reporting all ultrasound examinations and make referral to the appropriate Specialists and Clinics when required. Ensure urgent findings are communicated with clinicians accordingly following the Radiology Alerts process.
- To be experienced in a range of paediatric ultrasound examinations and familiar with the relevant complementary imaging associated with these examinations. To take a lead in the performing of paediatric ultrasound within the department, working closely with the Consultant paediatric radiologists.
- Perform training, instruction and clinical scanning to a high standard whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy. Maintain intense levels of concentration during sometimes prolonged examinations.
- A clinical knowledge of gynaecology, general abdominal, limited vascular (deep vein thrombosis) and small parts ultrasound scanning is expected and, depending on experience, the post holder may rotate through the adult ultrasound department undertaking and reporting on sessional basis working as part of a team.
- Perform the technical aspects of Ultrasound scanning in a safe manner and physically adapting technique where patient presentation dictates.
- Vet referral forms and analyse the clinical information and select the most appropriate scanning techniques. This may be prior to scanning or at the time of examination.
- Leading role in quality assurance and safety checks.
- To be an effective patients advocate. To exercise the highest standard of patient care and safety, actively improving the patient experience within the Ultrasound Department.
- Review and develop ultrasound imaging protocols following Trust Clinical Governance procedures.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience scanning in an NHS setting
- Paediatric US experience
- Evidence of audit / governance /policy writing
- Teaching & assessing US students
Desirable
- Experience scanning in an NHS specialist paediatric setting
Knowledge/qualification
Essential
- PgDip or MSc (or equivalent) in medical ultrasound
- Experience in a wide range of paediatric U/S examinations
Skills
Essential
- Leadership experience
- Awareness of quality & service requirements
- Team working and liaison
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience scanning in an NHS setting
- Paediatric US experience
- Evidence of audit / governance /policy writing
- Teaching & assessing US students
Desirable
- Experience scanning in an NHS specialist paediatric setting
Knowledge/qualification
Essential
- PgDip or MSc (or equivalent) in medical ultrasound
- Experience in a wide range of paediatric U/S examinations
Skills
Essential
- Leadership experience
- Awareness of quality & service requirements
- Team working and liaison
Desirable
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).
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).
