University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Trainee Echocardiographer (ETP)

The closing date is 02 June 2025

Job summary

Here at University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust we have an exciting opportunity for an 18-month fixed term full-time training post in Echocardiography. This is part of the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP) developed by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) and funded by NHS England.

Successful ETP trainees will be trained to BSE accreditation level 2 and will be awarded a Post-graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography. For more information, please see the NSHCS website athttps://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/etp/

We are also part of the Plymouth Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC) build that now has full planning permission and due to go live in the spring of 2026. We are currently looking to expand our echocardiography service with a focus on patient pathway improvement and are open to all forward thinking and innovative ideas/solutions.

As the tertiary hospital and cardio-thoracic centre for the Southwest, we provide a full range of non-invasive and invasive procedures (including a large congenital non-invasive service). We work closely with surgical teams performing structural interventions and ablations. As the regional trauma centre and a university teaching hospital we have close links with the local university.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job

  • To act as a trainee Echocardiographer performing cardiac echocardiography based diagnostic testing.
  • To work within existing local policies, procedures and guidelines providing best clinical practice.
  • To use their developed specialist knowledge and practical experience to provide clinical investigations for the provision of cardiac services.
  • To act as a source of advice and knowledge for others involved in difficult diagnostic and treatment scenarios. This can involve advising Consultants on the clinical-technical aspects of patient care / treatment.
  • To undertake routine diagnostic cardiac investigations and interpret results to provide accurate clinical reports that can be clearly understood by a physician not experienced in that particular area and adheres to local and national guidelines.
  • To continue to train and update as appropriate.
  • To become proficient and gain BSE accreditation for career advancement.
  • To assume an appropriate share in responsibilities for departmental efficiency, safety and clinical governance.

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

19 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year £37,338 - £44,962 per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-EG-M7139014

Job locations

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESULT AREAS

KRA 1 - To be working towards becoming a BSE accredited Echocardiographer and complete a pgcert in Echocardiography.

KRA 2 - As a senior practitioner to assist in developing and providing an organised and efficient clinical-technical input to the echocardiographic services of the department.

KRA 3 - As a professional Specialist Healthcare Scientist, assist in the maintenance of standards and quality of the clinical-technical echocardiographic services, including assisting training of junior staff and peers where/when appropriate.

KRA 4 - To foster and develop good working relationships through adequate, timely and appropriate communication with all other staff, and Patients, with whom the post-holder interacts during the course of their work.

PRIMARY DUTIES

1.1 Through the course of the ETP, work towards full competency (including independent performing and reporting):

Transthoracic Adult Echocardiography: Preparing and manipulating Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Contrast Echocardiography: Preparing and manipulating Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / preparing contrast agent / administering agent / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Physiological Stress Echocardiography: Patient preparation / ECG recording / BP measurements / supervising exercise / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: Patient preparation / ECG recording / BP measurements / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Trans-Oesophageal (endoscopic) Echocardiography [TOE]: Preparing Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / manipulation of probe / operating pulse oximetry equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Preparing and manipulating Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

1.2 - First-line clinical equipment maintenance

Disinfecting

Routine maintenance and troubleshooting requiring expert knowledge of equipment function.

2.0 - Recognition of significance of findings: Acting on outcomes

Prioritising clinical needs: For investigations / procedures

Giving professional guidance: To Doctors / Patients Advising on outcomes / Suggesting courses of action

Clinical decision making: Initiating further investigations & procedures / Admitting patients / without reference to other professionals in the multidisciplinary healthcare team

Final outputs: Authorising / signing-off reports (where assessed competent) = diagnosing

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY RESULT AREAS

KRA 1 - To be working towards becoming a BSE accredited Echocardiographer and complete a pgcert in Echocardiography.

KRA 2 - As a senior practitioner to assist in developing and providing an organised and efficient clinical-technical input to the echocardiographic services of the department.

KRA 3 - As a professional Specialist Healthcare Scientist, assist in the maintenance of standards and quality of the clinical-technical echocardiographic services, including assisting training of junior staff and peers where/when appropriate.

KRA 4 - To foster and develop good working relationships through adequate, timely and appropriate communication with all other staff, and Patients, with whom the post-holder interacts during the course of their work.

PRIMARY DUTIES

1.1 Through the course of the ETP, work towards full competency (including independent performing and reporting):

Transthoracic Adult Echocardiography: Preparing and manipulating Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Contrast Echocardiography: Preparing and manipulating Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / preparing contrast agent / administering agent / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Physiological Stress Echocardiography: Patient preparation / ECG recording / BP measurements / supervising exercise / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: Patient preparation / ECG recording / BP measurements / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Trans-Oesophageal (endoscopic) Echocardiography [TOE]: Preparing Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / manipulation of probe / operating pulse oximetry equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

Adult Congenital Heart Disease: Preparing and manipulating Patient / operating ultrasound scanning equipment / imaging / recording / measurements / analysis / interpretation / diagnostic reporting / signing-off.

1.2 - First-line clinical equipment maintenance

Disinfecting

Routine maintenance and troubleshooting requiring expert knowledge of equipment function.

2.0 - Recognition of significance of findings: Acting on outcomes

Prioritising clinical needs: For investigations / procedures

Giving professional guidance: To Doctors / Patients Advising on outcomes / Suggesting courses of action

Clinical decision making: Initiating further investigations & procedures / Admitting patients / without reference to other professionals in the multidisciplinary healthcare team

Final outputs: Authorising / signing-off reports (where assessed competent) = diagnosing

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • 1 year minimum post degree qualification demonstrable clinical experience.
  • Basic proven knowledge of echocardiography

Desirable

  • Proven demonstrable experience in similar role.
  • Demonstrable experience in delegating tasks and mentoring of junior staff / students

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant 2:1 BSc (Hons) or equivalent professional qualification (MSc) in Clinical Physiology or alternative relevant clinical scientific degree.

Desirable

  • Focused echocardiography qualification (BSE level 1/FICE etc) or equivalent practical experience.
Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • 1 year minimum post degree qualification demonstrable clinical experience.
  • Basic proven knowledge of echocardiography

Desirable

  • Proven demonstrable experience in similar role.
  • Demonstrable experience in delegating tasks and mentoring of junior staff / students

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant 2:1 BSc (Hons) or equivalent professional qualification (MSc) in Clinical Physiology or alternative relevant clinical scientific degree.

Desirable

  • Focused echocardiography qualification (BSE level 1/FICE etc) or equivalent practical experience.

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Cardiac Physiologist

Vicky Church

victoria.church@nhs.net

01752432141

Details

Date posted

19 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year £37,338 - £44,962 per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-EG-M7139014

Job locations

University Hospital Plymouth NHS Trust

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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