Job summary
The Great Western Hospital is pleased to be able to offer the opportunity to a Consultant Sonographer to join the existing team within the Radiology team to enhance the ongoing development of our service.
Are you looking to be a part of a very compassionate and supportive and caring team of Sonographers?
Then look no further; we are a supportive and close-knit team who are focused on giving the very best care to patients at all times and we would love to have you on board to join our 'work family'
No matter what your favorite field of Ultrasound is, there is always a warm welcome from our family of Sonographers at GWH.
At present we carry out over 50,000 ultrasound examinations a year including GMUS, Vascular, EPU and Obstetric exams.
The Scanning department is located within Radiology on the Ground floor of the GWH, which includes MRI and CT and Ultrasound with Radiography right next door giving us an excellent team dynamic both amongst the Sonographers and the wider Radiology team. We also have a satellite Ultrasound department for Maternity and Early pregnancy allowing more great teamwork with our Obstetric colleagues.
There are currently 11 dedicated and friendly Sonographers in our team and we need more like us, to support our bustling service. We work seamlessly alongside our 15 Radiologists who are both adjuvant and cohesive to our service.
Main duties of the job
To produce high quality, independent reports on ultrasound scans, to inform diagnosis/ treatment across all patient pathways to the same standard as a Consultant Radiologist. Therefore, they must have expert knowledge and opinion within the field of ultrasound. They will apply a high degree of professional autonomy in the decision-making process within their specialist area, and will be a champion for the service and the modality, bringing innovative solutions to patient care.
The post holder will provide expert knowledge and opinion within the field of ultrasound, specifically musculoskeletal or any other fields of interest. There is also a need for them to have specialist skills for interventions performed under ultrasound control.
The Consultant Sonographer will work totally autonomously in day-to-day practice with his / her caseload. Administration and audit time will be provided to allow reciprocal discussion with Consultant Radiologists about difficult or equivocal cases.
Be a member of the Imaging Multidisciplinary Team and to be responsible for providing technical direction, motivation and leadership in the provision of a high-quality diagnostic Imaging Service ensuring patients undergoing examinations receive a high standard of care. Undertake Research and Development and educational activities.
The job requires extensive experience and expert practice as a sonographer in a wide range of U/S examinations including within specialist fields.
About us
"Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives."
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. The post holder will be an expert practitioner within ultrasound demonstrating excellent technical skills in all aspects of ultrasound, with the exception of obstetric ultrasound. They will function at the same level as Consultant Radiologist.
2. To spend approximately 80% of the time providing direct clinical care, through clinical sessions. This involves the utilisation of highly developed specialist knowledge, critical thinking and expert decision-making skills in order to produce and review radiological images and produce highly complex and sensitive formal reports.
3. Scans performed and reported will include sub-specialist scans e.g. musculoskeletal. The post holder will be required to have or acquire specialist skills for interventions performed under ultrasound control.
4. To drive forward the boundaries of own practice and that of advanced practitioners.
5. To provide clinical leadership, consultancy and professional education as part of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This will include giving professional opinion on images and imparting highly complex information to one or more professional colleagues within multidisciplinary team meetings, justifying interpretation and advising on patient diagnosis.
6. Communication of such reports is generally in the written / electronic format, but specialist opinion may be provide orally as and when required.
7. Exercise a high degree of professional and personal autonomy, acting as a consultant practitioner, demonstrating advanced clinical competence, decision making and a knowledge base beyond those associated with conventional Advanced Practitioner Sonographer roles, thereby acting as an expert in their field.
8. To independently undertake and provide reports for ultrasound examinations to inform diagnosis / treatment in line with agreed competencies and individual defined scope of practice. This image interpretation involves exercising judgement in assessing complicated images, where the appearances may be indicative of a number of clinical conditions.
Please see the attached job description for full information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. The post holder will be an expert practitioner within ultrasound demonstrating excellent technical skills in all aspects of ultrasound, with the exception of obstetric ultrasound. They will function at the same level as Consultant Radiologist.
2. To spend approximately 80% of the time providing direct clinical care, through clinical sessions. This involves the utilisation of highly developed specialist knowledge, critical thinking and expert decision-making skills in order to produce and review radiological images and produce highly complex and sensitive formal reports.
3. Scans performed and reported will include sub-specialist scans e.g. musculoskeletal. The post holder will be required to have or acquire specialist skills for interventions performed under ultrasound control.
4. To drive forward the boundaries of own practice and that of advanced practitioners.
5. To provide clinical leadership, consultancy and professional education as part of a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This will include giving professional opinion on images and imparting highly complex information to one or more professional colleagues within multidisciplinary team meetings, justifying interpretation and advising on patient diagnosis.
6. Communication of such reports is generally in the written / electronic format, but specialist opinion may be provide orally as and when required.
7. Exercise a high degree of professional and personal autonomy, acting as a consultant practitioner, demonstrating advanced clinical competence, decision making and a knowledge base beyond those associated with conventional Advanced Practitioner Sonographer roles, thereby acting as an expert in their field.
8. To independently undertake and provide reports for ultrasound examinations to inform diagnosis / treatment in line with agreed competencies and individual defined scope of practice. This image interpretation involves exercising judgement in assessing complicated images, where the appearances may be indicative of a number of clinical conditions.
Please see the attached job description for full information.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc In Radiography or equivalent
- Post Graduate diploma in ultrasound
- Registration with the Health Professions Council
- Significant experience as an Advanced Practitioner
- MSc or equivalent level of study
Desirable
- MA / MSc or studying for such, in Ultrasound imaging
- Research module as part of MA / MSc
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment with a range of health professionals
- Experience of managing staff and difficult and sensitive people issues
- Experience as an independent practitioner
Desirable
- Proven experience and demonstration of strategic planning and ability
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of participation in clinical audit
- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
- Time management skills & ability to work within deadlines
- Ability to work autonomously and think strategically
Desirable
- Advanced negotiating, influencing and persuasive skills at all levels of the organisation.
- Evidence of leading innovation in practice
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc In Radiography or equivalent
- Post Graduate diploma in ultrasound
- Registration with the Health Professions Council
- Significant experience as an Advanced Practitioner
- MSc or equivalent level of study
Desirable
- MA / MSc or studying for such, in Ultrasound imaging
- Research module as part of MA / MSc
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment with a range of health professionals
- Experience of managing staff and difficult and sensitive people issues
- Experience as an independent practitioner
Desirable
- Proven experience and demonstration of strategic planning and ability
Skills
Essential
- Evidence of participation in clinical audit
- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
- Time management skills & ability to work within deadlines
- Ability to work autonomously and think strategically
Desirable
- Advanced negotiating, influencing and persuasive skills at all levels of the organisation.
- Evidence of leading innovation in practice
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
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).
