Trainee AAA Screening Technician

Job summary

AAA Screening is a fast paced, demanding environment with the team performing in excess of 20,000 ultrasound scans per year for men aged 65 years and over. Screening Technicians are expected to work and report autonomously. Challenges of the role include explaining the implications of screening, obtaining informed consent, performing ultrasound examinations and base line observations, discussing test results and providing reassurance and initial counselling when an aneurysm is identified.

The NE and N Cumbria Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Service covers a wide geographical area encompassing Northumberland, North of Tyne, South of Tyne, Durham and Darlington, Teesside, parts of North Yorkshire and North Cumbria. The post holder will be based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead but will be required to travel to all of the screening venues within the North East and Cumbria region.

No experience in ultrasound is necessary however applicants must be educated to GCSE grade A-C standard (English Language, Mathematics and Science are essential) and ideally have relevant experience of working within the healthcare sector.

Main duties of the job

The primary purpose of this role is to independently undertake abdominal ultrasound scanning and base line observations as part of the community AAA screening programme. The post holder will ensure abdominal ultrasound scanning is undertaken to a high standard and in accordance with national standard operating procedures.

The post holder will explain and reassure subjects attending the community AAA screening and surveillance clinics and explain the screening test to them. The post holder will ensure that the members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of the implications of AAA screening.

The successful applicant will undertake the Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners. This includes ultrasound training over a 6-12 month period to ensure high standards of scanning are met in accordance with national standard operating procedures, an independent assessment of ultrasound technique by an assessment centre and multiple theoretical units/e-learning.

About us

This role will suit applicants with a long term commitment to assisting in the delivery of screening services who are able to demonstrate excellent organisational skills, the capacity to remain calm under pressure and an ability to prioritise their workload. In return we offer working within a friendly, supportive team which is dedicated to delivering a high quality service.