Leeds Teaching Hospitals

AAA Screening Technician (XR04)

This job is now closed

Job summary

Abdominal Aortic Aneurym (AAA) Screening Technician (Band 4) - 2 Days Per Week (15 hours)

and

Abdominal Aortic Aneurym (AAA) Screening Clerk (Band 2) - 2 Days Per Week or (15 hours)

(Band 4 = 15 hours per week and Band 2 = 15 hours per week)

An opportunity has arisen to join the well-established and extremely successful Central Yorkshire Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening Programme that is based at Seacroft Hospital, Leeds. This 30 hour per week split post consists of (Screening Technician (Band 4) - 2 Days Per Week (15 hours) and Screening Clerk (Band 2) - 2 Days Per Week or (15 hour). This dual post is permanent, and you will work in community clinics and secondary care facilities around the Leeds, Dewsbury and Wakefield areas, screening men aged 65 years and older using ultrasound technology to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms to help save lives. There will also be clerical commitments at the teams headquarters at Seacroft Hospital, Leeds. We will offer you formal training in AAA screening, including the use of ultrasound and will support you acquire the mandatory Diploma for Health Screeners qualification. The initial screening training is for a period of between 6 to 9 months and training is delivered locally. This will lead to a formal assessment to confirm clinical competency as an independent screening technician. Running parallel to this will be the Diploma for Health Screeners qualification that will take on average 12 to 18 months to complete.

Main duties of the job

This post is split into 2 distinct roles of AAA Screening Technician and Screening Clerk, although there will be some overlap. The combined hours are 30 hours per week, and this is required over 4 or 5 days, however there is possibly some flexibility with this. You will be required to work on multiple sites across the Leeds and Wakefield areas so use of a car is essential. You will be expected to work to a rota (that may sometimes involve early mornings and evenings and long days) and occasional weekends. No formal healthcare qualifications are required although experience of working with the public is desirable, preferably in a health or social care context. The most important attributes you will bring to the post are a strong commitment to health and to excellence in care provision, first-rate communication skills and a willingness and ability to be part of an established flexible team. Interview date to be confirmed.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact Darren Cole, AAA Screening Manager on 0113 2063738. (Please note I do not work Wednesdays).

About us

Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.

Date posted

22 August 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9298-TRS-062

Job locations

Seacroft Hospital

York Road

Leeds

LS14 6UH

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this role is to undertake abdominal ultrasound scanning 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 reassure patients attending the community abdominal aortic aneurysm-screening programme and explain the programme to them, especially where barriers to understanding exist. The post holder will ensure that members of the public attending clinics are informed and aware of the implications of AAA screening.

JOB DIMENSIONS

The post holder will work as an assistant practitioner, carrying out ultrasound techniques within standard operating procedures. The post holder will work independently and make judgements according to experience and training. Advice is available when needed for more complex situations, but the post holder generally works on his or her own initiative without reference to the Line Manager.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Observe and care for patients under investigation, liaising with administrative staff, porters, nurses and medical staff as appropriate in the best interest of the patient and any escorts.

Deal with anxious patients and their relatives or carers with tact, persuasion, patience and discretion. Recognise where communication difficulties arise and overcome barriers to understanding.

Carry out other duties in accordance with the current guidelines and project protocol including obtaining informed consent, putting patients at their ease, explaining the reasons for their invitation and answering

any queries.

Work alongside other screening staff involved with the clinic and support the work of the screening programme.

Keep the Senior Sonographer and Programme Manager informed of any difficulties arising, seeking advice where necessary.

Organise and carry out ultrasound scans of the abdominal aorta in accordance with the current guidelines for sonographic scanning and the programme protocol.

Ensure that scan results are despatched as soon as possible from off-site screening clinics to the screening office in a safe and confidential way.

Prepare and distribute results to patients at clinic, giving further information and offering support.

Deal with medical and patient enquiries as appropriate, taking the initiative to prioritise work and to bring to the attention of medical or administrative staff any patient whose condition warrants it.

Handle incidents and medical emergencies in a professional manner, supporting other screening staff if appropriate.

Manipulates and calibrates ultrasound equipment with high degree of accuracy and precision.

Has to accurately manoeuvre equipment and patients for ultrasound scans.

Undertake ultrasound scanning on patients in accordance with protocols and standard operating procedures.

Assist the patient to fill in a questionnaire (if required) and check its completeness.

Work within agreed protocols and operating procedures for scanning and care of patients.

Participate in service reviews and actively put forward suggestions for improvement for own work area.

Observe the requirements of the Infection Control Policy in ensuring the cleanliness and tidiness of screening rooms. Ensure that all clinic waste is disposed of in the correct manner.

Ensure that all clinic equipment is packed up correctly at the end of a clinic and stored in a safe and secure location.

Ensure the safe use of expensive ultrasound equipment including transporting portable equipment to various screening locations.

Monitor equipment used in the course of the role, ensure it is kept clean, and record/report any faults.

Monitor stock levels of supplies and consumables.

Ensure that the screening office is notified well in advance when supplies need to be replenished.

Demonstrates duties and techniques to less experienced and new staff.

- May provide some basic clinical supervision.

Analyse scan data to ensure the quality and other factors meet with agreed protocols.

Download data electronically, inspect for abnormalities, flag/record as appropriate, decide on course of action from available options and send data to the screening office.

Ensure that the screening office is notified as soon as possible about any results that are at variance with specified criteria or that are of concern.

Record clinical measurements and other information as required.

Issue accurate scan reports for use in the AAA screening programme and for inspection by the Senior Sonographer as required.

It will be expected that the post holder will participate in the extraction of local clinical data for research purposes in line with the AAA national screening programme.

Transport portable equipment and supplies to and from the screening locations as required, most of which are off-site and cannot be reached by public transport.

Help set up and pack up equipment at the beginning and end of a clinic.

Undertake work independently at sites away from a hospital base.

Work alongside other screening staff involved with the clinic and support the work of the AAA screening programme.

Attend meetings, training sessions and tutorials as required. Maintain clinical skills and knowledge.