Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced echo cardiographer to work within the cardiac ECG Department at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
The department currently performs approximately 8000 Trans-thoracic echocardiograms per annum, approximately 1000 Stress echocardiograms per annum and approximately 4000 Holter and BP monitors per annum.
We have a busy brady pacing service, with approximately 350 implants and 2000 follow ups every year, as well as acute checks on complex devices on inpatients and are currently moving to remote follow up of the 500+ loop recorder episodes we undertake.
The successful applicant will be educated to degree level with either relevant experience or a degree in clinical physiology. Successful applicant must be band 8a or above. Managerial experience is essential. Stress echo accreditation is essential. BSE accreditation qualification is essential.
This is a very challenging role, and excellent organisational skills, inter-personal skills and good management skill are all vital to this role.
Main duties of the job
1) Independently practises with a high level of skill and autonomy at Advance Specialist level in Echocardiography
2) Independently practises with a high level of skill and autonomy a wide range of other cardiac physiology procedures
3) Provides effective day-to-day leadership of the cardiac physiology team within the advanced specialist field and other areas when required
4) Actively participates in practical & theoretical training & development of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals from inside and outside of the organisation
5) Participates in cardiac & associated medical research as integral to the role
6) To undertake any other duties which is deemed appropriate to the band when requested by Principal Cardiac Physiologist
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
Our mission is to make a difference every day. Our values are that we care, we respect, and we listen
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
The salary for the role is only one part of the excellent package of benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform echocardiograms to BSE standards on a range of GE machines
- Ensures image archiving to echo pacs. Pulls images from archives as required, transfers images to McKesson as required
- Works as part of a team of echo cardiographers
- Assists with specialist echo (stress echo/TOE/contrast) as required and under supervision
- Assesses and reports on own workload of patients. Reports echocardiograms for echo cardiographers in training, including clinicians.
- Assists with training delivery.
- Contributes to audit as required
Communications
Communicates with the multidisciplinary team, patients and carers in a way that empowers them to make informed choices about their care and further treatment, actively promoting health and well-being.
- Demonstrates excellent levels of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and a positive attitude.
- Communicates complex and sensitive information to patients with compassion and empathy.
- Handles initial stages of any complaints and reports to deputy/head of department. Completes incident reports as appropriate.
- Develop and maintain effective communication channels and relationships with members of the multidisciplinary teams.
Responsibility for Patient Care
- Performs and reports cardiac ultrasound scans on adults
- Provides specialised advice on diagnosis and further investigations.
- Maintains state registration.
- Maintains personal accreditation with the British Society of Echocardiography/RCCP and acts as mentor/supervisor to trainees.
- Prioritises echocardiogram referrals for In patients and advises Deputy/Head of department of difficulties arising in ensuring timely service delivery.
- Assist in maintaining a friendly, helpful environment conducive to the well being of patients, staff and colleagues.
Planning and organising
- Plans and prioritises own workload and works flexibly to meet the needs of the service i.e. to provide a service to meet patients clinical needs and promote timely discharge.
- Plans for own CPD requirements- notifying Clinical Lead/Service Manager of training needs in a timely fashion
Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
- Utilises equipment/consumables with appropriate care
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation
- Assists with service development as required
- Adheres to Trust and departmental SOPs and guidelines. Reviews and develops SOPs within own work area in conjunction with head of department.
Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership
- Supervises work of other qualified staff, trainees and HCAs as required.
- Assists with recruitment and retention as required for own specialist area.
- Takes personal responsibility to ensure personal compliance with CPD guidelines and professional codes of conduct. Maintain personal records of Continual Professional Development, to meet the requirements for future registration purposes.
- Act as a role model to all staff both internally and externally to the trust.
Responsibilities for Teaching and Training
- Actively participates in the education, development and motivation of all grades of staff in line with mandatory, professional and personal requirements.
- Participates in teaching and training to a broad range of healthcare workers including medical, nursing and support workers of all grades as required.
- Actively participates in the monthly echo meetings, presenting cases as required. Attendance at national/local meetings as required.
Responsibilities for data and information resources
- Maintain accurate record keeping of specialist information within case notes in a manner understandable by other professionals as per Trust policy.
- Ensure critical incident reporting is prompt and effective; liaise with deputy/head of department as appropriate.
Research, Development and Audit
- Suggests and/or participates in audits as required.
Physical Skills and Effort
Keyboard skills
- Moving and handling of patients with respect to echocardiography
- Concentration over prolonged periods to acquire and interpret echocardiography images
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
- If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform echocardiograms to BSE standards on a range of GE machines
- Ensures image archiving to echo pacs. Pulls images from archives as required, transfers images to McKesson as required
- Works as part of a team of echo cardiographers
- Assists with specialist echo (stress echo/TOE/contrast) as required and under supervision
- Assesses and reports on own workload of patients. Reports echocardiograms for echo cardiographers in training, including clinicians.
- Assists with training delivery.
- Contributes to audit as required
Communications
Communicates with the multidisciplinary team, patients and carers in a way that empowers them to make informed choices about their care and further treatment, actively promoting health and well-being.
- Demonstrates excellent levels of verbal and non-verbal communication skills and a positive attitude.
- Communicates complex and sensitive information to patients with compassion and empathy.
- Handles initial stages of any complaints and reports to deputy/head of department. Completes incident reports as appropriate.
- Develop and maintain effective communication channels and relationships with members of the multidisciplinary teams.
Responsibility for Patient Care
- Performs and reports cardiac ultrasound scans on adults
- Provides specialised advice on diagnosis and further investigations.
- Maintains state registration.
- Maintains personal accreditation with the British Society of Echocardiography/RCCP and acts as mentor/supervisor to trainees.
- Prioritises echocardiogram referrals for In patients and advises Deputy/Head of department of difficulties arising in ensuring timely service delivery.
- Assist in maintaining a friendly, helpful environment conducive to the well being of patients, staff and colleagues.
Planning and organising
- Plans and prioritises own workload and works flexibly to meet the needs of the service i.e. to provide a service to meet patients clinical needs and promote timely discharge.
- Plans for own CPD requirements- notifying Clinical Lead/Service Manager of training needs in a timely fashion
Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources
- Utilises equipment/consumables with appropriate care
Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation
- Assists with service development as required
- Adheres to Trust and departmental SOPs and guidelines. Reviews and develops SOPs within own work area in conjunction with head of department.
Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership
- Supervises work of other qualified staff, trainees and HCAs as required.
- Assists with recruitment and retention as required for own specialist area.
- Takes personal responsibility to ensure personal compliance with CPD guidelines and professional codes of conduct. Maintain personal records of Continual Professional Development, to meet the requirements for future registration purposes.
- Act as a role model to all staff both internally and externally to the trust.
Responsibilities for Teaching and Training
- Actively participates in the education, development and motivation of all grades of staff in line with mandatory, professional and personal requirements.
- Participates in teaching and training to a broad range of healthcare workers including medical, nursing and support workers of all grades as required.
- Actively participates in the monthly echo meetings, presenting cases as required. Attendance at national/local meetings as required.
Responsibilities for data and information resources
- Maintain accurate record keeping of specialist information within case notes in a manner understandable by other professionals as per Trust policy.
- Ensure critical incident reporting is prompt and effective; liaise with deputy/head of department as appropriate.
Research, Development and Audit
- Suggests and/or participates in audits as required.
Physical Skills and Effort
Keyboard skills
- Moving and handling of patients with respect to echocardiography
- Concentration over prolonged periods to acquire and interpret echocardiography images
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
- If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.50. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- BSC (Hons) Clinical Physiology
- BSE accreditation/ IBHRE
- Evidence of continuing personal and professional development
Knowledge
Essential
- Reporting Cardiac Sonographer
- Confident with HR policies and procedures and demonstrable evidence of managing significant numbers of staff.
- Knowledge of relevant National Guidance ( NICE, NSF etc)
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience in stress echo/Bike and / or DSE)
- At least 12 months post BSE accreditation experience as a reporting echocardiographer
- Significant experience of people management and effective leadership
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Effective written communication skills including analysis and report writing
- Ability to analyse complex issues and make decisions
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Logical approach to problem solving
- Ability to relate to groups and individuals at all levels
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to offer encouragement and support to others to foster both personal and professional development
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Occupational Health Clearance
- Positioning of patients and equipment for scanning
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- BSC (Hons) Clinical Physiology
- BSE accreditation/ IBHRE
- Evidence of continuing personal and professional development
Knowledge
Essential
- Reporting Cardiac Sonographer
- Confident with HR policies and procedures and demonstrable evidence of managing significant numbers of staff.
- Knowledge of relevant National Guidance ( NICE, NSF etc)
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience in stress echo/Bike and / or DSE)
- At least 12 months post BSE accreditation experience as a reporting echocardiographer
- Significant experience of people management and effective leadership
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Effective written communication skills including analysis and report writing
- Ability to analyse complex issues and make decisions
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Logical approach to problem solving
- Ability to relate to groups and individuals at all levels
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to offer encouragement and support to others to foster both personal and professional development
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
- Occupational Health Clearance
- Positioning of patients and equipment for scanning
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).
