Sonographer (General and MSK)

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• To provide a comprehensive and effective high-quality MSK and General Ultrasound service.
• To ensure that all Ultrasound referrals are evaluated and prioritized according to clinical protocols using the clinical information provided.
• To seek clinical clarity where Ultrasound requests are equivocal.
• To undertake Ultrasound scanning in accordance with national guidelines and agreed local protocols.
• To manage your personal Ultrasound workload, in addition to the wider service requirements.
• To maintain the highest level of accuracy whilst performing each Ultrasound examination.
• To assess the clinical information and select the most appropriate scanning approach.
• To ensure optimum sterility is maintained throughout invasive examinations.
• To adhere to the relevant company protocols in respect of hand hygiene and infection control.
• To act as a patient advocate in ultrasound scanning issues.
• To exercise the highest standard of patient communication and care, in order to pro-actively improve the patient’s experience.
• To ensure that appropriate consent has been acquired, depending on the clinical protocol.
• Assess the individual communication needs of patients and ensure any necessary advocacy is arranged. 
• To examine, diagnose and ultimately assist in the treatment plan of the patient.
• To offer and seek the advice and support of colleagues when necessary.
• To undertake and report examinations, advising referral to the appropriate Specialists when required. To suggest appropriate additional imaging/further management as required.
• To liaise with the Consultant Radiologist as required, for the most clinically appropriate imaging or management.
• To ensure that urgent findings are communicated to clinicians without delay, in accordance with our protocols.
• To act as mentor, in the training of other Sonographers in MSK, Thyroid and Vascular ultrasound.
• To undertake other duties as required by the demands of the service, or by the Operations Manager as appropriate.

• To liaise with the team, in order to ensure the highest quality of service to patients and clinicians.
• To work effectively with all disciplines of staff throughout, giving support and advice where necessary.
• To liaise and communicate with the Operations Manager, to ensure that all targets and quality standards are achieved.
• To be responsive to changes in service, patient or company need.
• To ensure effective stock control of consumables.
• To use Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving System (PACS) effectively, recording all necessary data and images accurately.
• To participate pro-actively in clinical audits, in order to facilitate personal professional development.
• To embrace the clinical audit process of other Sonographers, as they broaden their scanning skillset.
• To be involved in the review of imaging protocols, systems of work and contribute suggestions and ideas for their improvement.
• To be involved in the Quality Assurance (QA) regime of Ultrasound equipment, undertaking tests and reporting faults as per the QA protocol.
• Support the Information Technology (IT) Department through timely reporting of IT issues of data integrity and encourage team members to do likewise.
• Follow the Health and Safety at work Act and ensure adherence to all protocols and policies.
• To assist the Bookings team with any queries when requested.
• Undertake administrative and any other duties as required by the service.
• To attend meetings where requested.
• To report Clinical and Non-Clinical incidents in line with our policies.

• Support the Operations Manager, in ensuring that imaging practice standards are monitored and continuously updated, to maintain the highest possible quality of service.
• Support marketing, delivery and quality of products and services.
• Liaise with doctors, patients, suppliers, subcontractors, universities and the public as required.
• Ensure that the organization is consistently depicted in a strong, positive image to all stakeholders.
• Relationship building – it is expected that this position will develop relationships within and outside of the business. To foster team building with peers and co-workers to promote a positive working environment.
• Reporting of equipment and software faults to the Operations Manager.
• Providing relevant information and data to management for statistical analysis and reports.
• Facilitate the assessment and implementation of new policies, procedures or practices, resulting from evidence originating from both within and outside Diagnostics.
• Participate in all relevant Audits, modifying practice if required.
• Assist in implementation of QA and Clinical Governance to ensure quality standards are achieved. 
• Ensure continuing familiarization with the current QA measures in place within the Department. 
• To attend Clinical Governance meetings as required.
• To support risk assessment in order to provide an environment, equipment and working procedures, that are as safe as reasonably practicable for patients and staff.

• To actively participate in the induction process for new staff.
• To facilitate the training and mentoring of Sonographers as they broaden their skill-set.
• To share expertise and act in an advisory capacity to other staff.
• To provide training in the use of clinical equipment and computer information systems for other staff.
• To evaluate new technology and its clinical value.
• To constantly evaluate working practice to ensure that competency can be measured and proven.
• To help promote effective communication amongst all users and providers of the ultrasound service.
• Maintain an up to date Continuing Professional Development portfolio.
• Visit the Intranet on a regular basis, to keep informed of any recent changes to guidelines, policies and practices.

General Responsibilities

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carer’s. They may also have access to information relating to the Clinic as a business organization. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers or the business of the Clinic may only be divulged to authorized persons in accordance with our policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and data protection.

Equal Opportunities

The post holder must at all times carry out his/her/their responsibilities with regard to Healthshare’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

Health and Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees. The post holder will be required to participate in Healthshare’s annual Mandatory Training components.

No Smoking Policy

Diagnostics operates a no smoking policy.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; this means that any criminal conviction must be made known at the time of application. The post will be subject to a criminal record check (DBS).

Review of this Job Description

This is an outline job description and should not be regarded as an inflexible specification. Responsibilities will be reviewed periodically in line with service priorities and duties may change or new duties be introduced after consultation with the post holder. As a term of your employment, you may be required to undertake such other duties and/or hours of work as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your general level of responsibility with the organization.

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) Hon in Diagnostic Radiography or equivalent/degree/diploma.
• Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (DMU) or Postgraduate Diploma (Pg Dip) or Master of Science (MSc) in Medical Ultrasound.
• MSK Ultrasound module or equivalent training.
• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered.

Desirable

• Recognised Thyroid ultrasound training qualification.
• Vascular Ultrasound module or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in all aspects of MSK Ultrasound scanning and a comprehensive range of ultrasound studies, in addition to General, Gynae, Renal tract and Testes Ultrasound examinations.

Desirable

• Experience of organising and participating in study programmes for ultrasound imaging.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work alone, report, organise and prioritise clinical workload.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to deal sensitively with patients, and liaise effectively with medical and other staff.
• Ability to demonstrate motivational ability plus team leadership qualities.
• A good timekeeper but prepared to be flexible according to workload requirements.
• Good English oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to work under pressure and to deal with stressful situations calmly and tactfully.
• Professional appearance and attitude.
• Flexibility and a willingness to undertake a wide range of duties multi site as per the job description and working requirements.
• Ability to accept direction and criticism.
• To be able to work in close conjunction and be equally supportive of junior and senior colleagues.
• High level of dexterity within the realms of Ultrasound protocols.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy whilst performing specialised ultrasound examinations.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• IT literate.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within a Primary Care environment
• Previous experience of working within a community setting
• Previous participation in clinical audits.
• Previous experience of mentoring student sonographers

Other

Essential

• Flexible in approach to work
• Available to work hours as required
• Must have business use car insurance
• Full, current driving licence

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).