Advanced Sonographer

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will be responsible for the daily management of their clinical sessions, working alongside the site team to ensure a smooth patient experience. Coordinate resources to ensure continuity of service; be an integral member of the ultrasound team and ensure compliance with national standards.

Being primarily responsible for delivering an ultrasound service where required across multiple sites within Dorking Healthcare (DHC). This is a sonographer role that includes clinical duties on a daily basis, contributing towards the day-to-day operation of a high quality, flexible and efficient ultrasound service and the clinical caseload.

They will communicate the results to the patient and other healthcare professionals. Collaborate with referring clinicians, enhance patient experience and ensure we give the best service possible to all our patients.

They will work closely with the Ultrasound services manager to ensure the service objectives are being translated into daily practice. They must ensure that the service we give reflects the values of DHC with the aim of improving the quality of the service delivered.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

Clinical requirements

• Conduct a variety of ultrasound examinations according to established guidelines, demonstrating proficiency in unsupervised scanning sessions in a timely manner.
• Deliver comprehensive ultrasound scanning and reporting services within your defined scope of practice, utilising analytical and judgmental skills to interpret ultrasound images and provide accurate examination reports.
• Adhere to local protocols and policies when working at all times, ensuring compliance and maintaining high standards of practice.
• Contribute to the training of other medical staff, including radiographers and medical professionals, as agreed with the Ultrasound Services manager.
• Act as an autonomous practitioner whilst maintaining a close working relationship with Ultrasound Services Manager and key referring Clinicians to deliver an efficient, high quality Ultrasound service
• Assumes responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort of patient whilst they are in the sonographers care.
• Interpret ultrasound images, providing an independent report for each examination; refer for further imaging /consultation within protocols.
• To work within the Radiographer Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
• To provide highly specialist, expert clinical ultrasound knowledge, acting as a clinical resource in the ultrasound department
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills and professionalism with all service users during the ultrasound examination including the imparting of bad news where appropriate under agreed, approved protocols.
• Provide a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors ensuring that all staff comply with current legislation relating to all aspects of infection, prevention and control; health and safety; adherence to all DHC policies and procedures; reporting any untoward incidents and undertaking risk assessments where appropriate.
• Ensure that all the appropriate documentation for each patient is appropriately completed according to departmental protocol and adhere to the data protection act. Correctly record all ultrasound images, where appropriate, on the Infinitt PACS system.

Operational requirements

• To support the effective planning, development, organisation and delivery of Ultrasound
• Keep stock control of consumable items (excluding drugs) and place orders as necessary in liaison with the Ultrasound Service Manager
• Ensure that all equipment is used appropriately and maintained on a daily basis, taking corrective action regarding faults to minimise service downtime.
• Attend ultrasound staff meetings and take appropriate actions resulting from these meetings
• In conjunction with the relevant senior staff, organise the evaluation, procurement and installation of specialist ultrasound equipment based on formal assessment.
• Help to identify, devise and perform audit and research as a means of service development and improvement.

Continual Professional Development (CPD)

• Take advantage of in-service training, visits to other specialist departments and other opportunities for self-development.
• To partake in Ultrasound training across all grades including supervising, motivating and developing other staff as appropriate
• Maintain own advanced and extensive technical standards in ultrasound; attending relevant courses and show evidence of CPD. Fulfil mandatory training requirements and partake in the appraisal process.
• Actively participate in audit and clinical governance activities under the guidance of the Ultrasound Services Manager, consistently engaging in continuing professional development and staying current with developments in medical ultrasound.
• To actively seek out innovative practice developed elsewhere which could be used to improve local service delivery.
• This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. The jobholder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties.

WORK SETTING AND REVIEW

To manage own ultrasound list. Scanning and reporting at the highest diagnostic level. While maintaining a safe, professional and empathetic patient pathway. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Make decisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of the department acting independently but where necessary referring problems to management or the appropriate clinician via the quickest route possible. Work to objectives as set by the Ultrasound Services Manager.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients staff and DHC business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Caldicott principles.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
• Pro-active multitasker
• Good time management
• Patient focused

Desirable

• Experience working towards targets and reporting updates
• Experience of managing competing priorities
• Clear problem solver who seeks solutions independently

Qualifications

Essential

• Hold a relevant professional qualification (DMU, PgD or MSC in Medical ultrasound)
• HCPC registered or other equivalent professional registration
• Documented evidence of CPD
• Valid driving license and access to a vehicle. The role is a mobile role- candidates must be flexible to travel across different sites
• In depth knowledge and expertise in medical ultrasound and a proven record of previous experience working in the UK.

Desirable

• Post Graduate qualification at Masters level achieving the following or equivalent: MSC Ultrasound

Attributes

Essential

• Can do attitude
• Presentable appearance.
• Good team worker.
• Reliable.
• Flexible; helps cover for absent colleagues
• Trustworthy
• Pro-active and committed

Knowledge

Essential

• Wide knowledge of ultrasound examinations and pathology.
• Ability to integrate ultrasound images, laboratory results, patient history and medical records and adapt examination performed.
• Diagnostic reporting
• Numerate and good standard of English
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people at all levels.
• High quality standards in all communication
• Good standard of IT skills, i.e. Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and internet/web skills or equivalent.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times

Desirable

• Experienced Administration skills
• Advanced IT skills
• Emis or SystmOne IT systems
• Audit

Experience

Essential

• Effectively operate a variety of ultrasound machines.
• Independently report on ultrasound examinations.
• Strong clinical judgement to make critical decisions
• Ability to review images and assess the need for further imaging.
• Detect abnormalities and discuss further imaging with referring clinician
• Aware of accountability of own professional actions
• Work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.

Desirable

• Experience of using specific NHS databases EMIS, SystmOne or a willingness to learn
• Proven previous experience of working within the NHS in a similar role
• Demonstratable experienceof making improvements to advance the patient pathway and the communications surrounding this
• Knowledge of recent changes and developments within the NHS
• Experience of audit and research.
• MSK experience

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).