Main area Imaging Services Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent: 37.5 hours over 7 days Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Includes weekends and evenings) Job ref 407-WCCSS-7272374
Employer Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Town Walsall Salary £47,810 - £54,710 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 19/08/2025 23:59
Sonographer/Midwife Sonographer
Band 7
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated acute and community Healthcare in the West Midlands serving a population of 260,000 residents. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and we are continually upgrading. Construction of the new integrated critical care unit was completed in 2018, extension of a Neonatal Unit and an approved plan to build a brand new, state of the art Emergency Department which commenced in 2021
We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.
We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce
Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.
The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including: salary sacrifice scheme; car leasing scheme; on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability); the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme; and the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an encouraging yet challenging environment
We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.
COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment at this time, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters so that we can manage individual and environmental risks, and so that we can support those who may be undecided about vaccination. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at COVID-19 Vaccination | How to access your vaccine in the Black Country and West Birmingham (blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk ) where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination. There is a current Government consultation underway which will determine whether some new starters may need to be vaccinated.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Trust currently holds the Bronze Award which underlines the Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. As an organisation, we are aiming to achieve the next level Silver award, with our sights firmly on Gold.
RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM
Job overview
The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills and willing to join our expanding friendly team.
The post holder will work within the Obstetric and Imaging ultrasound departments, in line with competency, to provide a high quality ultrasound service, prioritising the workload and producing comprehensive independently written ultrasound reports. The post holder will communicate complex information to clinicians and patients, and will take part in the training of others in this modality. All members of the Sonographer team will be responsible for the management and delivery of ultrasound services ensuring high standards of ultrasound provision in terms of quality, safety and access to services, providing the Professional Lead for Ultrasound with regular feedback regarding agreed key performance indicators for this service.
PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.
Main duties of the job
* To supervise the activity of more junior staff and trainees within the department
* To be responsible for maintaining professional and technical standards relevant to ultrasound services
* To take part in the planning, coordinating and implementation of new services and strategies concerning patient care to enhance, develop and improve patient pathways
* To keep the Professional Lead for Ultrasound fully informed of issues within ultrasound and pertaining to the delivery of the service
* To attend relevant meetings as directed, both internally and externally to the Trust
* To establish and maintain effective communication with all members of the
* Imaging and multidisciplinary team, in particular those associated with ultrasound.
* To challenge, in a positive manner, current working practices and promote a culture of continuous improvement and development.
* To participate with the recruitment and selection of staff.
* To coordinate routine maintenance of equipment and management of breakdowns liaising with external companies
Working for our organisation
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300. It provides inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010, and ongoing upgrades ensure the Trust now has state-of-the-art facilities, including a Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit. A new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, opened in March 2023, has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity, providing almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* To independently undertake and use analytical and judgmental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
* To use analytical and judgemental skills to view the scan images taken, to assess their technical quality and to have the ability to identify reasons for performing additional views appropriately.
* To be aware of the importance of other diagnostic investigations. To make recommendations when reporting for further imaging assessment and referral where necessary after consultation / discussion with a Radiologist.
* Maintain fitness to practice with Professional Code of Conduct and through CPD
* To inform appointment scheduling and be responsible for one’s own caseload.
* To prioritise patients independently and to organise workload from a range of referral pathways, within a pressurised environment.
* To receive telephone enquiries from patients, ward or medical staff regarding clinical procedures or results
* To maintain patients dignity whilst frequently undertaking examinations of an intimate nature, where there is a high risk of exposure to bodily fluids
* To deal with a range of operational pressures and developments within ultrasound on a day to day basis providing specialist support to staff
* To independently assess and justify examinations using department protocols / guidelines.
* Ensure the implementation of examination protocols
* Attend appropriate clinical meetings, feeding back to the team and informing service improvement as appropriate
* To maintain a flexible approach to working hours such as extended days and weekend working to promote a 7 day service.
* Acts as a role model to all other staff.
* To assist in developing a learning environment within the Department by maintaining an up to date professional knowledge through CPD and demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service and maintaining standards
* Train, supervise and assess Undergraduates, Post Graduates and clinicians in the specialist field of ultrasound and the use of high specification ultrasound equipment
* Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less, experienced sonographers
* Accountable for own professional activities using a high degree of autonomy within the limitations of personal expertise and skill
* To possess a high level of knowledge over a range of ultrasound procedures and /or a high level of expertise in a particular area of ultrasound
* To give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of Health Care professionals. To give information that can directly affect diagnosis or treatment
* To supervise the activity of less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees within the ultrasound workplace. To undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images in a dynamic environment. To maintain concentrations during frequent interruptions from patients and staff.
* To have well developed hand / eye coordination combined with special awareness which enables precise acquisition of diagnostic images
* To relate to and communicate with all patients and visitors in a sensitive and empathetic manner. To give clear explanations to patients about ultrasound examinations including risk, accuracy and limitations especially regarding procedures that require consent. To use appropriate levels of tact and persuasion when dealing with aggressive behaviour, cultural differences, special needs and those with newly diagnosed illnesses.
* To promote best practice when advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
* To be competent in the operation of the Radiology Information System / PACS System.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Formal Post Graduate Ultrasound Qualification/DMU
Experience
* Evidence of up-to-date technical knowledge
* Evidence of professional up to date knowledge
Skills
* Energy / drive / ambition
* Shows initiative
* Ability to work and communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team setting within and outside the Trust.
* Able to supply accurate, precise information.
* Time management skills with an ability to act on own initiative and be both self-directed and motivated in the work environment.
* Positive attitude to change with a proven ability to assist in the implementation of change and practice development
* Wide range of practical experience
* Assisting in the training or mentoring of trainee sonographers/students into supporting workforce development.
* Computer literacy, including experience with ultrasound reporting software, PACS, and RIS
Flexibility
Other
* Shows initiative
* High level of enthusiasm
* Reliable
Please note your application will be transferred from the NHS Jobs system to internal Walsall Healthcare Trac System. All correspondence will be sent via Trac
Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.
** Please Note that this post may be identified as suitable and a preference given for Internal at Risk Employees**
We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
References from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. When completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover this period. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Please review the attached Job description and person specification carefully before applying to ensure that you meet the essential job requirements.
Candidates should be aware that, regardless of country of origin, their ability to communicate in written and spoken English to the standard required to carry out the post, will be assessed during the selection process.
Referee email addresses should be provided on your application form.
Following the closing date, if you have not heard from us within 6 weeks you may assume your application has been unsuccessful.
We reserve the right to close this job early. Interested applicants are therefore advised to apply as early as possible.
If a large number of applicants meet the essential criteria then random selection will be applied.
We are committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible and committed to equal opportunities.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Favour Atueyi Job title Interim Lead for ultrasound Email address f.atueyi@nhs.net Telephone number 01922 721172 Additional information
Favour Atueyi
01922 721172 Ext. 6494
f.atueyi@nhs.net
If you have problems applying, contact
Address Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Manor Hospital
Moat Road
Walsall
West Midlands
WS2 9PS
Telephone 07890305746
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