Vascular Sonographer - Bank position
Employer: Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
Site: St Helier Hospital
Town: Carshalton
Salary: £34.10 - £54.56 (Bank Salary, Hourly)
Closing: 31/12/2025 23:59
NHS AfC: Band 8a
As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19.
At Epsom and St Helier Hospitals, above all we value respect. We put respect at the heart of all we do, by living up to our shared behaviours of kindness, professionalism, positivity and teamwork. This enables us to provide great patient care and make ESTH a great place to work. When you sign up to work with us, you sign up to this and we welcome applicants who share our values.
Overview
Job overview
The post holder will have a post graduate ultrasound qualification (DMU/PgD) and must hold an advanced ultrasound practice qualification at master’s level or equivalent. The post holder should have worked as an advanced ultrasound practitioner in ultrasound imaging with significant experience to provide and facilitate an expert level of care to patients. They will perform and issue ultrasound reports on a wide range of ultrasound procedures including acute in-patients, providing highly advanced clinical skills and opinion and diagnosis for patient-centred care. They will exercise the highest degree of professional autonomy in the decision making process and liaise with Consultant Radiologists to improve patient outcomes. The post holder will liaise with a variety of staff throughout the trust, define scope of practice of others and continuously develop clinical practice within your own defined field. They will support the Lead Sonographer in developing the ultrasound service in line with best practice and national standards.
Main duties of the job
* To support the Lead Sonographer in developing and implementing protocols within areas of expertise.
* To work with the management team to continue to develop the service including identification and development of local policies, procedures and guidelines.
* To ensure that facilities are utilised efficiently to provide the best possible patient care and to support the Lead Sonographer with implementing changes where necessary.
* To safely and effectively operate ultrasound equipment, adhering to BMUS guidelines.
* To adhere to the Health and Safety at Work Act and maintain a safe working environment; to report and resolve problems promptly in accordance with Departmental and Trust policies.
* To assist with the co-ordination of maintenance visits and rearrange work lists in the event of equipment failure, being responsive to inconvenience caused to patients at short notice cancellations.
* Participation with the co-ordination and implementation of a Quality Assurance programme and assist with planning of routine maintenance.
* To organise room equipment and the working environment to minimise personal risk of work-related upper limb disorders (RSI) and be aware of regulations governing the use of VDUs.
* To report any untoward incidents as appropriate and in line with department protocols and assist in resolving difficulties as they arise.
* To investigate and respond to complaints in accordance with Trust guidelines and contribute to clinical governance and clinical effectiveness by ensuring best practice guidelines in ultrasound.
* To actively participate in appraisals for junior sonographers and support staff working in ultrasound.
* As an expert practitioner to support, mentor and improve patient services in ultrasound and contribute to strategic planning and development of professional practice.
Clinical responsibilities
* To work in a given area, being accountable for own professional actions, organisation of own workloads, vascular ultrasound examinations and diagnosis reporting within Unit protocols.
* To demonstrate a depth of knowledge of ultrasound, performing assessment and diagnosis.
* Exercise a high degree of autonomy, acting as a lead practitioner with advanced clinical competence and decision making.
* Work with the multi-disciplinary team and actively involve service users to gain input for continuous improvement in patient care.
* To ensure appropriate, consistent information is provided to the patient and maintain confidentiality.
* To interpret highly complex ultrasound images and differentiate normal from abnormal findings.
* To provide patients and relatives with empathy and emotional support with abnormal or distressing results.
* Where imaging reveals pathology requiring urgent medical attention, to bring findings to the attention of the referring clinician and identify onward care.
* To refer patients for further clinical opinion, investigations and follow-up as needed.
* To advise clinicians when delays may impact morbidity or mortality.
* To communicate complex information in an understandable form to patients; provide counselling as required.
* To manage unpredictable patient demands while maintaining concentration required for ultrasound procedures.
* To handle patient notes and ensure images and reports are stored in the hospital system and filed in case notes.
* To support and assist junior staff and participate in training of doctors, nurses, sonographers and students.
* To maintain a high level of manual and mental dexterity for ultrasound scanning.
Working for our organisation
The StaffBank for Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust are seeking enthusiastic play specialists to join our pool of Staff Bank workers. Role availability varies; exact roles are provided after Hiring & Recruitment is complete. Higher banding/rates may be discussed based on experience and NHS background.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To support the Lead Sonographer in developing and implementing protocols within areas of expertise. To work with the management team to continue to develop the service including identification and development of local policies, procedures and guidelines. To ensure that facilities are utilised efficiently to provide the best possible patient care and to support the Lead Sonographer with implementing change where necessary. To safely and effectively operate ultrasound equipment, adhering to BMUS guidelines. To adhere to the Health and Safety at Work Act and maintain a safe working environment; to report and resolve problems promptly in accordance with Departmental and Trust policies. To assist with the co-ordination of maintenance visits and rearrange work lists in the event of equipment failure, being responsive to inconvenience caused to patients at short notice cancellations. Participation with the co-ordination and implementation of a Quality Assurance programme and assist with planning of routine maintenance. To organise room equipment and the working environment to minimise personal risk of work-related upper limb disorders (RSI) and to be aware of the regulations governing the use of VDUs. To report any untoward incidents as appropriate and in line with department protocols and promptly assist in the solution of difficulties. To investigate and respond to complaints in accordance with Trust guidelines and contribute to clinical governance and clinical effectiveness by ensuring best practice guidelines in ultrasound. To actively participate in appraisals for junior sonographers and support staff working in ultrasound. As an expert practitioner to support, mentor and improve patient services in ultrasound and contribute to strategic planning and development of professional practice.
Person specification
Professional Registration
Experience
6 Months Experience
Our mission: ‘to put the patient first by delivering great care to every patient, every day.’
There’s never been a better time to join the Epsom and St Helier team. Our hospitals are facing a bright and busy future, and our staff have a proven track record in providing high quality, compassionate care for our patients.
Boasting incredible staff benefits and dedicated training schemes, working for us will not only take your career forward, but could help to transform the lives of our patients and visitors.
We offer all employees some fantastic staff benefits, and are the only hospitals in Surrey to offer staff the London high cost area supplement. Our hospitals also benefit from great locations, so whether you're attracted to the bright lights of the city or the countryside of Epsom Downs, both are within easy reach.
Further information
Please note that this position may close earlier than the stated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. If you wish to apply, submit your application as soon as possible. We contact all applicants via email and not by post. Check your Recruitment System account regularly. Access at Work for Us > Current Vacancies > My Job Account.
For new entrants into the NHS, pay will normally be set at the minimum of the advertised pay band. If you apply and do not hear within 4 weeks, please assume you have not been shortlisted.
ESTH values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Employer we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to a greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Internal applicants from underrepresented minority groups are encouraged to seek development support such as work shadowing and interview skills coaching. Please contact the recruitment team for more information.
Employer certification / accreditation
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.
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