Job Overview
The post holder will be highly committed, enthusiastic, and innovative with excellent clinical and communication skills, and will join our expanding friendly team within the Obstetric and Imaging ultrasound departments.
The post holder will provide a high quality ultrasound service, prioritise workload, produce comprehensive independently written ultrasound reports, communicate complex information to clinicians and patients, and take part in the training of others in this modality. All members of the Sonographer team will be responsible for management and delivery of ultrasound services, ensuring high standards of quality, safety and access, and will provide the Professional Lead for Ultrasound with regular feedback regarding agreed key performance indicators.
Main Duties of the Job
* Supervise the activity of junior staff and trainees within the department.
* Maintain professional and technical standards relevant to ultrasound services.
* Plan, coordinate and implement new services and strategies to enhance patient pathways.
* Keep the Professional Lead for Ultrasound fully informed of issues within ultrasound and the delivery of the service.
* Attend relevant internal and external meetings as directed.
* Establish and maintain effective communication with the Imaging and multidisciplinary team.
* Challenge current working practices positively and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
* Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff.
* Coordinate routine maintenance of equipment and manage breakdowns liaising with external companies.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
* Independently undertake and use analytical and judgemental skills to report on ultrasound examinations, differentiating between normal and pathological findings.
* Assess scan image quality and identify reasons for additional views where necessary.
* Recognise other diagnostic investigations; make recommendations for further imaging assessment and referral after discussion with a Radiologist.
* Maintain CPD and adherence to the Professional Code of Conduct.
* Inform appointment scheduling and manage own caseload.
* Prioritise patients independently and organise workload from a range of referral pathways in a pressurised environment.
* Respond to telephone enquiries regarding clinical procedures or results.
* Maintain patient dignity during examinations of an intimate nature and manage exposure to bodily fluids.
* Provide specialist support to staff amid operational pressures.
* Apply examination protocols and guide the department’s adherence to them.
* Attend clinical meetings, provide feedback and inform service improvement.
* Maintain a flexible approach to working hours, including extended days and weekend working to promote a 7‑day service.
* Serve as a role model for all staff.
* Support learning through CPD, demonstrate a proactive commitment to improving standards of service.
* Train, supervise and assess undergraduates, postgraduates, and clinicians in sonography and high‑specification equipment.
* Provide guidance, support and mentorship to less‑experienced sonographers.
* Operate autonomously within the limits of personal expertise and skill.
* Possess a wide range of knowledge over ultrasound procedures and/or specific expertise in a particular area.
* Give specialist and expert opinion to a wide range of healthcare professionals to influence diagnosis or treatment.
* Supervise less experienced sonographers, assistants and trainees; undertake prolonged periods of intense concentration to obtain, interpret and record suitable images.
* Demonstrate well‑developed hand‑eye coordination and special awareness for precise acquisition of diagnostic images.
* Communicate empathetically with patients and visitors, give clear explanations of risk, accuracy and limitations, and use appropriate tact when dealing with aggression or cultural differences.
* Promote best practice by advising and disseminating knowledge to the profession and beyond.
* Operate the Radiology Information System/PACS System competently.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Formal Post Graduate Ultrasound Qualification / DMU
* Registered with HCPC or equivalent body (GMC/NMC)
Experience
* Evidence of up‑to‑date technical knowledge
* Evidence of professional up‑to‑date data knowledge (CPD)
Skills
* Effective communication within a multidisciplinary team both inside and outside the Trust.
* Provision of accurate, precise information.
* Time‑management and ability to act on own initiative.
* Positive attitude to change with proven ability to assist in implementation of change and practice development.
* Wide range of practical experience.
* Assisting in training or mentoring of trainee sonographers/students.
* Computer literacy, including experience with ultrasound reporting software, PACS, and RIS.
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, and we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in recruitment.
We are committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible and committed to equal opportunities.
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