Trainee Echocardiographer

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Are you a registered Healthcare Scientist with the AHCS, or completing your undergraduate Healthcare Science degree this academic year and are looking to specialise in Echocardiography?

Here at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust we have an exciting opportunity for an 18 month fixed term full-time training post in Echocardiography. This is part of the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP) developed by the National School of Healthcare Science and trains you to become highly skilled in performing and reporting cardiac ultrasound diagnostic procedures.

Applicants for this programme are required to have a 1st or 2:1 in either an undergraduate honours degree in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific subject such as Biology, Human Biology or Sports Science. Applicants who are completing their undergraduate Cardiac Physiology (PTP) programme this year are also encouraged to apply but must be registered with the AHCS by the time the programme starts.

The successful ETP trainee will be trained to BSE accreditation level 2 and be awarded a Post-graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography. For more information please see the NSHCS website: NSHCS Echocardiography Training Programme.

Main duties of the job

The Trainee Echocardiographer will be employed for a fixed term of 18 months within the Cardio-Respiratory Department during which time they will work through a programme of learning.

In conjunction with and supported by the Designated Echocardiography Training Officer, the Trainee Echocardiographer will be responsible for their own progression through the training programme, completing a mixture of work based competence and experience within CHFT, completing the learning outcomes as outlined in the ETP curriculum, undertaking the complementary academic Post Graduate Certificate in Clinical Echocardiography and preparing for and completing the BSE Transthoracic Accreditation process.

At all times the Trainee Echocardiographer is expected to work within standard operating policies and procedures of the host department and NHS organisation and adhere to high standards of professionalism, health and safety, risk reduction, confidentiality, patient care and dignity, and respect for equality and diversity as set out in the NHS Constitution.

Job responsibilities

• To act as a Trainee Echocardiographer performing cardiac echocardiography based diagnostic testing.
• To work towards becoming a BSE accredited Echocardiographer and complete a PGCert in Echocardiography.
• To work within existing local policies, procedures, and guidelines providing best practice.
• To undertake routine diagnostic cardiac investigations and interpret results to provide accurate clinical reports that can be clearly understood by a physician not experienced in that particular area and adheres to local and national guidelines.
• Carry out audit to continuously improve patient care and service needs.
• Participate in the training and development of both external university students and junior team members.
• Communicate and interact effectively with a multidisciplinary team to ensure a positive patient experience.
• Assist the Clinical Echocardiography Service Leads and other senior members of the team in the day to day organisation and delivery of the Cardio-Respiratory diagnostic service.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• 2:1 BSc (Hons) Degree in Cardiac Physiology (PTP) or a relevant scientific degree such as Biology, Human Biology, or Sports Science
• AHCS Registration
• Current ILS certification

Knowledge, experience & expertise

• An understanding of the role of an Echocardiographer in healthcare and its application in a healthcare setting
• Ability to support patients including those with a range of acute or chronic clinical conditions and disabilities in a variety of healthcare settings
• A basic understanding of quality control and management assurance in a science or work-based context
• Ability to develop proficiency in the performance of routine and complex techniques in Echocardiography following Standard Operating Procedures
• Ability to analyse and assess scientific, technical, and medical literature
• Ability to use, maintain and troubleshoot scientific equipment
• Ability to analyse complex information and identify abnormal results
• A basic knowledge to formulate a clinical judgement involving facts or situations that impact on patients
• Previous NHS experience and/or work experience in a Cardiology Department

Communication & relationships

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with a proven ability to organise own time
• Ability to work under pressure and endure long periods of concentration
• Effective team worker, willing to adopt a role working in collaboration with others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to relate and communicate with staff of all levels and from different professions
• Be able to accept responsibility and be accountable
• Flexibility to acquire the skills to organise, plan and monitor the workload of others
• Self-aware and flexible to adopt a range of evaluative or empathising listening styles according to the needs of the listener and the situation
• Reliable and flexible
• Punctual and an effective timekeeper
• Good understanding of ethics and professional practice, the NHS constitution, and the importance of patient centred care
• Proven knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity issues

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.

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Head of Cardiac and Respiratory Physiology Service
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust